Unit 1 Scientific Foundations of Psychology - People

Wilhelm Wundt

• established the first psychology laboratory in 1879 in Leipzig, Germany

• Pionereed introspection as a method to study conscious experience (emphasized systematic observation and measurement)

• considered the father of structuralism (aimed to analyze the basic elemtns of consicousness through introspection).

William James

• introduced functionalism (adaptive functions of behavior and mental processes in helping organisms survive and thrive)

• wrote the “Principles of Psychology” a novel that helped create psychology as a distinct field of study

• emphasized the important of studying individual differences and the role of consciousness in shaping behavior

Charles Darwin

• his theory of evolution by natural selection created an understanding on the origins and development of species, including human.

• influenced evolutionary psychology which is a field that examines how psychological processes have evolved to solve adaptive problems

• laid the groundwork for understanding the evolutionary basis of behavior and cogntition in humans.

Sigmund Freud

• developed psychoanalysis (a theory of personality and therapuetic approach that emphaiszes the role of unconscious conflicts in shaping behavior).

• introduced unconscious mind, defense mechanisms, and psychosexual stages of development.

• very controversial

Ivan Pavlov

• classical condition (how neutral stimuli could elicit reflexive responses through association)

• experiment with dogs (dogs salivaiton)

• influenced development of behaviorism and provided insights into the role of conditioning and shaping behavior.

John B. Watson

• founder of behaviorism (emphasizes the study of observable behavior and rejects the importance of inner mental states).

• Conducted the “little Albert” experiment (showed that fear could through associative learning).

• rise of behaviorism as dominant perspective during the early 20th century.

B.F. Skinner

• expanded on the principals of operant condition (behavior is shaped by its consequences through reinforcement and punishment)

• influenced eduation, therapy, animal training, highlighting the role of reinforcement and behavior change.

Albert Bandura

• introduced the social learning theory (emphasizes the importance of observational learning, imitation, and modeling in shaping behavior)

• conudcted the Bobo doll experiment (children learn aggresive behaviors through observation and imitation).

• emphasized the role of self-efficacy in motivation and behavior, highlighting the importance of perceived competence and control

Abraham Maslow

• developed the hierarchy of needs theory (proposes that human motivation is driven by a hierarchy of needs ranging from basic physiological needs to self-actualization.

• emphasized the importance of self-actualization, the realization of one’s full potential, in ahiceving psychological growth and fulfillment.

• humanistic perspective focused on the positive aspects of human nature and the potential for self-directed personal grwoth.

Carl Rogers

• founded client-centered therapy (person centered therapy) emphasizing empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness in therapuetic relationship

• introduced self-concept, the individual’s perception of themselves, and its role in psycholgical funcitoning.

• humanistic approahc

  • emphasized the importance of subjective experiences and personal growth, influencing counseling and therapy practices.