Nature and application of Psychology , dec 2020

NATURE AND APPLICATION OF PSYCHOLOGY

• Psychology is a scientific study of the human mind and its functions.

• It encompasses a variety of fields and applications aimed at understanding behavior in various contexts.

DEFINITIONS AND ORIGINS OF PSYCHOLOGY

• Etymology:

  • Latin: "Psyche" means soul/mind + "logy" means study.

  • Greek: "Psyche" is soul/mind + "logus" is word/knowledge.

• Psychology is defined as the scientific study of consciousness and its associated phenomena, including feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.

KEY AREAS WITHIN PSYCHOLOGY

• Behavior and Mind:

  • Psychological study includes both conscious and unconscious phenomena, leveraging an understanding of brain functions.

  • Examines cognitive processes such as perception, cognition, emotion, and motivation.

• Application:

  • Psychological principles are applied in mental health treatment and problem-solving in numerous human activities.

  • Goals are aimed at benefiting society.

MYTHS ABOUT PSYCHOLOGY

• Common Misconceptions:

  • Only 10% of the brain is used: False.

  • Mozart's music increases intelligence: Lacks strong evidence.

  • Subliminal messaging works: Not as effective or reliable as claimed.

  • Hypnosis retrieves forgotten memories: Misleading claims.

  • The polygraph is reliable: Questionable accuracy.

  • Opposites attract in relationships: Oversimplifies romantic attraction dynamics.

  • Schizophrenia means multiple personalities: Incorrect understanding of the disorder.

• Source: Based on Lillenfeld et al. (2010).

HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY

• Foundational Background:

  • Philosophy and physiology shaped early psychological thought.

  • Questions arose about how bodily sensations are converted to mental experiences and the interaction of mind and body.

• Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920):

  • Pioneered psychology as an independent discipline.

  • His lab focused on scientific study of consciousness; influenced future psychological research.

  • Promoted rigorous experimental methods modeled after physical sciences.

• Growth of Psychology in North America:

  • Wundt's students established key research laboratories.

  • G. Stanley Hall established the first psychological lab in the U.S. at Johns Hopkins in 1883.

  • Hall founded the American Psychological Association (APA).

STRUCTURALISM AND FUNCTIONALISM

• Edward Titchener: Led structuralism, focusing on the analysis of consciousness into basic elements via introspection.

• William James: Functionalism’s advocate, emphasized the function of consciousness over structure, integrating ideas from Darwin's natural selection.

• Influence on Psychology:

  • Functionalists explored new topics such as educational practices and mental testing, helping to include women in the field.

FREUD AND UNCONSCIOUS MIND

• Sigmund Freud (1856-1939):

  • Developed psychoanalysis, emphasizing unconscious thoughts and inner conflicts.

  • Contributions included exploring dreams and the influence of unconscious desires on behavior.

  • Faced resistance yet fundamentally shaped modern psychology.

BEHAVIORISM

• John B. Watson (1878-1958):

  • Proposed that psychology should focus solely on observable behavior, dismissing introspection and the study of consciousness.

• Behaviorism emphasized environmental influences on behavior, asserting that humans are made by their experiences, not innate characteristics.

• B.F. Skinner extended behaviorism with operant conditioning principles.

HUMANISM

• Emerged in the 1950s as a response to behaviorism and psychoanalysis, championing the unique aspects of human potential and growth.

• Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow emphasized self-concept and personal growth as central to understanding human behavior.

MODERN HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY

• Growth of applied fields, such as clinical psychology, addressing real-world issues, especially in the context of post-World War II treatments.

• Renewed Interest in Cognition: Focus returned to unobservable mental processes and their relationship to behavior.

• Cultural Factors: Recognized the significance of cultural diversity in psychological research and treatment, addressing global interdependence.

• Evolutionary Psychology: Explores behavioral patterns shaped by evolution and natural selection.

• Positive Psychology: Founded on the study of positive aspects of human life, moving beyond pathology-focused approaches.

RESEARCH AREAS IN MODERN PSYCHOLOGY

• Major areas include developmental, social, experimental, physiological, cognitive, personality, psychometrics, educational, and health psychology.

• Professional specialties cover clinical, counseling, school, industrial-organizational, clinical neuropsychology, and forensic psychology.