PSYCH 2301 - Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - Introduction to Psychology

Psyche

Greek word meaning “soul”. It is represented by a butterfly symbol.

-ology (suffix)

suffix meaning the scientific study of a subject.

what makes psychology a true science

it relies on empirical evaluation and objective data collection.

Willhelm Wundt

The father of psychology. He established the first lab in 1879.

structuralism

early school analyzing the basic elements of conscious mind components.

Introspection (wundt’s version)

an objective examination of one’s own conscious experience under controlled conditions.

Edward Titchener

Wundt’s student who officially named and popularized Structuralism in America.

William James

The first American psychologist. He wrote the Principles of Psychology.

Functionalism

Early school studying how mental activities help organisms adapt to environment.

How did Darwin influence Functionalism

Led to tracking how behaviors evolve as survival adaptations.

Sigmund Freud

Austrian neurologist who founded the highly influential psychoanalytic theory.

Psychoanalytic Theory

Focuses on unconscious conflicts and early childhood experiences.

Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, Wolfgang Kohler

The co-founders of gestalt psychology who migrated to the US

Gestalt Psychology

focuses on sensory experiences viewed as a unified, structured whole.

John B. Watson

The father of behaviorism. He turned away from internal minds.

Behaviorism

School studying strictly observable, measurable behavioral actions without invoking minds.

B.F Skinner

Behaviorist famous for designing the Skinner Box conditioning chamber (rat box experiment)

Operant Conditioning Principles

Behavior is driven by environmental reinforcement and punishment consequences.

Humanism

Prespective emphasizing internal potential for good, self determination, and personal growth.

What was Abraham maslow’s core contribution

Proposed the hierarchy of human needs motivating personal actions.

What was Carl Rogers’ major contribution

Developed client-centered therapy emphasizing unconditional positive regard, genuineness, and empathy.

Cognitive Revolution

1950s movement that brought mental processes back to psychological science.

How did Noam Chomsky aid the Cognitive Revolution

Criticized behaviorist views of language; argued for innate mental structures.

Cross Cultural Psychology

Compares behaviors and processes across different international populations and cultures.

What historical barried did Mary Whiton Calkins face?

Denied her Harvard PhD because she was a woman; became first female APA president.

Margaret Floy Washburn’s historical milestone

First woman officially granted a PhD in psychology (1894)

Francis Cecil Sumner

The first African American to recieve a psychology PhD

What famous study did Kenneth and Mamie Clark conduct?

The doll studies, demonstrating negative effects of segregation on Black children.

Biopsychology

scientific study of immediate biological mechanisms underlying behaviors.

Evolutionary psychology

studies ultimate genetic adaptations that shaped human behavior across evolutionary history.

Sensation

physical sensory receptor activation by incoming environmental energy.

perception

psychological organization and interpretation of sensory inputs by the brain

Cognitive psychology

area studying thoughts, memory, attention, language, and problem-solving

developmental psychology

studies physical, cognitive, and social changes across a full lifespan

What is Jean Piaget famous for studying

changes in cognitive ability from infancy through adulthood.

personality psychology

focuses on unique, persistent patterns of thoughts and behaviors over time.

Personality traits

consistent patterns of thoughts and behavior across various long term situations

Five Factor Model (OCEAN): name the five major modern personality dimensions

openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism

Social psychology

studies how we interact with and are influenced by other people

What did Stanley Milgram’s classic study (Milgram’s obedience study) reveal?

high willingness of people to obey authority figures despite inflicting harm

Industrial Organizational (l-O) psychology

subfield applies psychological concepts to workplaces, businesses, and employees.

Health Psychology

Explores how biology, psychology, and social factors influence physical illness/wellness

Sport and Exercise Psychology

Studies psychological performance aspects like motivation, performance anxiety, and well being.

Clincal psychology

subfield focusing on diagnosing/treating clinical psychological disorder.

counseling psychology

subfield helping healthy individuals improve personal, social, and emotional adjustments.

Forensic Psychology

Subfield dealing with questions that

PhD

Doctor of Philosphy degree; emphasizes academic research skills

PsyD

Doctor of Psychology degree; emphasizes clinical application over research

Dissertation

Extensive original research paper required to complete a doctoral degree

Postdoctoral Training Program

Research positions allowing new graduates to deepen expertise before teaching.