What is Psychology

What is Psychology? The science of behavior and the mind behavior - observable actions of a person or animal mind - thoughts, feelings, sensations, perceptions, memories, dreams, motives and other subjective experiences science  an objective way to answer questions  based on observable facts / data and well described methods What is Psychology?  A set of questions about mental functioning trace back to philosophy Aristotle asked about memory, personality, emotions, etc.  A set of theories and procedures for asking and answering questions the scientific method evolved over centuries, first in physics  A product of history philosophy asked many of the basic questions physiology used similar methods Philosophical Developments A Question: How are mind and body related? Dualism - body and soul are separate but interrelated origins in medieval religion soul is seat of intellectual function and will mind is product of the soul mind not subject to scientific inquiry to challenge this was punishable by death Philosophical Developments A Question: How are mind and body related? Rene Descartes (1596-1650) - modified dualism since animals have no soul, much behavior does not require soul the body can therefore control much behavior led him to study reflexes the soul’s main function is thought, a uniquely human attribute Philosophical Developments A Question: How are mind and body related?  Materialism: Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) mind is a product of the brain soul is not involved in human behavior  Empiricism: knowledge and intellect are acquired sensory experiences produce elementary ideas elementary ideas become associated into complex thought and ideas Philosophical Developments  Another Nativism Question: Empiricism vs.  Nativism is the view that elementary ideas are innate  If knowledge is innate  What is the purpose of education?  Can intellect be changed by experience?  Are abilities determined by our genes or our experiences?  This is known as Nature vs. Nurture  appears throughout modern psychology Foundations of Modern Psychology  Charles Darwin (1809-1882)  Theory of natural selection (1859) physical characteristics evolve through natural selection behavioral patterns also influence selection inborn knowledge and behavioral tendencies with survival value are passed on  Human beings are part of nature and can be understood through the methods of science Foundations of Modern Psychology  Darwin’s theory encouraged scientific inquiry  19th century developments in physiology demonstrated the approach to use based on scientific methods, controlled laboratory experiments influential beliefs from early physiology reflexology - all human behaviors occur through reflexes localization of function - specific structures of the brain serve specific functions in the control of mental experiences and behavior Foundations of Modern Psychology  Separated from philosophy in 19th century influences from physiology remain  Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) Leipzig, Germany wrote the first psychology textbook applied laboratory techniques to study of the mind structuralism - identify ‘atoms’ of the mind focused on basic sensory and perceptual processes measured reaction times Other Pioneers  Edward Titchener (1867-1927) Wundt’s student, professor at Cornell University  William James (1842-1910) started psychology at Harvard in 1870s opposed Wundt and Titchener’s approach functionalism - influenced by Darwin to focus on how behaviors help us adapt to the environment  Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) Austrian physician that focused on illness psychoanalytic theory of mental disorders Other Pioneers  Alfred Binet (1857-1911) French intelligence researcher developed first intelligence test  Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) Russian physiologist discovered conditioned reflexes  B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) American psychologist at Harvard studied learning and effect of reinforcement behaviorism Perspectives Perspective is a way of viewing phenomena Psychology has multiple perspectives ethological biological psychoanalytic cognitive cross- cultural social Ethology The study of animal behavior in the natural environment rather than in a lab setting Influenced by Darwin and the emphasis on innate, adaptive behavior patterns European approach to studying behavior founded by animal researchers, Lorenz and Tinbergen Biological Perspective  Study the physiological mechanisms in the brain and nervous system that organize and control behavior  Focus may be at various levels individual neurons areas of the brain specific functions like eating, emotion or learning  Interest in behavior distinguishes biological psychology from many other biological sciences Clinical Perspective  View of behavior based on experience treating patients  Psychoanalytic approach (Sigmund Freud ) both a method of treatment and a theory of the mind behavior reflects combinations of conscious and unconscious influences drives and urges within the unconscious component of mind influence thought and behavior early childhood experiences shape unconscious motivations Clinical Perspective View of behavior based on experience treating patients Humanistic approach developed by Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers behavior reflects innate ‘actualization’ focus on conscious forces and self perception More positive view of basic forces than Freud’s Cultural Psychology The study of psychological differences among people living in different cultural groups How are people’s thoughts, feelings and behavior influenced by their culture? What are the common elements across culture? Are these innate? Cognitive Perspective How is knowledge acquired, organized, remembered, and used to guide behavior ? Influences include Piaget - studied intellectual development Chomsky - studied language Cybernetics - science of information processing The Profession of Psychology American Psychological Association had 52 divisions in 1998 Some represent areas of training and specialization (e.g., developmental, clinical) Some are applied (i.e., teaching in psychology, psychology and the law) Areas of Specialization  Clinical  abnormal behavior and psychological disorders  psychologist vs. psychiatrist  Health psychology  psychological factors in physical health  Counseling  dealing with normal life situations Industrial/Organizational 3% Social and Biological and Personality 8% Experimental 16% Educational 3% Other Developmental 6% Psychology 15% School 3% Clinical 36%  provide guidance Counseling 10% Areas of Specialization  Developmental psychological change over the life span social, cognitive, Biological and personality Experimental 16%  School Other Psychology counseling and 15% guidance in school settings  Educational Clinical 36% learning and teaching Industrial/Organizational 3% Social and Personality 8% Educational 3% Developmental 6% School 3% Counseling 10% Areas of Specialization  Psychobiology  brain and behavior  studied at many levels  often uses animals as research model  Experimental  basic laboratory focus  animals or humans  learning, memory, motivation Industrial/Organizational 3% Social and Biological and Personality 8% Experimental 16% Educational 3% Other Developmental 6% Psychology 15% School 3% Clinical 36%  Cognitive  experimental  human memory, perception, etc. Counseling 10% Areas of Specialization  Social  social influences on cognition and emotion  attitudes and beliefs Industrial/Organizational 3% Social and Biological and Personality 8% Experimental 16% Educational 3% Other Developmental 6% Psychology 15% School 3% Clinical 36%  Personality  individual differences  perception by others  Industrial/organizational  people and work  job satisfaction  training and selection Counseling 10% Professional Work Settings Colleges and universities Clinical settings Elementary and secondary schools Business Government Employment Settings of Psychologists Business & Industry School Private Practice Universities & College Government