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PSYCHOLOGY

PSYCHOLOGY. Introduction, History and Methods. Psychology. Definition of Psychology (big Kahuna of a definition - memorize it!) The scientific study of behavior and mental processes Uses scientific research methods. Behavior includes all observable behavior.

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PSYCHOLOGY

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  1. PSYCHOLOGY Introduction, History and Methods

  2. Psychology • Definition of Psychology (big Kahuna of a definition - memorize it!) The scientific study of behavior and mental processes • Uses scientific research methods. • Behavior includes all observable behavior. • Mental processes include thoughts, feelings and dreams.

  3. Psychology’s Roots Prescientific Psychology • Is the mind connected to the body or distinct? • Are ideas inborn or is the mind a blank slate filled by experience?

  4. Gestalt Psychology • The whole is different from the sum of its parts. • A school of thought that looks at the human mind and behavior as a whole. • Integrate pieces of information into meaningful wholes.

  5. Gestalt Psychology What is this?

  6. What do you see?

  7. Now what do you see?

  8. Hmmm…

  9. Psychology’s Roots Psychological Science Develops • Wundt--German philosopher and physiologist • Tichener - English, Wundt’s student Structionalism • James--American philosopher, First American psychologist, Author of first psychology textbook, founder of functionalism • Pavlov--Russian physiologist • Freud--Austrian physician • Piaget--Swiss biologist

  10. Psychology’s Roots Figure 1- British Psychological Society membership

  11. Lab - Pendulum • Ouija board (ideamotor) effect • phenomenon wherein a subject makes motions unconsciously • tears • hot stove • sleepwalkers who respond to environment • AND….Ouija boards • http://www.tk421.net/gallery/sounds/twilight.wav

  12. Psychology’s Roots Psychological Science Is Born Empiricism • Knowledge comes from experience via the senses • Science flourishes through observation and experiment • Philosophical issues become psychological when tested empirically

  13. Psychology’s Roots • Wilhelm Wundt opened the first psychology laboratory at the University of Liepzig (c. 1879)

  14. Psychology’s Roots • A Nebraska and LHS Connection - tada!

  15. The Real H.K. Wolfe • 3 of his undergrad students became Presidents of APA • attended UN-L - emphasis in Philosophy • after graduation, taught public school for 3 years in Edgar NE • 1883 enrolled in University of Berlin and took courses in emerging science of Psych with Ebbinghaus • 1884 went to Liepzig to study with Wundt

  16. The Prodigal Son Returns… • 1889 - comes back to Lincoln with new wife (a doctor) and starts teaching UN-L as sole member of Philosophy dept. • added two new courses in experimental psych and begins building a lab • 1895 fired for encouraging students to challenge authority • by the next day, over 1,000 signatures collected by students in a petition

  17. was not re-instated • after a year without work accepted a position as supt. of Omaha schools - created many reforms • rocked the boat again - funding not supported and finally left to return to Lincoln where he Became Principal at LHS!!!!

  18. Wolfe’s time at LHS1902-1905 • 1200 students in a building built for 800 • behavior/discipling problems were rampant • instituted a system of self-government for students and mandated after school work for struggling students • After 3 years, offered Psych position at University of Montana • after 2 semesters, offered Ed. Psych job at UN-L

  19. Contemporary Psychology Psychology’s Big Issues • Nature-nurture controversy • the relative contribution that genes and experience make to development of psychological traits and behaviors Activity - continuum

  20. Contemporary Psychology • Natural selection • principle that those inherited trait variations contributing to survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

  21. Contemporary Psychology Psychology’s Perspective - A lot depends on your viewpoint

  22. Contemporary Psychological Perspectives Module 1: Introduction, History, Perspectives, and Careers

  23. Psychological Perspectives • Method of classifying a collection of ideas • To view behavior from a particular perspective

  24. 1. Cognitive Perspective • Focus: On how people think and process information • Behavior is explained by how a person interprets the situation

  25. 2. Biological Perspective • Focus: How our biological structures and substances underlie a given behavior, thought, or emotion • Behavior is explained by brain chemistry, genetics, glands, etc.

  26. 3. Social-Cultural Perspective • Focus: How thinking and behavior change depending on the setting or situation • Behavior is explained by the influence of other people present

  27. 4. Behavioral Perspective • Focus: How we learn through rewards, punishments, and observation • Behavior is explained by previous learning

  28. Contemporary Psychology Psychology’s Subfields Basic Research • Biological psychologists explore the links between brain and mind • Developmental psychologists study changing abilities from womb to tomb • Cognitive psychologists study how we perceive, think, and solve problems • Personality psychologists investigate our persistent traits • Social psychologists explore how we view and affect one another

  29. Contemporary Psychology Psychiatry • A branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders • Practiced by physicians who sometimes use medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychotherapy

  30. The End

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