the approaches and methods of psychology part 1
TRANSCRIPT
Psychology Scientific study of human and animal behavior and
mental processes.
Psychoanalysis Theory developed by
Freud that attempts to explain personality, motivation, and mental disorders by focusing on unconscious determinants of behavior.
Humanistic Approach A psychological approach that stresses that humans
are free, intelligent creatures trying to achieve personal growth.
Behavioral A theory of behavior that stresses observable events.
Sociocultural Behavior is
influenced by rules
and expectations of
social groups,
families
or cultures.
Evolutionary Theory that examines behavior in terms of its adaptive
value for humans over time.
A Psychologist A person who
specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental problems and disorders.
A Psychiatrist Medical doctor who
specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental problems and disorders.
The American Psychological AssociationFounded in 1892, it is the major psychological association in the United States and is made of more than 50 divisions, or areas of psychology
DEFINITIONCHARACTERISTICS
EXAMPLES Non-EXAMPLES
PSYCHOLOGY
WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?
The scientific study of human and animal behavior and the mental processes.
The Goals of Psychology Describe – gathering information about a
behavior.
Explain – WHY people and animals act the way they do
Predict – use the knowledge gathered to predict an outcome
Influence – finding out more through research and application of research
Basic Science (Research) v. Applied Science (Use of Research findings to solve problems)
Raphael’s School of Athens (Vatican Museum, Rome)
The Philosophical Roots of Psychology Aristotle: “The Psyche is the essence of life”
A Few Who Shaped Psychology Wilhelm Wundt; William James; Sigmund Freud;
John B. Watson; Charles Darwin
In a group of 5 create the profile of the assigned theorist.
Include: What’s their job, where did they study, where are they from, what’s their philosophy, what are their favorite quotes, who are some of their friends, any other general information
Tell me about this person and their contribution to psychology via their Facebook page!
Prior to 1879 studying behavior was a hobby of physiology and philosophy
Physiology + Philosophy = Psychology
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) University of Leipzig, Germany
Established the first laboratory for the study of psychology in 1879
Wundt known as “Father of Psychology”
Psychology was born
Psychology: Birth of a New Science
Leipzig becomes the place to study psychology
Graduates of Wundt’s program set up new labs across Europe and North America
William James is the Father of Psychology in the USA as he began teaching the first psychology course at Harvard
Psychology was BORN in Germany, But RAISED in the USA
Why would Psychology take off in the USA as opposed to Europe???
Psychology Goes International
Two intellectual schools of thought regarding the science of psychology:
Structuralism – led by Wilhelm Wundt Structuralists focused on analyzing consciousness into basic
elements
Introspection – careful, systematic observations of one’s own conscious experience
Functionalism – led by William James (at Harvard) Functionalists focused on investigating the function or purpose
of consciousness
Who do you think won??? Why?
The Battle of the “Schools” in the U.S.: Wundt vs. James
Most historians give the edge to James and the functionalists
Today, psychologists are not really categorized as structuralists or functionalists
Applied psychology and Behaviorism are the descendants of functionalism
*Why would Functionalism beat out Structuralism?
**With a partner, create a timeline of the evolution of psychology
Who Won the Battle?
The Central Question of Psychology:
NATURE v. NURTURE
Each of the 7 approaches to psychology has it’s own viewpoint on this debate
John B. Watson (1878-1958): United States of America 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 ONLY!
Watson’s famous quote--Doctor, Lawyer, Beggar-man, Thief
Behaviorism: Nature or Nurture???
Behaviorism: The 1st Child of Functionalism
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939): Austria
Founded Psychoanalytic school of thought
Emphasis on unconscious processes influencing behavior
Unconscious = outside awareness
Behavior is influenced by the unconscious
1) Childhood Experiences
2) Sexual Aggressions and Urges
3) Unknown Motivators
Psychoanalysis: Nature or Nurture??
Freud: the Unconscious Mind
B.F. Skinner (1904-1990): United States of America
Following Freud’s work of the early 1900s, Skinner Revived Watson’s Behavioral Theory and brought psychology back to OBSERVABLE BEHAVIOR ONLY!
Environmental factors determine behavior
Responses that lead to positive outcomes are repeated
Responses that lead to negative outcomes are not repeated
Operant Conditioning
Behaviorism Revisited: B.F. Skinner
HUMANISTS believed that both the psychoanalytic and behavioral approaches were dehumanizing
Diverse opposition groups got together to form a loose alliance
Humanism was born
Led by Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) and Carl Rogers (1902-1987)
Emphasis on the unique qualities of humans: freedom and personal growthFREE WILL
Humanism: Nature or Nurture??
The 1950’s: Opposition to Psychoanalytic Theory and Behaviorism
Develops
Cognition = mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge
1950’s and 60’s – Piaget, Chomsky
Application of scientific methods to studying internal mental events
To get a full picture of the mind and behavior you must study the UNOBSERABLE as well!!
Cognition: Nature or Nurture??
Cognitive psychology brings the MIND back to the forefront!
Biological Perspective = behavior explained in terms of physiological processesFocus on the chemical changes in the brain and the psychical changes of the body
James Olds (1956)
Electrical stimulation of the brain evokes emotional responses in animals
Roger Sperry (1981)
Left and right brain specialization
Neurobiological: Nature or Nurture??
(Nuero)Biological Psychology: The Biological Basis of Behavior
EVOLUTIONARY PSYCH: natural selection occurs for behavioral, as well as physical, characteristics
Looks at human behavior in terms of its adaptive value
80’s and 90’s theorists revived the theories of Darwinand his followers
Studied natural selection of mating preferences, jealousy, aggression, sexual behavior, language, decision making, personality, and development
Evolutionary: Nature or Nurture??
Evolutionary Psychology: Functionalism Revisited
Sociocultural Approach: Focuses on the role religion, ethnicity, culture, SES, etc. have on the human mind and behavior
1980’s – increased interest in how cultural factors influence behavior
growing global interdependence
increased cultural diversity
CON: Ethnocentrism – viewing one’s own group as superior and as the standard for judging
NOT A MELTING POT, but a SALAD BOWL!!!!
Sociocultural: Nature or Nurture???
Sociocultural Psychology: Cultural Diversity
PROS and CONS What are the strengths and weaknesses of each
approach if you are to look at them in isolation?
ECLECTIC PSYCHOLOGY
*Jay Worksheet
The Approaches to Psychology: Outrageous Celebrity Activity Think of the most
outrageous celebrity you can.
Write a list of 5 behaviors this person has exhibited.
Then explain the behaviors from the point of view of each major perspective.
You may be as ridiculous in your reasoning as the behavior itself as long as it falls in line with the perspective.
Explanations Biological: He has a high
level of estrogen that makes him feel as though he should wear women’s clothing.
Psychodynamic: He was traumatized as a child when he was not permitted to have a Halloween costume. He has repressed his memory but dresses in outrageous clothing to compensate for his loss as a child.
Behavioral: His father and grandfather were both cross-dressers and frequently dyed their hair. He is imitating their behavior.
Cognitive: He interprets his role in the NBA as needing to create attention for his team. As a result, he thinks that cross-dressing, dying his hair and tattooing his body will create the attention his team needs.
Psychologist v. Psychiatrist Psychologist Psychiatrist
A person who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental problems and disorders.
Hold an PhD or EdD
Medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental problems and disorders.
Hold an MD
Prescribe Medication
Clinical v. Counseling PsychologyCLINICAL COUNSELING
A psychologist who diagnosis and treats people with emotional disturbances or SEVEREdisorders
A psychologist who diagnosis and treats people with EVERYDAYproblems—general problems of living
Other Areas of Psychology Application
Developmental Psychology
Educational Psychology
Community Psychologist
Industrial/Organizational Psychologist
Forensic Psychologist
Psychobiologist
Experimental Psychology
School Psychologist
Sports Psychology
OTHER: Hotline advisor;
salesperson; life coach; HR; Mental Health Assistant