SlideDeck_Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Introduction to Psychology

What is Psychology?

• Definition: Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior.

  • Word Origin: "Psych" means soul and "ology" means the study of.

  • Psychologists examine all aspects of human experience: brain function, consciousness, memory, language, reasoning, personality, and mental health.

History of Psychology

• Structuralism: Understanding conscious experience through introspection (Wilhelm Wundt).

• Functionalism: Focus on how mental activities assist adaptation to the environment (William James).

• Psychoanalytic Theory: Emphasis on the unconscious mind impacting conscious behavior (Sigmund Freud).

• Gestalt Psychology: Focus on viewing humans as wholes rather than individual parts (Wertheimer, Koffka, Kohler).

• Behaviorism: Focus on observable behaviors (Pavlov, Watson, Skinner).

• Humanism: Emphasis on innate potential for goodness (Maslow, Rogers).

Key Figures in Psychology

Wilhelm Wundt (Structuralism)

• Credited as a founder of psychology and established the first lab for psychological research.

• Introspection: The method of examining one's own conscious experiences to understand the mind's structure.

William James (Functionalism)

• First American psychologist; focused on how mental processes contribute to environmental adaptation.

Sigmund Freud (Psychoanalytic Theory)

• Founded Psychoanalysis, focused on the unconscious mind; introduced dream analysis as a method to access it.

  • Studied hysteria and neurosis.

Gestalt Psychology

• Key proponents: Kohler, Koffka, Wertheimer.

• Concept: Perception is based on the relationships between individual sensory parts.

Ivan Pavlov (Classical Conditioning)

• Discovered classical conditioning through experiments with reflexes in dogs.

  • Conditioned a dog to salivate at the sound of a bell associated with food.

John B. Watson (Behaviorism)

• Advocated for the focus on observable behavior rather than introspection; known as the father of behaviorism.

B.F. Skinner (Operant Conditioning)

• Researched the effects of reinforcement and punishment on behavior.

• Known for the Skinner box, used to study operant conditioning.

Abraham Maslow (Humanism)

• Proposed a hierarchy of needs to motivate behavior; emphasized meeting basic needs for higher-level motivation.

Carl Rogers (Humanism)

• Developed client-centered therapy focusing on the patient's lead in therapy sessions.

  • Key principles: unconditional positive regard, genuineness, and empathy.

The Cognitive Revolution

• Emerged in the 1950s emphasizing the importance of mental processes in understanding behavior.

• Noam Chomsky: Influential in incorporating cognitive functioning into psychology, emphasizing the study of the mind.

Contemporary Psychology

• Branches:

  • Biopsychology and Evolutionary Psychology: Study of biological bases of behavior.

  • Sensation and Perception: Examines how sensory experience is interpreted.

  • Cognitive Psychology: Focus on cognition, thoughts, and their relation to behavior.

  • Developmental Psychology: Studies aging and maturation.

  • Personality Psychology: Investigates individual behaviors and thought patterns.

  • Social Psychology: Studies interactions and their effect on behavior.

  • Health Psychology: Focus on health influences from biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.

  • Clinical Psychology: Focus on diagnosing and treating psychological disorders.

  • Industrial-Organizational Psychology: Applies psychology in workplace settings.

  • Sports & Exercise Psychology: Studies psychological influences on physical performance.

  • Forensic Psychology: Links psychology and the legal system.

Careers in Psychology

• Requires at least a Master's or PhD degree.

  • Career options include teaching, research, clinical and counseling psychologists, social work, and business roles.

Employment in Different Sectors

• Statistics from 2009 psychology doctorates:

  • University: 26%

  • Hospital or health service: 25%

  • Government/VA medical center: 16%

  • Business or nonprofit: 10%

  • Other educational institutions: 8%

  • Medical school: 6%

  • Independent practice: 6%