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An introduction to the field of psychology, discussing its origins from ancient philosophers to modern scientific approaches. Topics include the scientific nature of psychology, its goals, and its historical roots. The document also covers the emergence of functionalism, behaviorism, cognitive psychology, and social and cultural perspectives.
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What do psychologists study these days? Normal behavior: causes and mechanisms Abnormal behavior and mental illness Goals of modern psychology Study the “essentials of behavior and mind”
Develop a knowledge base about human and animal behavior
What’s it For? Goal: Survive in your environment Mental processes contribute to survival Solving adaptive problems = Find a way to meet challenges to survival Example: How do you recognize and avoid danger? Understanding purpose of processes leads to better understanding of those processes
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Plato (428 BC–347 BC) argues for nativism innate knowledge Aristotle (384 BC–322 BC) and “tabula rasa” philosophical empiricism Descartes (1596–1650) – dualism pineal gland Phrenology – takes “Gall” (1758–1828) mapping the mind?
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Titchener (1867–1927) (^) hard introspective labor Elemental qualities of consciousness James (1842–1910) functional approach Darwin— The Origin of Species (1859) natural selection G. Stanley Hall (1844–1924) child development & adolescence
The First Psychology Laboratory 1879, University of Lepzig Wilhelm Wundt Philosophy professor with background in physiology Advocated scientific techniques for studying mental processes Main focus: Immediate conscious experience
Functionalism William James, James Rowland Angell Understand mental processes by understanding the goal or purpose of those processes Example: What is the goal or purpose of memory? Greatly influenced by work of Darwin
Behaviorism John B. Watson, B. F. Skinner Problems with introspection: Cannot directly observe mental events Subjective, varies by individual Solution: Focus only on observable behavior in carefully controlled experiments Special emphasis on animal behavior
Freud’s Ideas Psychoanalysis: Freud’s theory of how the mind works and how to address disorders Psychological problems solved through insight Unconscious mind Conflicts, memories outside of awareness Many psychological problems arise from childhood experiences
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Advent of computers (^) decline in behaviorism Information processing systems (^) can we think of mental events as the flow of information through the mind? (^) computer metaphor Cognitive psychology (^) Remembering, attending, thinking, believing, evaluating, feeling, and assessing
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Cognitive psychologists studied the “software” of the brain but what about the hardware? Karl Lashley (1890–1958) train rats to run maze surgically remove brain parts & run maze again hope to find spot in brain where learning occurs Scientists who followed developed area now called behavioral neuroscience
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Social psychology Triplett’s bicycle study Lewin’s “field theory” Asch’s “mental chemistry” Allport—stereotyping, prejudice, and racism
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July 1892—APA is born at Clark University 7 original members 150,000 members today 20% come from academia APS formed in 1982 renamed in 2006
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Mary Whiton Calkins (1863–1930) first woman elected president of APA Francis Cecil Sumner (1895–1954) first African American to hold PhD in psychology Kenneth Clark (1914–2005) first member of a minority group to become president of APA elected in 1970