Introduction and History of Psychology

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Introduction and History of Psychology

• Psychology 2013-2014

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What is Psychology?

• Psychology is the scientific study of behavior
  and mental processes.
• Psychology has its roots in the Greek words of
  psyche, or mind, and -ology, or a field of
  study.

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What do we mean by behavior?

• Behavior is any action or reaction which causes a
  human or animal to adapt to its environment.
• Behavior can be overtobservable
• Behavior can be covertinternal or hidden

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Scientific Method

• The science of psychology is based on objective,
  verifiable evidence obtained using the scientific
  method.

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What is Real Psychology what is
Pseudopsychology?

• Pseudo-psychology is the phony or unscientific
  psychology which pretends to be the real thing.

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Pseudo-psychology produces confirmation/hindsight
bias
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Led Zeplin?

• Yes, there are two paths you can go by,
• but in the long run theres still time to
  change the
• road youre on.

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Now listen carefully..

• Heres to my sweet Satan,
• the one whose little pathways
• make me sad,
• whose power is Satan.

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Psychology vs. Psychiatry

• Psychiatrists hold MDs and have specialized
  training in the treatment of mental and
  behavioral problems.
• Psychology is a much broader field which has many
  different specialties.

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• Early History

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Modern Psychology Rooted in History

• Modern psychology (post 1800s)developed from
  several conflicting ideas.

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Wilhelm Wundt

• Wilhelm Wundt (Voont) widely considered the
  father of psychology.

Wilhelm Wundt 1832-1929
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John Watson- Behaviorism

• Watson argued that the science of psychology
  should only deal with observable events stimuli
  from the environment and the organisms response
  to that stimuli.
• These psychologists thought of the mind as a
  black box which could not be opened or
  understood.
• Believed all behaviors are shaped by rewards
  punishments.
• Believed in the power of the situation/environment
  .

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Quiz Show?
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Sigmund Freud-Psychoanalysis

• Psychoanalysis is the brainchild of Sigmund Freud
  and his followers.
• Psychoanalysis said that mental disorders
  resulted from conflicts of the unconscious mind.
• Freud thought that behavior came from unconscious
  drives, conflicts and experience that we may not
  even have a memory of.

Sigmund Freud 1856-1939
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Psychology Today

• Psychology today arises from 6 main perspectives
• Biological
• Cognitive
• Psychodynamic
• Behavioral
• Sociocultural
• Evolutionary

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Biological View

• The biological view looks at how our physical
  make up and the operation of our brains influence
  our personality, preferences, behavior patterns,
  and abilities.
• Influence of Darwin
• According to biological view, our behavior is a
  result of heredity and environment.

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Cognitive View

• According to the cognitive view, our actions are
  a direct result of the way we process information
  from our environment.
• Think senses.
• Cognitions are thoughts, expectations,
  perceptions and memories

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Psychodynamic View

• Psychodynamic psychology suggests we are
  motivated by irrational desires generated in our
  unconscious minds.
• Work of Sigmund Freud.
• Think violence, sex, horror!

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Humanistic Psychology

• A viewpoint which emphasizes human ability,
  growth, potential and free will.
• It, however, emphasizes the positive side of
  human nature. It has received a lot of criticism
  because it is not highly scientific.

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Behavioral View

• A viewpoint which finds the complete source of
  our actions stem from our environment, rather
  than in inner mental processes or conflict.
• B.F. Skinner.rats.
• Can you prove that you have a mind?
• Can you feel your mind?

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Sociocultural View

• This view emphasizes the importance of social
  interaction, social learning and a cultural
  perspective.
• What is culture?
• Culture a complex blend of beliefs, customs,
  values and traditions developed by a group of
  people and shared with others in the same
  environment.

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Cultural Relativity

• Behavior should be judged by the practices and
  values of a particular culture.

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Psychologys newest frontier.

• Positive Psychology

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Martin Seligman
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The Science of Happiness

• Happiness
• Genetic Set
• External Circumstances
• Intentional Activities

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The Nun Study

• 678 Participants- Sisters of Notre Dame
• Longitudinal study-Alzheimers
• All born before 1917
• At age 22, each asked to write a one-page
  autobiography

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For example

• God started my life off well by bestowing upon
  me grace of inestimable value The past year
  which I spent as a candidate studying at Notre
  Dame has been a very happy one. Now I look
  forward with eager joy to receiving the Holy
  Habit of Our Lady and to a life of union with
  Love Divine.

• I was born on Sept. 26, 1909, the eldest of
  seven children, five girls and two boys My
  candidate year was spent in the mother-house,
  teaching chemistry and second-year Latin at Notre
  Dame. With Gods grace, I intend to do my best
  for our Order, for the spread of religion and for
  my personal sanctification.

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Findings.

• Strong positive correlation between positive
  emotional content and longevity (6-7 decades
  later)
• Optimism is associated with long life.

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Consider this