Study Notes on Psychology Definitions and Historical Context

Defining Psychology

  • Psychology: Scientific study of the human mind and its functions, focusing on behavior in context.

Origins of Psychology

  • Roots in philosophy and biology.

  • Mind/Body/Brain Problem: Independence of mind, brain, and body.

  • Free Will vs. Determinism: Conscious control over actions vs. brain responses to stimuli.

  • Nature vs. Nurture: Influence of genetics vs. experiences on development.

Historical Development

  • Wilhelm Wundt: Established first psychological lab in 1879, studied components of experience.

  • Edward Titchener: Student of Wundt, introduced "structuralism"; used introspection in research.

  • William James: Introduced "functionalism"; emphasized purpose of mind's actions.

  • Sigmund Freud: Popularized psychology, introduced subconscious, repression, and psychoanalysis.

Major Shifts in Psychology

  • Behaviorism (1920s): Focus on measurable behaviors; reaction against mystical concepts of psychology.

  • Cognitive Revolution (1970s): Addressed limitations of behaviorism; new measurement techniques (EEG, fMRI) emerged.

Levels of Examining the Mind

  • Parts: Cells, Structures.

  • Individual: Thoughts, Emotions, Motivations.

  • Group: Environments, Events, Society.

Career Paths in Psychology

  • Fields: Business, Human Services, Education, Human Resources.

  • Roles: Counseling, crisis work, administration, research, teaching, recruitment, public relations.

Academic Paths in Psychology

  • Bachelor's, Master's, PhD (PsyD) options for specialties in counseling, research, therapy.

Class Objectives

  • For majors: Help decide on psychology as a major; prepare for upper division courses.

  • For non-majors: Useful life information, fun insights into psychology, applicable to various careers.