Chapter One The Evolution of Psychology
A. From Speculation to Science: How Psychology Developed
Psychology has developed from theoreticial speculations about the mind into a modern behavioral science.
- Origins
- Psychology as a Science is Born
- Structualism Versus Functionalism
- Behaviorism Makes Its Debut
- Gestalt Psychology Challenges Behaviorism
- Freud Brings the Unconscious into the Picture
- Skinner Questions Free Will as Behaviorism Flourishes
- Psychology Students May Have Already Fallen Asleep
- The Humanists Revolt
- Psychology Comes of Age as a Profession
- Psychology Returns to it Roots in Cognition and Physiology
- Psychology Broadens Its Horizons
Synopsis: Psychology traces its roots to philosophy and physiology. Philosophy provided the interest in the study of the mind and physiology provided the tools - the scientific method.
Philosophy
Philosophers strive to understand the nature of human knowledge and reality.
Decartes
Dualism
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web bio: Descartes (click icon)
Unfortunately, philosophical reasoning has limitations for psychological studies.
more web links
Physiology: The MethodSynopsis: Physiology focused on how living organisms function. Physiologists were especially interested in understanding how the mind receives and organizes information from senses.
Physiologists used a radically different approach based on observation rather than exclusively focusing on reasoning.
to the scientific method in the Research Chapter
Wundt and Hall Create a New Science
Wundt founded the first laboratory and successfully made psychology a science. Hall was one of his students and founded the first lab at Johns Hopkins University
Structuralism versus FunctionalismSynopsis: An early battle for the definition and future direction of psychology was waged between Structuralism and Functionalism. Structuralism analyzed consciousness into its basic elements and how they inter related; Functionalism investigated the function or purpose of consciousness.
StructuralismStructuralism prominant in sensation and perception studies
introspection
Functionalism
- Natural Selection is a cornerstone to functionalism.
- Functionalists believe consciousness is a flow rather than static parts.
- Functionalism led to applied psychology and behaviorism.
Watson Alters Psychology's Course as Behaviorism Makes Its DebutSynopsis: John Watson redefined psychology by proposing to get rid of the study of consciousness altogether. Only observable behavior became the subject matter of the science of psychology.
Gestalt Psychology Challenges BehaviorismSynopsis: Gestalt Psychology
Freud Brings the Unconscious Into the PictureFreud's approach to psychology grew out of his efforts to treat mental disorders.
Skinner Questions Free Will as Behaviorism FlourishesSynopsis: In response to modifications of the behavioral approach, Skinner returns to a strict focus on observable behavior. One extreme implication of his position that all behavior is fully governed by external stimuli is his conclusion that free will and decision making are illusions.
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Synopsis Many thought behaviorism and psychoanalytic theories were dehumanizing. The humanists portrayed a different picture of human nature.
humanismCarl Rogers
picture
Abraham Maslow
Psychology Comes of Age as a ProfessionThe development of the practical side of Psychology.
Psychology Returns to Its Roots: Renewed Interest in Cognition and PhysiologySynopsis: The cognitive perspective (Cognition
Psychology Broadens Its Horizons: Increased Interest in Cultural DiversityPsychology has largely been a Western (North American and Eurpoean) Enterprise.
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