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Learning Objectives

  • Define psychology.
  • Identify and describe the main schools of thought in the history of psychology, including: structuralism, functionalism, psychoanalytic theory, gestalt psychology, behaviorism, humanism and cognitive psychology.
  • Identify the branches of contemporary psychology.
  • Know what careers are available in the field of psychology.

What is Psychology?

  • Psych – Mind
  • Ology – Study of
  • Definition: the scientific study of the mind and behavior.
  • Figure 1.2b: This photo shows Wundt seated and surrounded by fellow researchers and equipment in his laboratory in Germany.

History of Psychology

STRUCTURALISM and FUNCTIONALISM

  • Founding father of psychology — Wilhelm Wundt ( 1879 )
    • the first laboratory for psychological research
  • Structuralism
    • Characteristics of the conscious mind
    • Introspection
  • First American psychologist — William James
  • Functionalism
    • How mental activities contribute to survival
    • Role of Darwin — adaptation
  • Figure references: Figure 1.2a; Figure 1.3

PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY

  • Father of psychoanalysis — Sigmund Freud
  • Theorized that problems arose from the unconscious mind
  • Dream analysis to access the unconscious mind
  • Early childhood experiences
  • Freud’s Couch (credit: BBC)
  • Figure 1.4a

GESTALT PSYCHOLOGY

  • Gestalt — “Whole”
  • "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" in sensory experience
  • Ideas continue to influence research on sensation and perception
  • Kohler, Koffka, Wertheimer (credit: Elearning Industry)

BEHAVIORISM

  • Father of behaviorism — John B. Watson
    • Objective analysis of the mind was impossible
    • Focus on observable behavior and ways to bring behavior under control
  • Pavlov — classical conditioning
  • B. F. Skinner — operant conditioning
    • Modifying behavior through consequences (reinforcement and punishment)

HUMANISM

  • Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is shown
  • Client-centered therapy — Carl Rogers
  • Rogers believed therapists need:
    • unconditional positive regard
    • genuineness
    • empathy
  • Figure 1.8

THE COGNITIVE REVOLUTION

  • 1950s — new disciplinary perspectives in linguistics, neuroscience, and computer science were emerging
  • The mind became the new focus of scientific inquiry
  • Noam Chomsky — influential in beginning the cognitive revolution
  • Psychology needs to incorporate mental functioning to fully understand human behavior
  • Figure 1.9: In 2010, this mural honoring him was put up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (credit: Robert Moran)

Diversity in Psychology

  • Francis Cecil Sumner
  • Margaret Floy Washburn
  • White male dominance in early history of psychology
  • Margaret Floy Washburn (1894) — first woman to earn a doctorate in psychology
  • Naomi Weisstein (1968) — feminist revolution in psychology
  • Multicultural and cross-cultural psychology
  • People vary depending on their culture and environment
  • Francis Cecil Sumner (1920) — first African-American to earn a Ph.D. in psychology in the US
  • George I. Sanchez (1940) — Ph.D. psychologist of Mexican heritage

Branches of Contemporary Psychology

  • Biopsychology — structure and function of the nervous system
  • Sensation and Perception — physiological and psychological experience of sensory information
  • Cognitive Psychology — relationship between thoughts and experiences
  • Developmental Psychology — change throughout the lifespan
  • Personality Psychology — unique patterns of thought and behavior
  • Social Psychology — interactions and their effect on behavior
  • Health Psychology — biopsychosocial model
  • Clinical Psychology — diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders
  • Forensic Psychology — psychology and the justice system
  • Industrial-Organizational Psychology (management, work environment)
  • Sports and Exercise Psychology — performance anxiety, motivation

Careers in Psychology

  • Figure 1.17: Doctoral degrees are generally conferred in formal ceremonies involving special attire and rites. (credit: Public Affairs Office Fort Wainwright)
  • A few career options:
    • Teaching
    • Research
    • Clinical psychologist
    • Counseling psychologist
    • Social Work
    • Corporate and Marketing jobs

Employment in Different Sectors

  • Percent of 2009 Psychology Doctorates Employed in Different Sectors
  • 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\%
  • Source: Michalski, Kohout, Wicherski, & Hart, 2011
  • Figure 1.18: Individuals earning a PhD in psychology have a range of employment options.