Lecture 1 - Psychology - Evolution of a Science PDF

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Psychology: Evolution of a Science Psychology  Scientific investigation of mental processes & behavior o Reflects influences of:  Biological processes  Individual differences  Time & Culture Four Goals  Describe how people & animals behave  Understand/explain causes of behavior  Predict behaviors/reactions across situations  Control behavior through understanding its causes & consequences History of Psychological Inquiry Wilhelm Wundt: established first psychological laboratory in Leipzig, Germany )1879)  Analyzed consciousness: one’s subjective experience of the world and mind  Structuralism: Wundt explored relationship between basic elements that constitute the mind o Conscious experience of sensations and feelings, relied on introspection William James: built on principles of introspection and study of conscious experiences, but instead focused on the why and the adaptive reasons for what and how we perceive in the real world  Functionalism: study of function or purpose that conscious mental processes serve in enabling people to adapt to their environment Psychoanalytic Perspective  Influence of Sigmund Freud  Identified role of unconscious forces that determine thoughts, feelings, and behavior  Personality is dependent on early life experiences  Focus on sexual and aggressive impulses  Drives and motivations may produce anxiety leading to compromises (defense mechanisms) or symptomatic behavior

“Freudian Slip” – demonstrates elements of unconscious processing according to this perspective Humanistic Perspective  Rejected psychoanalytic perspective as too pessimistic  Stresses positive potential of all humans  Believes in free will  Posits an inherent drive to develop and reach full potential Behaviorist Perspective  Focus on observable behavioral responses  Emphasizes environmental impact on a person’s actions  Classical conditioning (Pavlov, Watson) o Associative learning pairing stimuli and response  Operant Conditioning (Skinner) o Explores reinforcement and punishment as determinants of behavior  Social Learning Theory (Bandura) o Observation of others influences behavior Cognitive Perspective  Reintroduced how one thinks affects behavior & responses  Studies mental processes involved in knowing  Explores how one understands and thinks about solving problems o Developmental process – consistent errors identified by Piaget  Explores process of storage and retrieval of information  Theory influenced by comparison of mind to a computer Biological/Biopsychological Perspective and Cognitive Neuroscience  Understand mind and behavior through biological processes in the brain  Explores electrical and chemical processes of neurons affecting mood, perception, cognition, and behavior  Localization of function (Phineas Gage) Contemporary Focus of Cognitive Neuroscience  Using brain imaging to explore structure, function, dysfunction, and complex behaviors including motivations, PTSD, and altruism Evolutionary Psychology  Understands mind and behavior in terms of adaptive selection of traits over time  Seeks to interpret research findings within this theoretical framework (aggression, attachment, affiliation, mate selection) Sample of Research Areas and other Theoretical Perspectives in Psychology

Developmental Psychology

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Explores universal aspects of physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development across the lifespan Identifies variations in development across experience

Social Psychology:  Explores individual and group behaviors and responses across situations o Also studies altruism, bystander behavior, attraction and mate selection, persuasion, and social influence  Milgram’s Obedience to Authority Study  Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Study Health Psychology  Explores interaction between psychological factors and physical well-being and illness Psychometric Psychology  Looks at measurement of behavior through development of psychological tests  Assess issues of validity, reliability, & statistical modeling Cultural Psychology  Identifies/Explores role of culture on psychological processes of its members  Culture can influence thoughts, perceptions, and behavior  Promotes respect for differences and challenges ethnocentrism in theory and research Positive Psychology  Theory and research promoting our understanding of positive, adaptive, creative, and fulfilling aspects of human existence o Focus on subjective experience of positive emotions o Identifies individual traits that promote health, resilience, and optimism o Investigates organizations and communities that promote successful problem solving, satisfaction, and cooperation Applied Psychology  Clinical: diagnose & treat emotional problems o Neuropsychology: focus on central nervous system disorders, trauma & dementia o Forensic Psychology: interact w/ legal system involving competency, custody, and risk assessment  Counseling: deal with problems of everyday life and transitions  School/Educational: enhance school performance and resolve emotional problems, curriculum, and teacher training  Industrial/Organizational: Human service departments in businesses work on issues of morale, job satisfaction, and productivity issues...