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Exploring Psychology's Roots and Contemporary Perspectives

Delve into the history and scope of psychology, from prescientific theories to modern perspectives. Explore questions like mind-body connection, nature vs. nurture, and the branches of psychology. Gain insights into key approaches like structuralism and functionalism. Discover the diverse subfields, from cognitive psychology to clinical studies. Learn valuable study tips for success and engage actively in your psychology journey with this informative text.

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Exploring Psychology's Roots and Contemporary Perspectives

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  1. Myers PSYCHOLOGYSeventh Edition in Modules Module 1 The History and Scope of Psychology James A. McCubbin, Ph.D. Clemson University Worth Publishers

  2. 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?

  3. Psychology’s Roots

  4. Psychology’s Roots • Prescientific Psychology • Empiricism • knowledge comes from experience via the senses • science flourishes through observation and experiment

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

  6. Psychology’s Roots • Structuralism used introspection (looking in) to explore the elemental structure of the human mind

  7. Psychology’s Roots • Functionalism focused on how behavioral processes function—how they enable organism to adapt, survive, and flourish

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

  9. Psychology’s Roots • Definition of Psychology • The science of behavior (what we do) and mental processes (sensations, perceptions, dreams, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings)

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

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

  12. Contemporary Psychology

  13. Contemporary Psychology • Psychology’s Perspectives • A lot depends on your point of view

  14. 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

  15. Contemporary Psychology • Psychology’s Subfields • Basic Research • Personality psychologists investigate our persistent traits • Social psychologists explore how we view and affect one another

  16. Contemporary Psychology • Psychology’s Subfields • Applied Research • Industrial/organizational psychologists study and advise on behavior in the workplace • Clinical psychologists study, assess, and treat people with psychological disorders

  17. 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

  18. Close Up: Your Study of Psychology • Distribute your time • In class, listen actively • Overlearn • Be a smart test-taker

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