History of Psychology

What event typically defines the start of scientific psychology?

The founding of Wilhelm Wundt’s psychology laboratory in 1879 at the University of Leipzig.

This is considered the official beginning of psychology as a scientific discipline.

Why did introspection fail as a method for understanding how the mind works?

Introspection failed because:

• It relied on subjective self‑reports, which varied from person to person.

• Results were unreliable and difficult to verify.

• Many mental processes occur unconsciously, so people cannot accurately describe them.

• It lacked scientific rigor and could not produce consistent, measurable data.

The school of ________ used introspection to define the mind’s makeup; __________ focused on how mental processes enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish.

The school of Structuralism used introspection to define the mind’s makeup; Functionalism focused on how mental processes enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish.

Structuralism used introspection.

Functionalism focused on adaptation and survival.

William James would be considered a(n)________. Wundt and Titchener would be considered _______.

• a) functionalist, structuralists

• b) structuralist, functionalists

• c) evolutionary theorist, structuralists

• d) functionalist, evolutionary theorists

William James would be considered a(n) functionalist. Wundt and Titchener would be considered structuralists.

• William James → functionalist

• Wundt & Titchener → structuralists

From the 1920s through the 1960s, the two major forces in psychology were ___________ and ______________.

From the 1920s through the 1960s, the two major forces in psychology were Behaviorism and psychoanalysis.

The ________-________ perspective in psychology focuses on how behavior and thought differ from situation to situation and from culture to culture, while the _____________ perspective emphasizes observation of how we respond to and learn in different situations.

The Socio-cultural perspective in psychology focuses on how behavior and thought differ from situation to situation and from culture to culture, while the Behavioral perspective emphasizes observation of how we respond to and learn in different situations.

• Sociocultural perspective → differences across cultures and situations

• Behavioral perspective → learning through observation, reinforcement, and conditioning

Nature is to nurture as

a) Personality is to intelligence

b) Biology is to experience

c) Intelligence is to biology

d) Psychological traits are to behaviors

Correct answer: b) Biology is to experience

• Nature → biological influences

• Nurture → environmental experiences

How have psychologists participated in the advancement of social issues?

Psychologists have contributed by:

• Conducting research that informs public policy (e.g., education, health, criminal justice).

• Providing evidence in legal cases (e.g., Brown v. Board of Education used psychological research on segregation).

• Developing therapies that improve mental health and well‑being.

• Studying prejudice, discrimination, conformity, obedience, and helping shape social reforms.

• Creating interventions to reduce violence, improve parenting, support marginalized groups, and promote equality.

If you want to study consumer behavior, choose two perspectives and describe how you could study consumer behavior from each perspective.

Cognitive Perspective

• Focus: how people think, perceive, and make decisions.

• Application: Study how consumers process advertisements, how memory influences brand loyalty, or how decision‑making biases affect purchases.

Behavioral Perspective

• Focus: how behavior is shaped by reinforcement, punishment, and conditioning.

• Application: Examine how reward programs (points, discounts) increase buying behavior, or how repeated exposure to a product conditions preference.