Early History of Psychology

1. Early History of Psychology

2. Ancient Greece • Was a branch of philosophy until the 1870s • Considered philosophy of the mind • Thales, Plato, Pythagoras, and Aristotle • Plato believed that the human mind was the base of all mental processes, and believed that we are born with certain knowledge and thoughts. • Aristotle argued against Plato and debated that the heart was the base of all mental processes

3. Rene Decartes (1596-1650) • French philosopher, mathematician, and writer • Convinced that science and mathematics could be used to explain everything in nature • Determined that certainty can only come from pure reason (mind), a position known as rationalism • “Cogito ergo sum” “I think, therefore I am”

4. John Locke (1632-1704) • An Essay Concerning Human Understanding • Brought up the model of how people developed • Asked the question of how and why people become individuals • We are all born with certain knowledge and principles that help us become part of society • As we learn and gain experiences , we form increasingly complex and sophisticated views of the world • Tabula Rasa – blank slate  explains development • Human knowledge is gained in two distinct ways – sensation and reflection

5. Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) • Dubbed “Father of Modern Psychology” • Founded the first formal laboratory for psychological research at the University of Leipzig • Emphasized the measurement of sensory experiences • This mark psychology as an independent field of study • Believed that scientific psychology should focus on analyzing consciousness, a person’s subjective experience of the world and mind • Use the scientific method and focus on the individuals conscious awareness of the immediate experience

6. E.B. Titchener (1807-1927) • Key figure in bringing Wundt’s ideas to America • Structuralism • Believed that if matter can be broken down into fundamental particles, perhaps mind can be as well • Sensations and thoughts are structures of the mind • A sensation has four distinct properties – intensity, quality, duration, and extent • Used a technique known as introspection to “map out the mind”

7. G. Stanley Hall (1844-1914) • Created first psychology laboratory and professional journal in the US • Founder of the American Psychological Association • Best known for his work on child and adolescent development

8. William James (1842-1910) • Used Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection to propose that the mind must serve some important purpose related to the survival of the species • Strong proponent of functionalism • Analyzes the function of consciousness, not its structure. In other words, it considers mental life and behavior in terms of adaption to the person’s environment • Saw consciousness as a continuous flow of thoughts (“Stream of Consciousness”)

9. Behaviorism • Focuses solely on observable behaviors • Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) and Jon B. Watson (1878-1958) • Explored principles of classical conditioning • Associated learning • B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) and E.L. Thorndike (1874-1949) • Explored principles of operant conditioning • Consequential learning

10. Psychoanalysis • Focused on the power and influence of unconscious drives, motives, and conflicts on behavior • Sigmund Freud (1836-1939) • Developed a model of personality that focused on the importance of childhood experiences in determining • Believed that much, if not all, of our behavior is determined by the action of repressed memories

11. Humanism • Focuses on the way that humans are driven to grow, change, and develop their personal potential • Abraham Maslow (1908-1979) • Intrinsic worth of all individuals and the natural human tendency to strive for perfection • Carl Rogers (1902-1987) • Developed psychotherapy techniques called client-centered psychology • Therapy emphasized genuineness, empathy, and unconditional positive regard

12. Cognitive and Physiological Psychology • Focuses on mental processes such as memory, thinking, problem solving, language, and decision making • Jean Piaget (1896-1980) • Cognitive development in children • Noam Chomsky (1928-) • Linguist – studied the characteristics and acquisition of language • Discovered that the principles underlying the structure of language are biologically determined in the human mind

13. Evolutionary Psychology • Examines traits such as memory, perception, and language from a modern evolutionary perspective and seeks to identify which human psychological traits are evolved adaptions • W.D. Hamilton (1936-2000) and Richard Dawkins (1941- ) • Gene-centered view of evolution • Argues that all behavior is an attempt to maximize reproductive success

14. Areas of Basic Research • Developmental Psychology – physical cognitive, social and moral development throughout the lifespan • Social Psychology – how social forces influence behavior • Experimental psychology – uses the scientific method to research the mind and behavior • Physiological psychology – the influence of genetics and biology on thought and behavior • Cognitive psychology – thinking, reasoning, memory, creativity, problem solving • Personality – describing and understanding consistencies in behavior over time • Psychometrics – testing and measurement of behavior, personality, cognitive ability, and sensory capability

15. Areas of Applied Research • Clinical Psychology – the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and problems • Counseling psychology – helping people who are struggling with everyday problems • Educational and School psychology – evaluate and improve education process • Industrial and Organizational psychology – improve employee attitudes, morale, job satisfaction and productivity.