CR 1: History & Approaches. This Curricular Requirement can be found in Chapter 1 of Myers Psychology for AP.

Transcription

1 CR 1: History & Approaches This Curricular Requirement can be found in Chapter 1 of Myers Psychology for AP.

2 History & Approaches: 2-4% Recognize how philosophical and physiological perspectives shaped the development of psychological thought. Describe and compare different theoretical approaches in explaining behavior: structuralism, functionalism, and behaviorism in the early years; Gestalt, psychoanalytic/psychodynamic, and humanism emerging later; evolutionary, biological, cognitive, and biopsychosocial as more contemporary approaches. Recognize the strengths and limitations of applying theories to explain behavior. Distinguish the different domains of psychology (e.g., biological, clinical, cognitive, counseling, developmental, educational, experimental, human factors, industrial organizational, personality, psychometric, social).

3 Key Terms 1 Applied Research 11 Industrial/Organizational psychology 2 Basic Research 12 Introspection 3 Behaviorism 13 Humanistic psychology 4 Biological psychology 14 Natural selection 5 Clinical Psychology 15 Nature-Nurture issue 6 Cognitive psychology 16 Population 7 Empiricism 17 Psychodynamic approach 8 Evolutionary psychology 18 Psychiatry 9 Functionalism 19 Psychology 10 Gestalt psychology 20 Structuralism

4 Key People Mary Whiton Calkins Charles Darwin Dorothea Dix Sigmund Freud G. Stanley Hall William James Ivan Pavlov Jean Piaget Carl Rogers B. F. Skinner Margaret Floy Washburn John B. Watson Wilhelm Wundt

5 What is Psychology? Psychology the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Behavior anything that can be observed and measured. Walking, breathing, taking notes. Mental processes cognitive activities that cannot be observed. Private and internal, can be described but not seen. Psychological constructs the words psychologists have created to help describe what it is to be human. Attraction, aggression, altruism Id, Ego, Superego.

6 Real Science vs. Pseudoscience Psychology is a REAL SCIENCE. Natural science biology Social science studying people It relies on careful observation, testing hypotheses and data collection. Astrology is a PSEUDOSCIENCE The idea that the alignment of the stars and planets at the moment of your birth influence who you are. The Barnum Effect a type of subjective validation in which a person finds personal meaning in statements that could apply to many people.

7 Purpose of Psychology Describe To describe particular behaviors by naming, classifying, and measuring them. Explain To explain why a behavior or mental process occurred. Predict To predict the conditions under which a future behavior or mental process is likely to occur. Change To apply psychological knowledge to promote desired goals and prevent unwanted behaviors.

8 Philosophical Roots Ancient Greece Socrates Know Thyself (introspection) Aristotle associationism Linking a behavior with an outcome (behaviorism) Medieval Europe Mental illness was the result of demonic possession or punishment from God. The Enlightenment Rene Descartes some ideas and knowledge are inborn. Rationalism reason is the basis of all knowledge. John Locke we are born a blank slate. Empiricism knowledge comes from sensory experiences.

9 Philosophical Roots Mind and Body are United and Connected The Hebrews Aristotle Augustine Mind and Body are Distinct and Separate Socrates Plato Descartes Some Ideas are Inborn (Nature) Socrates Plato The Mind is a Blank Slate (Nurture) Aristotle Locke

10 The Emergence of Psychology Wilhelm Wundt ( ) German scientist. Established the first psychology lab in 1879 in Lepizig, Germany. Pioneered a research method called introspection. Subjects reported detailed descriptions of their own conscious mental experience. Structuralism Edward Titchener ( ) established a similar lab at Cornell University. His subjects identified the most basic components (structures) of conscious experiences. Very unreliable, cannot be used to study children or complex topics.

11 The Emergence of Psychology Functionalism William James ( ) pioneered the practice of functionalism at Harvard University. Studied the purpose (function)of behavior and mental processes Broadened psychology to include the study of observable behaviors. Gestalt Developed by a group of German psychologists, including Max Wertheimer. Focused on how we construct perceptual wholes.

12 The Emergence of Psychology Psychoanalysis Approach to psychology developed by Austrian physician Sigmund Freud. Emphasized the role of unconscious conflict in determining behavior and personality. Believed that dreams, slips of the tongue and memory blocks provide insight to the unconscious mind.

13 Modern Perspectives of Psychology The Behavioral Perspective Behaviorism focuses scientific investigations on observable behaviors that can be objectively measured. Human behavior is learned (nurture) and can be controlled through the presence or absence of rewards and punishment. Mental processes occur, but they do not matter. Early pioneers in this field include: Ivan Pavlov Russian scientist John B. Watson American psychologist B.F. Skinner American psychologist

14 Modern Perspectives of Psychology The Humanistic Perspective Humanistic psychology is built on the work of American psychologist Carl Rogers, who believed that all people have the ability to self-actualize. Emphasized the importance of free will and choice in human behavior. Abraham Maslow was another pioneer of humanistic psychology. The Psychodynamic Perspective Building upon the work of Freud, the psychodynamic approach to psychology continues the idea that people are driven by unconscious influence. The modern psychodynamic approach puts less emphasis on sexual instincts.

15 Modern Perspectives of Psychology The Biological Perspective Biological psychology focuses on the role of the nervous system (including the brain, neurotransmitters and hormones) plays in human and animal behavior. The Cognitive Perspective Cognitive psychology focuses on the way humans gather, store and process sensory information. This perspective was largely based on the computer revolution.

16 Modern Perspectives of Psychology The Sociocultural Perspective This perspective looks at how culture and social situations affect the way people think, feel and behave. The Evolutionary Perspective Evolutionary psychology uses the principles of evolution and natural selection to explain human behavior and mental processes. Although On the Origin of Species was published by Darwin in 1859, this is a fairly new perspective.

17 Modern Perspectives of Psychology The Biopsychosocial Perspective The key assumption of this perspective looks is that mental processes are influenced by the interaction of biological, psychological and social factors. It largely developed out of modern holistic medicine, which emphasizes treating the whole individual, not just the illness.

18 Perspective Psychodynamic Cognitive Behaviorist (Learning) Humanist Biological Evolutionary Sociocultural Behavior of Test Anxiety Test anxiety serves as a release from unconscious aggression. Negative thoughts about failure result in test anxiety Test anxiety may result from observing siblings who also experience nervousness in testing. Test anxiety results when esteem needs are not met & people do not have confidence in their ability to be successful. Lower levels of the neurotransmitter GABA make people more prone to anxiety. Anxious behavior led to human survival because it increased caution & helped people avoid danger. People from cultures that value success in school are more likely to experience test anxiety.

19 Careers in Psychology Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry About 50% of psychologists practice clinical psychology: Have a master s degree or higher. Usually work in private practice or at colleges/universities. Typically help people deal with psychological disorders and adjustment issues. Psychiatry is very similar to clinical psychology, but these people have an MD and can prescribe medication. Typically work in private practice or hospitals. Typically treat people with significant psychological disorders.

20 Careers in Psychology Counseling Psychology Requires a bachelor or masters degree. Help people deal with conflicts, adjustment issues and drug dependency. School Psychologists Work within the school system to help identify students with learning disabilities, behavioral disturbances and giftedness. Educational Psychology Uses knowledge of how people learn to help develop instructional methods and materials.

21 Careers in Psychology Research Psychology Basic research focuses on fundamental theories of psychology and testing various theories. Example: studying the elements of operant conditioning (rewards and punishments) by making rats press a lever for food. Applied research examines a exact set of conditions, and its ultimate goal is relating the results to a particular situation. Note: both types of research have practical applications, but applied research yields immediate and specific applications, while the results of basic research may be used years later and in numerous situations.

22 Careers in Psychology Industrial/Organizational Psychology Applies the principles of psychology to the workplace, including employee motivation, job satisfaction, and personnel selection. Consumer Psychology Work in the advertising and marketing industry to help businesses attract and motivate consumers. Forensic Psychology Applies the principles of psychology to the legal profession, including jury selection and psychological profiling.

23 Sources Fenton, N and Flitter, J. (2015) AP Psychology All Access. Piscataway, NJ: Research & Education Association. Krieger, L. (2010). AP Psychology Crash Course. Piscataway, NJ: Research & Education Association. Myers, D. (2003) Psychology, 7 e. Worth Publishers. New York, New York. The Skeptic s Dictionary the Barnum Effect. Retrieved August 2, 2014.