Introduction to Psychology

What Is Psychology?

Etymology: Psych = soul, Ology = scientific study.
Definition: Scientific study of the mind and behavior.
Scope: Encompasses human brain function, consciousness, memory, language, reasoning, personality, and mental health.

History Of Psychology

Structuralism (Wilhelm Wundt): Focused on understanding conscious experience through introspection; established the first psychology lab in Leipzig in 1879.
Functionalism (William James): Emphasized how mental activities facilitate adaptation to the environment; influenced by Darwinism.
Psychoanalytic Theory (Sigmund Freud): Stressed the role of the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences in affecting behavior; utilized dream analysis and free association to explore unconscious conflicts.
Gestalt Psychology (Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, Wolfgang Kohler): Focused on perception of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts; studied sensations and perceptions as complete units rather than discrete components.
Behaviorism (Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, B.F. Skinner): Focused on observable behavior and how it is learned through conditioning; rejected the study of internal mental states.
- Ivan Pavlov: Known for classical conditioning with dogs.
- John B. Watson: Extended behaviorism to human emotion (Little Albert experiment).
- B.F. Skinner: Developed operant conditioning, focusing on reinforcement and punishment.
**Humanistic Psychology (Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers): ** Emphasized the innate good in humans and the potential for self-actualization;focused on personal growth and free will.
- Abraham Maslow: Proposed the hierarchy of needs.
- Carl Rogers: Developed client-centered therapy.
**Cognitive Psychology (Ulric Neisser, Jean Piaget): ** Focused on mental processes such as memory, perception, language, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
- Ulric Neisser: Coined the term "cognitive psychology."
- Jean Piaget: Studied cognitive development in children.