Lesson 1 - Psychology as a Science - History Development and Evolution of Psychology.pptx

Introduction to Psychology

• Presented by: Jasper Ann P. Sta. Maria, RPm, MAEd

• Institution: Lyceum de San Pablo

Definition and Origin of Psychology

• Definition: Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, derived from Greek roots: "psyche" (mind) and "logos" (study).

• Historical Context:

  • First use of the term "psychology" by Rudolf Gockle in 1590.

  • Emergence of psychology as a distinct discipline established in the late 1800s.

Psychology as a Science

• Objectives:

  • Describe, explain, predict, and control behavior and mental processes.

  • Psychology is systematic and objective in studying human behavior and thoughts.

Early Philosophical Contributors

• Rene Descartes:

  • Developed rationalism and nativism, asserting that true knowledge comes from reasoning, and that inborn knowledge is imperative for reasoning.

  • Emphasized skepticism: "I think, therefore I am".

• John Locke:

  • Opposing view to Descartes; proposed that the mind is a blank slate (tabula rasa) at birth, and all knowledge is learned through experience.

Key Figures in Psychology's Scientific Development

• Hermann Helmholtz:

  • Mechanist perspective; believed in understanding phenomena through physical and chemical principles.

• Gustav Fechner:

  • Pioneer of psychophysics; investigated relationships between physical stimuli and conscious psychological experiences.

  • Developed the Just Noticeable Difference (JND) concept.

• Wilhelm Wundt:

  • Established the first psychological laboratory in 1879 at the University of Leipzig.

  • Authored "Principles of Physiological Psychology".

  • Viewed psychology as the study of consciousness, employed experimental methods, although his introspection method later criticized for scientific reliability.

The Story of Psyche in Greek Mythology

• Mythological narrative illustrating themes of love, jealousy, and transformation of Psyche into a goddess after overcoming trials.

Importance of the Scientific Method in Psychology

• Scientific Method Essentials:

  • Involves hypothesis formulation, observation, experimentation, and publication of results to verify findings.

  • A theory is a well-supported scientific explanation of a phenomenon.

  • Empirical methods are based on observable and measurable evidence.

Historical Context of Psychology

• Studying history enhances understanding of contemporary practices and foundational questions in psychology.

• Early roots trace to various global civilizations, including Egypt and Greece, with modern psychology emerging significantly in the 19th century.

Differences in Scientific Methods

• **Old vs New Scientific Method:

  • Old: Hypothesis formulation, data collection, experimentation.

  • New: Includes funding and commercialization aspects.

Research Goals in Psychology

• Aim to position psychology alongside other scientific fields like biology and chemistry to attain similar academic respect.

Core Components of the Scientific Method:**

1. Observation

2. Problem Definition

3. Hypothesis Proposal

4. Evidence Gathering

5. Theory Development

6. Result Publication

Considerations for Good Theories

• Parsimony: Theories should have minimal assumptions.

• Useful Predictive Power: Must lead to viable predictions.

Research Methodologies in Psychology

Operational Definitions

• Define concepts through operational terms, clarifying what they encompass or how they can be measured.

Sampling Techniques

• Varieties:

  • Convenience, Representative, Random, and Cross-Cultural samples.

Research Bias

• Types of Bias:

  • Experimenter Bias and Subject Bias (Hawthorne Effect).

• Strategies for Control: Blinding techniques (single and double-blind).

Research Design Types

Naturalistic Observation

• Study behavior in natural contexts, with examples from psychology and biology.

Case Histories

• Comprehensive evaluations of unique individuals or conditions, exemplified by significant historical figures in psychology.

Surveys

• Assessment tools for gathering prevalent behaviors or beliefs through specific questioning.

Correlational Studies

• Investigation of relationships between variables; correlation does not imply causation.

Experimental Design

• Emphasizes the manipulation of independent variables (IV) and measurement of dependent variables (DV).

• Discusses the importance of random assignment and control groups in experimental setups.

Ethical Considerations in Research

• APA Code of Ethics (1952): Protection of human rights and welfare in research practices.

  • Major concerns: Informed consent, confidentiality, volunteerism, and debriefing.

Statistical Analysis in Research

Descriptive Statistics

• Measures central tendency: Mean, Median, Mode; includes visual representations of data distribution.

Inferential Statistics

• Utilizes samples to infer population characteristics and test research hypotheses.

Conclusion

• The exploration of psychology's history and methodology is essential in understanding its principles and enriching the field's scientific rigor.

References

• A compilation of historical and educational resources concerning the development of psychology.