Discovering Psychology Chapter 1

1. Discovering PsychologyChapter 1 Introduction and Research Methods PSY 101

2. Origins of Psychology • Wilhelm Wundt • German Physiologist & founder of Psychology; fought to have psychology established as a separate & distinct discipline • Used scientific methods to study psychological processes (reaction time bell studies) • Published Principles of Physiological Psychology in 1874 • Opened one of the 1st psychology research labs in 1879 & helped to establish psychology as an experimental science • Edward B. Titchener • Wundt’s student • Developed the structuralism approach that emphasized studying the most basic components, or structures, of conscious experiences • Introspection: viewing a stimulus, and reconstructing sensations & feelings immediately after • Introspection found to be an unreliable method of investigation (e.g. eyewitness testimonies), and the structuralism approach no longer used

3. Origins of Psychology • Williams James • Instrumental in establishing Psychology in the United States • Believed that different species evolved over time (Darwin) • Wrote Principles of Psychology in 1890, which came to be the leading Psychology textbook of that time • Responsible for the functionalism approach in Psychology, which stressed that behavior functions allow people and animals to adapt to their environments • Allowed for direct observation rather than just introspection • Functionalism no longer exists as a school of thought within Psychology

4. Origins of Psychology • William James’ Students • G. Stanley Hall • Received the 1st Ph.D. in Psychology in the U.S. in 1878 • Founded the 1st Psychology lab @ Johns Hopkins University • Began publishing the American Journal of Psychology & founded the American Psychological Association (APA) and became its first president in 1892 • Mary Whiton Calkins • Conducted research in dreams, memory & personality • Never awarded a Ph.D. because she was a woman • Elected the first female president of the APA in 1905 • Margaret Floy Washburn • Titchener’s student • 1st woman to earn a Ph.D., advocated for the scientific study of the mental processes of different species of animals • Elected the 2nd female president of the APA in 1921

5. Origins of Psychology • Francis C. Sumner • G. Stanley Hall’s student • 1st African American to earn a Ph.D. • Kenneth Clark • Landmark ‘doll tests’ demonstrated the negative effects of discrimination & were instrumental in the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 decision to end segregated schools. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybDa0gSuAcg) • Became the 1st African American president of the APA in 1970 • Inez Prosser • 1st African American woman to receive a PhD in 1933

6. Origins of Psychology • Sigmund Freud • Known for psychoanalysis, or the role of unconscious conflicts (sexual and aggressive in nature) and their role on behavior and personality • Oedipal Complex & castration anxiety • Ivan Pavlov • Helped to develop the approach of behaviorism, focusing on discrete behaviors rather than conscious & unconscious influences • Known for classical conditioning – evidenced by salivating dogs study • Before conditioning: NS (bell) = NR (no salivation) • During conditioning: NS (bell) + UCS (food) = UCR (salivating dog) • After conditioning: NS (bell) = CR (salivating dog) • Other examples – speed limit signs and driving speed! • John B. Watson • American psychologist who also supported the behaviorism approach • B.F. Skinner • Used reinforcement & punishment to shape behavior

7. Origins of Psychology • Carl Rogers • Founded Humanistic Psychology in the 1950s • Diff from behaviorism approach of human behavior being shaped & maintained by external causes, emphasized internal factors such as self-determination, free will, and the importance of choice • Abraham Maslow • Developed Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (emphasizes that people are motivated to fulfill basic needs before moving on to higher levels, with the ultimate goal of attaining self actualization or

9. Perspectives in Psychology • Biological • Studies the relationship between psychological processes and the body’s physical systems • Neuroscience • Psychodynamic • Emphasizes the importance of unconscious influences • Behavioral • Observations, behavior is learned & shaped by consequences • Humanistic • Focuses on motivation of people to grow psychologically, internal • Positive Psychology • Study of positive emotions, psychological traits and emotional states • Cognitive • Mental processing, how people think and process information • CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy • Cross Cultural • Study of the diversity of human behavior and how cultural differences influence behavior • Individualism vs. communalism • Evolutionary • Applying evolutionary principles to understanding human behavior • To cheat or not to cheat?

10. Specialty Areas in Psychology • Biological Psychology – relationship bt psych processes & bio sys • Clinical Psychology – causes, diagnosis, treament & prevention of different types of behavioral and emotional disorders • Cognitive Psychology – investigates mental processing • Counseling Psychology – helps individuals adjust, adapt & cope with problems • Educational Psychology – studies how people learn • Experimental Psychology – research on basic topics such as sensation and perception • Developmental Psychology – development across the lifespan

11. Specialty Areas in Psychology • Forensic Psychology – psychological principles pertaining to legal issues • Health Psychology – role of psych factors in development, prevention & treatment of illness • Industrial/Organizational Psychology – relationship bt people & work • Personality Psychology – nature of human personality • Rehabilitation Psychology – applies psychological knowledge to help people with chronic & disabling health conditions • Social Psychology – explores how people are affected by their social environments • Sports Psychology – applying psychological theory & knowledge to enhance athletic performance

12. Tomato….Tomato? • Psychiatry vs Psychology • Psy.D. vs Ph.D.

13. Applying Psychology • Batman Unmasked – the Psychology of the Dark Knight • Part 1: http://youtu.be/ieu0UcMZWos • Part 2: http://youtu.be/gS5DMsgQV7k • Part 3: http://youtu.be/VRivaOtMq-0 Think about how the diff psych perspectives discussed would be applied to understand the behavior of Bruce Wayne.