PSY 101: CHAPTER 1

Chapter 1: The Evolution of Psychology

Overview of Psychology’s History

• Psychology’s Early History: Involves the foundational theories and practices in psychology pre-20th century.

• Psychology’s Modern History: Development of psychology as a recognized discipline and its institutionalization in universities.

• Psychology Today: The field is vibrant, encompassing diverse methodologies and specializations.

Seven Unifying Themes

1. Psychology is empirical.

2. Psychology is theoretically diverse.

3. Psychology evolves in a sociohistorical context.

4. Behavior is determined by multiple causes.

5. Behavior is shaped by cultural heritage.

6. Heredity and environment jointly influence behavior.

7. People’s experience of the world is highly subjective.

Improving Academic Performance

• During Class: Actively take notes, pay attention to cues, and ask questions.

• Outside of Class: Establish a study schedule, create a distraction-free study environment, and reward your studying efforts.

Common Assumptions about Psychology

• What comes to mind when you think about psychology?

Myths in Psychology

Myths Examined

• You only use 10% of your brain: Misconception regarding brain capacity.

• Playing classical music increases infant intelligence: No scientific evidence supports this claim.

• Hypnosis retrieves repressed memories: Misleading idea with insufficient backing from psychological research.

Further Myths

• Opposites attract: Contrary to popular belief; similar people often form stronger connections.

• People with schizophrenia have multiple personalities: A common misconception about mental health disorders.

Psychology as a New Science

• Original Definition: Originally defined as the study of the mind.

• Parent Disciplines: Psychology has roots in physiology and philosophy.

• Institutional Milestones: No dedicated psychology departments existed until the late 19th century.

• Wilhelm Wundt: Established the first psychology laboratory in 1879, marking psychology’s transition to a scientific discipline.

• New Definition: Psychology as the scientific study of consciousness, which refers to awareness of immediate experiences.

Key Psychological Theories

Structuralism vs. Functionalism

• Structuralism: Focused on the components of consciousness; analyzed sensations and feelings via laboratory studies.

• Functionalism: Developed by William James; emphasized the function of mental processes and behavior adaptation to real-world demands.

Early Research Labs in North America

• Development of psychology labs began in the late 19th century at institutions such as:

  • Clark University (1889)

  • University of Toronto (1890)

  • Princeton University (1893)

• Other institutions significantly contributed to early psychological research.

Women Pioneers in Psychology

• Mary Whiton Calkins: Early psychologist known for her work on self-psychology.

• Margaret Floy Washburn: The first woman to earn a doctorate in psychology.

• Women made significant contributions despite historical challenges.

Freud and Psychoanalysis

Key Concepts

• Psychoanalysis: Focuses on the unconscious mind, which includes thoughts, memories, and desires that influence behavior.

• The Unconscious: Drives behaviors—often unknown to the individual.

Psychoanalytic Perspective (1900-present)

• Principal Contributors: Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Alfred Adler.

• Fundamental Premise: Early childhood experiences and unconscious motives govern personality and mental disorders.

John Watson and Behaviorism

Key Ideas

• Watson opposed Freud's ideas, asserting psychology should focus on observable behaviors.

• Behaviorism: Defined psychology as the scientific study of behavior, emphasizing environmental influences.

• Animal Research: Behaviorism encouraged research on animal subjects.

Behaviorism Perspective (1913-present)

• Key Contributors: John B. Watson, Ivan Pavlov, B.F. Skinner.

• Basic Premise: Behavior can only be scientifically studied through observable phenomena (stimulus-response).

Carl Rogers and Humanism

Humanistic Psychology

• Focuses on personal growth and self-concept, positing that all individuals strive for the best version of themselves.

• Emphasis: Unique human qualities and the potential for personal development.

Humanistic Perspective (1950s-present)

• Major Contributors: Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow.

• Basic Premise: Humans are rational beings with the capacity for personal growth, fundamentally distinct from animals.

Cognitive Perspective (1950s-present)

Overview

• Principal Contributors: Jean Piaget, Noam Chomsky, Herbert Simon.

• Focus: Mental processes and how they affect behavior and understanding.

Biological Perspective (1950s-present)

• Key Contributors: James Olds, Roger Sperry, David Hubel, Torsten Wiesel.

• Concept: Biological factors, including anatomy and biochemistry, explain behavior.

Evolutionary Perspective (1980s-present)

• Principal Contributors: David Buss, Margo Wilson, Leda Cosmides, John Tooby.

• Core Idea: Behavior patterns are evolved traits selected for reproductive success.

Major Schools of Thought in Psychology

• Understanding trends through keywords in psychological literature from 1950 to 2005: Cognitive, Behavioral, Psychoanalytic, Neuroscience perspectives.

Current Definition of Psychology

• Psychology as a Science: Studies behavior and cognitive processes; applies knowledge to practical problems.

Working as a Psychologist

• Breakdown of working environments:

  • Hospitals and clinics: 33.6%

  • Private practice: 19.4%

  • Colleges and universities: 28.0%

• Other sectors include business, government, and education.

Major Specialties in Psychology

• Distribution:

  • Clinical: 72.1%

  • School: 6.1%

  • Industrial/organizational: 14.7%

• Other domains include counseling and miscellaneous services.

Major Research Areas in Modern Psychology

• Health, educational, social, physiological, developmental psychology among others represent research diversity.

Topics to Know

• Psychology as a science.

• Influence of sociocultural context on research.

• Key differences in major theoretical perspectives.

• Contributions of foundational figures such as Wundt, James, Freud, Calkins, Watson, and Rogers.