Chapter 1 Introduction
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes in humans and other species.
It is scientific because it uses systematic processes together with ethical guidelines to test theories about behavior. Specific goals and a variety of methods are used to test hypotheses.
Wilhelm Wundt
Wundt founded what is considered to be the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig,
Germany in 1879.
His approach, called structuralism, focused on the elements, or structure, of mental processes using the technique known as introspection to define the sensations, images, and feelings of his experimental subjects.
Origins of
Psychology
Psychology
Today
Research
Goals and
Methods
Ethic in
Research
William James
James was influenced by Darwin’s
Theory of Evolution – the process by which over time humans acquire behaviors that benefit their survival.
His approach is called functionalism as it focused on the adaptive purpose, or function, of behavior.
Origins of
Psychology
Psychology
Today
Research
Goals and
Methods
Ethic in
Research
Sigmund Freud
Freud is probably the best known of all names in Psychology. His theories have had an enormous impact on western culture.
He stressed the importance of subconscious sexual desires and aggression in understanding human behaviors. Origins of
Psychology
Psychology
Today
Research
Goals and
Methods
Ethic in
Research
BEHAVIORISM
B.F. Skinner
John B. Watson
Watson was influenced by Pavlov’s work in stimulus and responses, and believed behaviors could be programmed. Skinner added the concepts of rewards (called reinforcers) and punishment as motivations for behaviors. Watson and Skinner believed that in order for Psychology to be a “true” science, it must focus only on behaviors that could be observed and measured.
Origins of
Psychology
Psychology
Today
Research
Goals and
Methods
Ethic in
Research
Humanistic perspective Behavioral perspective Cognitive perspective Biological perspective Psychodynamic
It is scientific because it uses systematic processes together with ethical guidelines to test theories about behavior. Specific goals and a variety of methods are used to test hypotheses.
Wilhelm Wundt
Wundt founded what is considered to be the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig,
Germany in 1879.
His approach, called structuralism, focused on the elements, or structure, of mental processes using the technique known as introspection to define the sensations, images, and feelings of his experimental subjects.
Origins of
Psychology
Psychology
Today
Research
Goals and
Methods
Ethic in
Research
William James
James was influenced by Darwin’s
Theory of Evolution – the process by which over time humans acquire behaviors that benefit their survival.
His approach is called functionalism as it focused on the adaptive purpose, or function, of behavior.
Origins of
Psychology
Psychology
Today
Research
Goals and
Methods
Ethic in
Research
Sigmund Freud
Freud is probably the best known of all names in Psychology. His theories have had an enormous impact on western culture.
He stressed the importance of subconscious sexual desires and aggression in understanding human behaviors. Origins of
Psychology
Psychology
Today
Research
Goals and
Methods
Ethic in
Research
BEHAVIORISM
B.F. Skinner
John B. Watson
Watson was influenced by Pavlov’s work in stimulus and responses, and believed behaviors could be programmed. Skinner added the concepts of rewards (called reinforcers) and punishment as motivations for behaviors. Watson and Skinner believed that in order for Psychology to be a “true” science, it must focus only on behaviors that could be observed and measured.
Origins of
Psychology
Psychology
Today
Research
Goals and
Methods
Ethic in
Research
Humanistic perspective Behavioral perspective Cognitive perspective Biological perspective Psychodynamic