Psychology’s Modern History Summary

Key Learning Goals

  • Discuss how historical events contributed to the emergence of psychology in the West as a profession.

  • Describe two trends emerging in the 1950s and 1960s that represented a return to psychology's intellectual roots in the West.

  • Explain why Western psychology has shown an increased interest in cultural variables in recent decades.

  • Discuss the emergence and basic ideas of evolutionary psychology and positive psychology.

Reality Check

Misconception vs. Reality

  • Misconception: Psychologists have always been involved in the treatment of mental illness.

  • Reality: For the first 60 years of its existence as an independent discipline, psychology had little role in mental illness treatment, which was dominated by psychiatry. Psychologists were mostly academics and researchers until post-World War II.

1.2 Psychology's Modern History

  • Main Storyline: Early history involved a transition to a research-based science, credited to pioneers like Wundt, James, Watson, Pavlov, and Skinner. Psychology evolved into a multifaceted scientific and professional discipline with expanding boundaries and interests.

1.2.1 Psychology Comes of Age as a Profession

  • Applied Psychology: Focused on practical applications; clinical psychology (diagnosis and treatment of disorders) came to prominence post-WWII.

  • World War II Influence: Psychologists were drafted into clinical roles due to soldier trauma, leading to a significant increase in clinical psychology training and demand. By the late 1950s, nearly half of new PhD graduates specialized in clinical psychology.

  • Expansion: Besides clinical psychology, applied psychology now includes educational and industrial/organizational psychology, among others.

1.2.2 Psychology Returns to Its Roots: Renewed Interest in Cognition and Physiology

  • Cognition: Refers to mental processes involved in knowledge acquisition; dominated by behaviorism for decades.

  • 1950s-1960s Trend: Emergence of cognitive psychology, inspired by the analogy between human cognition and computer processing (Herbert Simon's contributions).

  • Importance of Cognition: An understanding of internal mental events is essential for explaining human behavior, indicating a clear shift in psychological focus.

1.2.3 Psychology Broadens Its Horizons: Increased Interest in Cultural Diversity

  • Historical Context: Traditionally focused on universal principles of behavior, often neglecting non-Western perspectives and ethnic diversity.

  • Recent Shift: Advances in communication and increased multiculturalism prompt psychologists to incorporate cultural variables into research, enhancing the relevance and applicability of psychological theories.

1.2.4 Psychology Adapts: The Emergence of Evolutionary Psychology

  • Evolutionary Psychology: A new theoretical framework suggesting that behaviors are products of evolution, akin to physical traits.

  • Key Premise: Natural selection favors behaviors that enhance reproductive success; e.g., aggression seen as a survival advantage.

  • Development: Gained traction in the late 1980s, with significant studies on behaviors like mating preferences and aggression.

1.2.5 Psychology Moves in a Positive Direction

  • Positive Psychology Initiated by Martin Seligman: A response to the overly negative focus of psychology, inspired by a personal epiphany about positivity.

  • Focus Areas:

    • Positive subjective experiences (e.g., happiness, love)

    • Positive individual traits (e.g., courage, creativity)

    • Positive institutions and communities (e.g., promoting supportive environments)

  • Growth: Publications in this field have surged, indicating its establishment as a vibrant area of scientific research.