Snead 1 - Introduction to Psychology - Part 1(1) (1)

Chapter One

Introduction to Psychology

• Overview of the field of psychology

What is Psychology?

• Definition: The scientific study of mental processes and behavior

• Covers various influential factors affecting behavior

Goals of Psychology

• Describe behavior

  • Data: Observations related to a phenomenon

• Explain behavior

  • Theory: Explanation for phenomena, usually supported by data

• Predict behavior

  • Hypothesis: Specific predictions derived from theories

• Control behavior

  • Psychotherapy: Techniques aimed at changing undesirable behavior

Psychology Then: The History of Psychology

• An exploration of psychology’s historical foundations

The Roots of Psychology

• Rationalism:

  • Plato (427-347 B.C.) believed reason helps understand the world

• Empiricism:

  • Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) emphasized direct experience and observation

• Immanuel Kant (1724-1804): Acknowledged the value of both rationalism and empiricism

Birth of Psychology

• Wilhelm Wundt:

  • Considered the "Father of Psychology"; established first psychology lab in Leipzig, Germany (1879)

• Structuralism:

  • His method involved introspection to explore basic elements of the mind

An Alternative View

• William James:

  • Authored the first comprehensive psychology textbook, Principles of Psychology (1890)

• Functionalism:

  • Emphasized the practical use of the mind in everyday life

Another Dissenting Opinion

• Max Wertheimer:

  • Stressed that analyzing consciousness into parts destroys its essence

• Gestalt Psychology:

  • Highlights that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts

A Medical Perspective

• Sigmund Freud:

  • Proposed that repressed unconscious desires (notably sexual impulses) lead to nervous disorders

• Psychoanalysis:

  • Therapy derived from Freud’s theories

A Radical Departure

• John B. Watson:

  • Argued consciousness cannot be scientifically studied

• Behaviorism:

  • Focused on observable behavior and stimulus-response relationships

Psychology Now: Modern Perspectives

• Overview of contemporary psychological approaches

Psychodynamic Perspective

• A modified version of Freud’s theory focusing on unconscious drives but with less emphasis on sexual urges

Behavioral Perspective

• Concentration on environmental conditions that influence both involuntary and voluntary learning behaviors

Humanistic Perspective

• Belief in humanity's intrinsic goodness and pursuit of choices that fulfill potential, provided there’s unconditional support

Biopsychological Perspective

• Focus on biological underpinnings of thought and behavior, such as genetics and brain function

Cognitive Perspective

• Investigation of mental processes including thinking, memory, and information usage

Sociocultural Perspective

• Examines how others and cultural contexts influence individual behavior

Evolutionary Perspective

• Studies shared human characteristics and attributes them to natural selection

A Combination May Be Best…

• Most modern psychologists adopt an eclectic approach, addressing problems from multiple or varied perspectives.