AP Psych: Notes 1 - 3

Wilhelm Wundt

Father of psychology. Opened first lab in Germany. Used introspection. First to use scientific method to study consciousness.

Edward Titchener

Founder of structuralism: theory that the structure of conscious experience could be understood by analyzing the basic elements of thoughts and sensations.

William James

First American psychologist and author of the first psych textbook. Founder of functionalism: theory that emphasized the functions of consciousness (helping humans adapt to their environment).

Gestalt Psychology

Created by Max Wertheimer in response to structuralism. Emphasizes our tendency to integrate pieces of information to meaningful wholes (the sum of its parts).

Phi Phenomenon

Motion is perceived when there is nothing more than a rapid sequence of individual sensory events.

Sigmand Freud

Founder of psychoanalysis: Freud’s theory of personality and also a therapeutic technique that attempts to provide insights into thoughts and actions by exposing/understanding the underlying unconscious motives and conflicts

John Watson

Founder of behaviorism: theory that psychology should only study observable behaviors, not mental processes

B.F. Skinner

American behavioral psychology who developed the fundamental principles and techniques of operant conditioning (learning through rewards and observation)

Abraham Maslow

Humanistic psychologist who proposed his Hierarchy of Needs, with self-actualization as one of the ultimate/final needs

Carl Rogers

Humanistic psychologist who developed client-centered therapy and stressed the importance of acceptance, genuineness, and empathy

Humanistic Psychology

Perspective that focuses on the study of conscious experience, the individuals’s freedom to choose, and capacity/drive for personal growth

Jean Piaget

Pioneer in the study of developmental psychology by introducing of cognitive perspective leading to better understanding of children’s thought processes