The Science of Psychology

1. The Science of Psychology Chapter 1

2. Chapter 1 Learning Objective Menu • LO 1.1 Definition, goals, and philosophical influences of psychology • LO 1.2 Structuralism and functionalism • LO 1.3 Early Gestalt, psychoanalysis, and behaviorism

3. Why / How / What If? • Why? Well, it is an introduction course thus definitions and history are included! • Undergo through basic process of introspection and measuring one’s reflexes for structuralism. • What if there is no psychology up to this date? Menu

4. LO 1.1 Definition, goals, an d philosophical influences of psychology What is Psychology? • Psychology - scientific study of behavior and mental processes. - Behavior - outward or overt actions and reactions. - Mental processes - internal, covert activity of our minds such as feelings, dreams, motives, memory, and other subjective experiences. - Scientific study - Prevent possible biases from leading to faulty observations. Precise and careful measurement and methodology.

5. LO 1.1 Definition, goals, an d philosophical influences of psychology Psychology’s Four Goals • Description • What is happening? • Explanation • Why is it happening? • Theory - general explanation of a set of observations or facts • Prediction • Will it happen again? 4. Control • How can it be changed?

6. LO 1.1 Definition, goals, an d philosophical influences of psychology Philosophical Influences • A Question: How are mind and body related? • René Descartes (1596–1650)—Interactive dualism • The mind and body interact to produce conscious experience BIG

7. LO 1.1 Definition, goals, an d philosophical influences of psychology Philosophical Influences BIG • Another Question: Nature vs. Nurture • Are abilities determined by our genes or our experiences? • What are the interactions between genetics and environment? Menu

8. LO 1.2 Structuralism and functionalism Structuralism • Structuralism - focused on structure or basic elements of the mind. • Wilhelm Wundt’s psychology laboratory • Germany in 1879 • Edward Titchener - Wundt’s student; brought structuralism to America. • Developed the technique of objective introspection – process of objectively examining and measuring one’s thoughts and mental activities. Also focused on basic sensory and perceptual processes such as reflex action. • Structuralism died out in early 1900s due to infighting.

9. LO 1.2 Structuralism and functionalism Structuralism - Introspection What exactly are you FEELING right now? _________________________________ _________________________________ What exactly are you THINKING right now? _________________________________ _________________________________

10. LO 1.2 Structuralism and functionalism Structuralism – Measuring Reflex Place the tip of the ruler (at 0) where the index finger and thumb is for your classmate then release it and your classmate should catch the ruler. Measure how many cm it dropped before it was caught and record it below. Two tries each. Student A Student B Student C ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

11. LO 1.2 Structuralism and functionalism Other Notable Pioneers • Margaret Washburn (1871-1939) • Titchener’s student • First woman to earn a Ph.D. in psychology. • Mary Whiton Calkins (1863-1930) • Student of James (Functionalism) • First woman president of APA Why are they notable? ________________________

12. LO 1.2 Structuralism and functionalism Functionalism • Functionalism - how the mind allows people to adapt, live, work, and play. • William James • Influenced the modern fields of: • Educational psychology • Evolutionary psychology • Industrial/organizational psychology Menu

13. LO 1.3 Early Gestalt, psychoanalysis, and behaviorism Gestalt Psychology • Gestalt – “good figure” psychology. • Sensation and perception. • Gestalt ideas are now part of the study of cognitive psychology, which also includes learning, memory, thought processes, and problem solving. • What do you see in the pictures on the right? Whole is greater than the sum of its parts!

14. LO 1.3 Early Gestalt, psychoanalysis, and behaviorism Psychoanalysis • Psychoanalysis - the theory and therapy based on the work of Sigmund Freud. • Freud’s patients suffered from nervous disorders with no found physical cause. • Freud proposed that there is an unconscious (unaware) mind into which we push, or repress, all of our threatening urges and desires. • He believed that these repressed urges, in trying to surface, created nervous disorders. • Freud stressed the importance of early childhood experiences.

15. LO 1.3 Early Gestalt, psychoanalysis, and behaviorism Behaviorism • Behaviorism - the science of behavior that focuses on observable behavior only. • Must be directly seen and measured. • Proposed by John B. Watson. • Based much from work of Ivan Pavlov who demonstrated that a reflex could be conditioned (learned). • Watson believed that phobias were learned. • Case of “Little Albert” – taught to fear a white rat. Menu

16. 1. What are the four goals of psychology? ________ ________ ________ ________ Answer the following as True or False: 2. Freud believed that unconscious urges repressed create nervous disorders? ______ 3. You did some activities to facilitate your learning for structuralism. ______ 4. Gestalt Psychology is now part of Psychodynamic perspective. ______ 5. Behaviorism is to Watson as Psychodynamic / Psychoanalysis is to Freud? ______ 6. Why is psychology a science? __________________ ____________________________________________