Chapter 1 Module 1 - History and Scope of Psychology

Psychology

the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context

Structuralism

a theory that analyzes the adult mind by breaking it down into its simplest components and studying how they work together

- associated with Edward B. Titchener

- lack of reliability

Functionalism

focuses on the purpose and utility of behavior and how ti helps humans adapt to their environment

- associated with William James

-stream of conscious thinking

Wihelm Wundt

- Established the first psychology lab in 1879

- his work heavily influenced the development of the theoretical perspective known as structuralism

- Atoms of the mind

William James

Father of American Psychology

- inspired by darwinism, the theory of evolution

- created functionalism

Behaviorism

A theoretical orientation based on the premise that scientific psychology should study only observable behavior

- behaviors learned through conditioning

B.F. Skinner

leading behaviorist that rejected introspection and studied how consequences shape behavior

John Watson

Early behaviorist; famous for the "Little Albert" experiments on fear conditioning

biopsychosocial approach

a way of understanding health and illness by considering the complex interactions between biological, psychological, and social factors

George Engel

his ideas became known as the biosychosocial model