General Psychology I

Ground Rules

  • Attendance is compulsory: Students must be present for all classes.
  • Punctuality: Arrive on or before class time.
  • Phone etiquette: Keep phones silent and stored away during lessons.
  • Clarifications: Students are encouraged to ask questions if they have any doubts during class.
  • No food: Eating in the classroom is not allowed.
  • Notebook maintenance: A dedicated notebook must be used to take notes and record important information.
  • Break time: A 15-minute break is provided during classes.
  • Deadlines: Adherence to assignment and homework deadlines is mandatory.
  • Communication: Contact the instructor at abiramykanesathas@yahoo.com for any inquiries.

Today's Learning Objectives

  • What is Psychology?
  • History of Psychology?

Definition of Psychology

  • Origin: The term "Psychology" is derived from two Greek words:
    • Psyche: Meaning "mind"
    • Logos: Meaning "science"
  • Scientific Definition:
    • Psychology is the science of cognitive processes and behavior.
    • It emphasizes empirical research and evidence-backed findings.
  • Cognitive Processes: Refers to mental activities such as thinking, memory, and perception.
  • Behavior: The observable actions and responses made by individuals.

Historical Overview of Psychology

  • Foundational Ideas: Psychology intertwined with philosophy and physiology.
    • Explores the link between the body (physiological processes) and the mind (cognitive processes).
  • Early Philosophers and Physiologists:
    • Rene Descartes (1596 - 1650): Proposed dualism, where the mind and body are distinct yet interact via the pineal gland.
    • Interactionalism: Recognizes the mutual influence between mind and body.
  • Physiological Contributions (1860-1880):
    • Johannes Muller: Investigated how electrical signals are conducted by nerves.
    • Hermann von Helmholtz: Studied how sensory receptors in the eyes and ears interpret external stimuli.
    • Gustav Fechner: Developed methods for measuring perceptions of physical stimuli.

Establishment of Psychology as a Science

  • Key Milestones:
    • 1876: Alexander Bain published the journal Mind and contributed significantly to psychology education.
    • 1879: Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig, Germany.
    • 1883: Stanley Hall set up the first psychology lab in the USA at Johns Hopkins University.
    • 1892: Hall founded the American Psychological Association.
    • 1893: By this year, 24 universities across the USA had established psychology laboratories.

Early Schools of Thought in Psychology

  • Structuralism:
    • Focused on identifying the basic structures of the human mind.
    • Promoted by Wilhelm Wundt through the method of introspection, where individuals report their conscious experiences.
  • Functionalism:
    • Concentrated on the functions of consciousness and its role in adapting to the environment. Influenced by Darwin’s theory of natural selection.
    • Key figures include William James.
  • Behaviorism:
    • Advocated for studying observable behaviors rather than internal mental processes.
    • Led by psychologists like John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner.

Gestalt Principles of Perception

  • Good Figure: Objects grouped together are perceived as a single shape; there is a tendency to simplify visual information.
  • Proximity: Items close together are grouped as related.
  • Similarity: Objects resembling each other are viewed as part of the same set.
  • Continuation: Overlapping objects are perceived as continuous forms.
  • Closure: Viewers tend to perceive a completed form even when parts are missing.
  • Symmetry: Items are perceived as symmetrical shapes arranged around a center.

Group Activity

  • Assignment: Prepare a timeline documenting key contributions to the history of psychology, including:
    • Year
    • Name of Contributor
    • Contribution to Psychology