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The Evolution of Psychology

The Evolution of Psychology. From Speculation to Science: How Psychology Developed. Prior to Wilhelm Wundt Philosophy scholars studying questions about the mind and human nature Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) University of Leipzig, Germany Established the first laboratory in 1879

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The Evolution of Psychology

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  1. The Evolution of Psychology

  2. From Speculation to Science:How Psychology Developed • Prior to Wilhelm Wundt • Philosophy scholars studying questions about the mind and human nature • Wilhelm Wundt(1832-1920) University of Leipzig, Germany • Established the first laboratory in 1879 • Campaigned to make psychology a discipline • More than just “Observation” • More than just “Common-sense”

  3. Is mere Observation enough? • What appears on the back of a $1 bill? • Do police officers wear their badges on the left or right side of their uniform? • How many sides does a pencil have? • How many prongs are there in a regular dinner fork? • Which way does Lincoln face on the penny? • In which hand does the Statute of Liberty hold her torch? • On our flag, is the top stripe red or white? • Which way does water go down the drain?

  4. Is mere Common-sense enough? • Opposites attract. • Everyone dreams. • If told to do it, most people will shock someone almost to death. • Blind people have a more sensitive sense of hearing and touch. • Animals process information in the same way that people do. • A well-trained psychology can determine a person’s hidden problems by analyzing their dreams. • Playing classical music for a young infant will result in an increase in IQ. • Drug addiction is a major cause of violent crimes, such as murder.

  5. Figure 1.1 Early Research Laboratories in North America

  6. The Battle of the “Schools” in the U.S.: Structuralism vs. Functionalism • Structuralism – Edward Titchener • “structure” of conscious experience • Analyzed into basic elements • Introspection – careful, systematic observations of one’s own conscious experience • Functionalism – William James • “function” of conscious experience • Led to investigation of mental testing, developmental patterns, and sex differences

  7. John Watson and the Nature-Nurture Debate • Nurture, not nature • “give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own special world to bring them up in and I’ll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select – doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief, and yes, even beggar-man and thief…”

  8. Psychology Today:A Thriving Science and Profession • Explosion of ideas, theories, researchers… • Hot topics • Positive psychology • Interpersonal • Neuropsychology

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