PHB Lecture 1 Part 1 - Slides

Lecture Overview

• Date: 4/03/2025

• Course: BEHV1018 Psychology: Human Behaviour

• Lecture 1: The Science of Mind and Behaviour

• Instructor: Dr. David Caelum Arness

• Topics Covered:

  • What is psychology? (a brief history)

  • Major theoretical perspectives in psychology

  • Integrating perspectives in psychology

Defining Psychology

• What is psychology?

  • Defined as the science of mind and behaviour.

  • Mind and behaviour are influenced by multiple domains.

  • Various theories and perspectives explain mental and behavioural processes.

  • Psychology employs scientific methods to investigate these processes.

A Brief History of Psychology

• Roots:

  • Originated from philosophy, examining large questions of reality.

  • Psychology focuses on individual behaviour in specific contexts.

• Establishment as a Discipline:

  • Psychology established as a scientific discipline with Wilhelm Wundt's laboratory in 1879.

Major Philosophical Approaches in Early Psychology

• Structuralism:

  • Concerned with understanding the mental architecture.

  • Focuses on breaking down mental processes into their basic components.

• Functionalism:

  • Views mental processes as tools for adaptation.

  • Emphasizes the purpose of mental processes in helping individuals survive and thrive.

• Relationship Between Perspectives:

  • Structuralism and functionalism are not mutually exclusive and often overlap in their applications.

• Complexity of Mental Processes:

  • Understanding people in their ecological context is crucial for appreciating the complexity of mental processes.