Chapter 1

The Evolution of Psychology

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The Development of Psychology: From Speculation to Science

Prior to 1879– Physiology and philosophy scholars

studying questions about the mind Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920)

University of Leipzig, Germany – Campaigned to make psychology an

independent discipline– Established the first laboratory for the

study of psychology in 1879 Psychology was born

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Wilhelm Wundt’s International Influence

Leipzig, the place to study psychology– Graduates of Wundt’s program set up

new labs across Europe and North America

G.Stanley Hall (1846-1924), Johns Hopkins University – Established the first psychology

laboratory in the U.S. in 1883 Between 1883 and 1893, 24 new

laboratories in North America

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Introspection activity…(Using Wundt’s early method of analysis) Write about a HALF PAGE or more about

ONE of the following questions:– Have you been the kind of friend you want as a

friend?– Would you be willing to reduce your life

expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?

– What’s something you know you do differently than most people?

– To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?

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The Battle of the “Schools” in the U.S.: Structuralism vs. Functionalism

Two intellectual schools of thought regarding the science of psychology– Structuralism – led by Edward Titchener

• Focused on analyzing consciousness into basic elements• Introspection – careful, systematic observations of one’s own

conscious experience

– Functionalism – led by William James• Focused on investigating the function or purpose of consciousness• Led to investigation of mental testing, developmental patterns, and sex

differences• May have attracted the first women into the field of psychology

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Who Won the Battle?

Most historians give the edge to James and the functionalists– Today, psychologists are not really categorized as

structuralists or functionalists Applied psychology and Behaviorism - descendants

of functionalism– Behaviorism - early 1900’s

• The next major school of thought to influence the development of psychology

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Behaviorism: Redefining Psychology

John B. Watson (1878-1958): United States– Founder of Behaviorism

Psychology = scientific study of behavior

Behavior = overt or observable responses or activities– Radical reorientation of psychology as a

science of observable behavior– Study of consciousness abandoned

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The Nature vs. Nurture Debate

Debate over whether behavior is determined by genetic inheritance (nature)

or By the environment and experience (nurture)

Nature or Nurture? Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman

Twins: Is it All in the Genes? - Our America with Lisa Ling

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Nature vs. Nurture Group IllustrationIllustrate an example of characteristics influenced by nature, nurture, or both; Include explanations & definitions)

Nature Both Nurture(definition) (definition)

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Nature, Nurture, & What Makes a Killer

Listen to NPR Audio article “What Does The Mind Of A ( Killer Look Like?”

Write a summary of the article (1/2 page) According to Jim Fallon, what circumstances

must come together to create a killer? How does this apply to the nature vs. nurture

debate?– Turn in to drawer and work on nature/nurture group

illustration

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Nature, Nurture, & What Makes a Killer

Watch: “What Does The Mind Of A Killer Look Like?”

1. Write a summary of the video(1/2 page)

2. According to Jim Fallon, what circumstances must come together to create a killer?

3.How does this apply to the nature vs. nurture debate?– Turn in to drawer and work on nature/nurture group

illustration

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John Watson and the Nature-Nurture Debate

Nurture, not nature– “give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my

own special world to bring them up in and I’ll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select – doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief, and yes, even beggar-man and thief…”

Behaviorist school of thought emphasized the environment (nurture)

Focus on stimulus-response relationships S-R psychology

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Sigmund Freud and the Concept of the Unconscious Mind

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939): Austria Founded Psychoanalytic school of

thought Emphasis on unconscious processes

influencing behavior– Unconscious = outside awareness

Ross & Emily

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Freud’s Ideas: Controversy and Influence

Behavior is influenced by the unconscious Unconscious conflict related to sexuality plays a

central role in behavior Controversial notions caused debate/resistance Significant influence on the field of psychology

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Freud’s Couch… (psychoanalysis)

Freud Documentary Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

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Behaviorism Revisited: B.F. Skinner

B.F. Skinner (1904-1990): United States – Environmental factors determine behavior– Responses that lead to positive outcomes

are repeated– Responses that lead to negative

outcomes are not repeated– Beyond Freedom and Dignity– More controversy regarding free will

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The 1950’s: Opposition to Psychoanalytic Theory and Behaviorism

Charges that both were de-humanizing Diverse opposition groups got together to form a

loose alliance A new school of thought emerged - Humanism

– Led by Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) and Carl Rogers (1902-1987)

– Emphasis on the unique qualities of humans: freedom and personal growth

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Putting the Psyche Back in Psychology: The Return of Cognition

Cognition = mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge

1950’s and 60’s – Piaget, Chomsky, and Simon– Application of scientific methods to studying internal mental

events– Cognitive psychology: the new dominant perspective?

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Biological Psychology: The Biological Basis of Behavior

– Biological perspective - behavior explained in terms of physiological processes

• James Olds (1956)

– Electrical stimulation of the brain evokes emotional responses in animals

• Roger Sperry (1981)

– Left and right brain specialization

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Evolutionary Psychology: Behavioral Patterns in Terms of Evolutionary Significance

Central premise: natural selection occurs for behavioral, as well as physical, characteristics

Buss, Daly & Wilson, Cosmides & Tooby – 80’s and 90’s

• Studied natural selection of mating preferences, jealousy, aggression, sexual behavior, language, decision making, personality, and development

– Thought provoking perspective gaining in influence, but not without criticism

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Contemporary Psychology: Cultural Diversity

Ethnocentrism – viewing one’s own group as superior and as the standard for judging

Historically: middle and upper class white males studying middle and upper class white males

1980’s – increased interest in how cultural factors influence behavior

growing global interdependence increased cultural diversity

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Psychology Today: A Thriving Science and Profession

Overview of History of Psychology – p. 16 - 17 Psychology is the science that studies behavior and

the physiological and cognitive processes that underlie it, and it is the profession that applies the accumulated knowledge of this science to practical problems.

Research: Seven major areas – F 1.8 Applied Psychology: Four major areas – F 1.9

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Figure 1.6

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Figure 1.7XX

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Figure 1.8

XX

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Figure 1.9

XX

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Studying Psychology: Seven Organizing Themes

Themes related to psychology as a field of study:– Psychology is empirical (Theme 1), theoretically

diverse (Theme 2), and it evolves in a sociohistorical context (Theme 3).

Themes related to psychology’s subject matter:– Behavior is determined by multiple causes (Theme

4), shaped by cultural heritage (Theme 5), and influenced jointly by heredity and environment (Theme 6).

Finally, people’s experience of the world is highly subjective (Theme 7).

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Improving Academic Performance

Time management – F 1.11 Assessment – F 1.12 Attendance and Grades – F 1.13 http://www.library.utoronto.ca/canpoetry/wayman/poem5.htm

Changing Answers – F 1.14 Belief and Behavior Effects – F 1.15 Critical Thinking – mental rotation task – F

1.16

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Figure 1.11

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Figure 1.13

Psychology as a Profession

Psychologists

Trained to observe, analyze, & evaluate behavior

Doctorate degree in Psychology (PhD)

Various subfields treat disorders

Psychiatrists

Completes medical school Specializes in psychiatric medicine Medical Doctor (MD) Can prescribe medication Can perform operations

Clinical Psychologist

Diagnoses & treats people with emotional disturbances

Private practices, mental hospitals, prisons, clinics

½ of all psychologists are this type

Counseling Psychologist

Helps people with everyday life problems (i.e. marriage counselor)

Works in schools; large businesses

Developmental Psychologist

Studies physical, emotional, cognitive, & social changes throughout life

Children, elderly, adolescence, process of dying

Educational Psychologist

Studies teaching methods

Studies how students learn

Community Psychologist

Works in mental health or social welfare agency

Industrial/Organizational Psychologist

Studies ways to boost production and improve working conditions

Environmental Psychologist

Studies effects of the environment on people Studies effects of natural disasters,

overcrowding, and pollution

Psychobiologist

Studies effects of drugs on the nervous system

Uses new technology to identify physical reasons for behavioral or mental challenges

Forensic Psychologist

Helps police develop personality profiles of criminals

Health Psychologist

Studies links between physical and psychological health How stress can make you sick

Experimental Psychologist

Studies sensation, perception, learning and motivation in carefully controlled laboratory conditions

Provides the research of psychology