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The Birth of Psychology

The Birth of Psychology. Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning. Defining Psychology. Defined-The study of behavior and mental processes Goals of Psychology To fulfill a genuine curiosity about behavior To study behavior by observation

boris-thornton
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The Birth of Psychology

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  1. The Birth of Psychology Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning

  2. Defining Psychology • Defined-The study of behavior and mental processes • Goals of Psychology • To fulfill a genuine curiosity about behavior • To study behavior by observation • To understand the contributions of genetics and environment (social and cultural) in behavior and mental process • To study behavior using methods that deem the study scientific

  3. The Roots of Psychology • In the late 1800’s both physiologists and philosophers will be investigating the mind • Philosophy • Provides the undying questioning of “why” • Physiology • Provides the methodology that will be used to answer “how”

  4. Psychology-A scientific discipline • Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) • Works to have psychology become an independent science • Founds the 1st psychology laboratory in Germany (1879) • Founds the 1st journal dedicated to publishing research in psychology (1881) • Wundt defines psychology as the study of conscious experience

  5. Psychology Comes to America • G. Stanley Hall (1846-1924) • A student of Wundt • Establishes 1st American laboratory dedicated to the study of Psychology at Johns Hopkins (1883) • Founded 1st American journal dedicated to publishing work of psychologists (1887) • Founded American Psychological Association (1892)

  6. Competing Schools of Thought That Shape Psychology • Structuralism • Wundt and Titchener were primary contributors to this school of thought • Structuralism focused on the structure of consciousness • Premise-The content of conscious experience can be analyzed into its basic elements

  7. Competing Schools of Thought That Shape Psychology • Functionalism • William James and G. Stanley Hall were the primary proponents • Interested in studying the functions of consciousness • Premise-the function of a conscious experience in providing adaptation of the organism is more important than the structure of that conscious experience

  8. Current Perspectives in Psychology

  9. Research Perspectives • Developmental Psychology • Social Psychology • Experimental Psychology • Physiological Psychology • Cognitive Psychology • Personality • Psychometrics

  10. Applied Perspectives/a short list • Clinical Psychology-provide counseling to clients with psychological disorders • Counseling Psychology-provide counseling to clients with more day to day problems • Educational and School Psychology-work to improve the delivery of education to students

  11. Applied Perspectives/a short list • Industrial and Organizational Psychology-work to improve work conditions, productivity and morale in business and industry • Sports Psychology-work to train athletes in mental preparation for performance • Forensic Psychology-as an example, work to provide profiles of criminal behavior, to advise on the psychology of courtroom proceedings

  12. In Such a Diverse Science, What Holds It All Together • The Desire to: • Describe • Predict • Understand & Control Behavior

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