Unit 1: Psychology's History and Approaches

Unit

Psychology

Scientific study of behavior and mental processes of humans and animals

William Wundt

Known as the father of psychology and would establish the first lab for psychology in 1879

Edward B. Titchener

Introduced perspective of Structuralism. Used introspection to study elements of the mind like Images, sensations, and feelings

Introspection

Process of looking inward to directly observe one’s own psychological processes

Charles Darwin

Father of Evolution and would come up with Natural selection of mental and physical traits

William James

Introduced perspective of Functionalism

Functionalism

Assumes that structures of consciousness must serve a function

-How do behaviors help us adapt to our environment

Stanley Hall

Established the 1st American Psychology lab and president of APA. Often focused on childhood development and evolutionary psychology.

Sigmund Freud

Developed the Psychoanalytical theory. Believes in unconscious forces that influence our development

Psychoanalysis/Psychodynamic

Perspective in psychology where unconscious forces and childhood experiences influences our behavior and mental processes

-Internal conflicts hidden from conscious mind

Mary Whiton Calkins

Famous memory researcher who became first woman president of APA

Francis Sumner

First Blak American to get a PHD in psychology

Kurt K

Gestaltism

Study on the dynamic organization of experience into patterns or configurations

-Focuses on parts of the whole

-Sensation and perception

John B. Watson, BF Skinner, Mary Cover Jones

Founders of Behaviorism

Behaviorism

How learned and observable behaviors impact mental processes

-Psychology should be an objective science

-Observable and measurable behavior should only be studied

Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow

Founders of Humanism

Humanism

How the drive for personal growth and self actualization impact behavior and mental processes

-Belief humans strive to reach their full potential

-Stress importance of unconditional love and personal growth

-Rejects both Behaviorism and Psychoanalytic psych.

Nature Vs. Nurture

Debate around weather mental processes are biological or learned

Gender

Socially constructed roles and characteristics by which a culture defines male and female

Cognitive Perspective

How interpretations of situations and mental processes impact behavior and mental processes

-Mental processes: Thinking, perceiving, learning, solving problems

Biological Perspective

Exam how biological and physiological processes impact behavior and mental processes

-Genetics, neural, hormonal influences emphasized

Evolutionary Psychology

Study of how behaviors and mental processes present in the species today exist because of natural selection

-Passing down of traits from generation to generation

Behavior Genetics

The study of relative influence and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior and mental processes

-Twin studies

Positive Psychology

Study of human flourishing

-Goal to discover and promote human strength and virtues

-Strengthening individual and communities

Social Cultural Perspective

How behavior and thinking vary accruing across situations and cultures

-Cultural impacts: Perception of time, ideal personal space, beliefs of marriage and sex, emotional displays