Unit 1: Chapters 1 and 2. How do we study the mind? Are today s approaches to psychology adequate?

Transcription

1 Unit 1: Chapters 1 and 2 How do we study the mind? Are today s approaches to psychology adequate?

2 Unit I Approaches to Psychology

3 Psychology Scientific study of human and animal behavior and mental processes.

4 A Theory A general framework or idea for scientific study.

5 Cognition The mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge.

6 Psychoanalysis Theory developed by Freud that attempts to explain personality, motivation, and mental disorders by focusing on unconscious determinants of behavior.

7 Humanistic Approach A psychological approach that stresses that humans are free, intelligent creatures trying to achieve personal growth.

8 (Neuro)biological views behavior as the result of your nervous system functions and biology

9 Behavioral A theory of behavior that stresses observable events.

10 Sociocultural Behavior is influenced by rules and expectations of social groups, families or cultures.

11 Evolutionary Theory that examines behavior in terms of its adaptive value for humans over time.

12 A Psychologist A person who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental problems and disorders.

13 A Psychiatrist Medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental problems and disorders.

14 Gerontology The study of aging!

15 The American Psychological Association Founded in 1892, it is the major psychological association in the United States and is made of more than 50 divisions, or areas of psychology

16 WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY? DEFINITION The scientific study of human and animal behavior and the mental processes. CHARACTERISTICS PSYCHOLOGY EXAMPLES Non-EXAMPLES

17 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)

18 Raphael s School of Athens (Vatican Museum, Rome) The Philosophical Roots of Psychology Aristotle: The Psyche is the essence of life

19 A Few Who Shaped Psychology Wilhelm Wundt; William James; Sigmund Freud; John B. Watson; Charles Darwin In a group of 5 create the assigned theorist. profile of the 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!

20 Psychology: Birth of a New Science Prior to 1879 studying behavior was a hobby of physiology and philosophy Physiology + Philosophy = Psychology Wilhelm Wundt ( ) University of Leipzig, Germany Established the first laboratory for the study of psychology in 1879 Wundt known as Father of Psychology Psychology was born

21 Psychology Goes International 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???

22 The Battle of the Schools in the U.S.: Wundt vs. James 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?

23 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 are the descendants of functionalism *Why would Functionalism beat out Structuralism? **With a partner, create a timeline of the evolution of psychology

24 The Central Question of Psychology: NATURE v. NURTURE Each of the 7 approaches to psychology has it s own viewpoint on this debate

25 Behaviorism: The 1 st Child of Functionalism John B. Watson ( ): 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, Beggarman, Thief Behaviorism: Nature or Nurture???

26 Freud: the Unconscious Mind Sigmund Freud ( ): 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??

27 Behaviorism Revisited: B.F. Skinner B.F. Skinner ( ): 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

28 The 1950 s: Opposition to Psychoanalytic Theory and Behaviorism Develops 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 ( ) and Carl Rogers ( ) Emphasis on the unique qualities of humans: freedom and personal growth FREE WILL Humanism: Nature or Nurture??

29 Cognitive psychology brings the MIND back to the forefront! 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??

30 (Nuero)Biological Psychology: The Biological Basis of Behavior Biological Perspective = behavior explained in terms of physiological processes Focus 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??

31 Evolutionary Psychology: Functionalism Revisited 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 Darwin and his followers Studied natural selection of mating preferences, jealousy, aggression, sexual behavior, language, decision making, personality, and development Evolutionary: Nature or Nurture??

32 Sociocultural Psychology: Cultural Diversity 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???

33 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

34 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.

35 Dennis Rodman

36 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 crossdressing, dying his hair and tattooing his body will create the attention his team needs.

37 Want to major in psychology? OK, so what can you do with this degree???

38 Psychologist v. Psychiatrist Psychologist A person who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental problems and disorders. Psychiatrist Medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental problems and disorders. Hold an PhD or EdD Hold an MD Prescribe Medication

39 Clinical v. Counseling Psychology CLINICAL A psychologist who diagnosis and treats people with emotional disturbances or SEVERE disorders COUNSELING A psychologist who diagnosis and treats people with EVERYDAY problems general problems of living

40 Other Areas of Psychology Application Developmental Psychology Educational Psychology Community Psychologist Industrial/Organization al Psychologist Forensic Psychologist Psychobiologist Experimental Psychology School Psychologist Sports Psychology OTHER: Hotline advisor; salesperson; life coach; HR; Mental Health Assistant

41 Main areas psychologists work

42 What areas do psychologists research?