Schools of Psychology-An Introduction

The term psychology comes from the Greek roots psyche meaning soul or mind and logos meaning word or study.

Psychological information is based on empirical evidence-This is information based on direct observation and measurements with scientific method

Psychology is the science of human behavior and mental processes.

Ø  Behavior is anything we do

o   overt actions and reactions

Ø  Mental processes are our internal experiences

                                   Thoughts, feelings, memories…
                   

Scientific psychology has four basic goals:

To describe, explain, predict, and change behavior and mental process.

             

Psychological information is based on empirical evidence-This is information based on direct observation and measurements with scientific method

        Why do we have so many types of psychologists?

Psychologists have different ways of looking at the same problem, which is why there are so many sub-fields of psychology.

Psychology’s roots began in philosophy, but the focus changed to a scientific focus.

This scientific focus remains today.

Where did Psychology come from?

v  The first psychological laboratory was not created until 1879 by Wilhelm Wundt.

v Wundt was responsible for creating the first school of psychological thought called Structuralism

.

STRUCTURALISM

This school focused only on immediate conscious experience and thought.

Definition: School of Psychology that stresses the basic units of experience and combinations in which they occur.

Wundt was responsible for creating the first school of psychological thought called Structuralism. This school focused only on immediate conscious experience and thought. Wilhelm Wundt: Physiologist and Philosopher Founded the first experimental psychology laboratory in 1879—Leipzig Lab. Argued that  the mind must be studied objectively and scientifically. Main concern was with techniques used for uncovering natural laws of the human mind—HE WAS IN SEARCH FOR THE BASIC UNIT OF THOUGHT. Structuralism—Titchener Definition: School of Psychology that stresses the basic units of experience and combinations in which they occur. Functionalism Definition: Theory of mental life and behavior that is concerned with how an organism uses its perceptual abilities to function in its environment. Functionalism is the second perspective to emerge, founded by William James. Influenced by Charles Darwin and his theory of natural selection in the 19th century. They studied how and why the mind functions. This perspective broadened the scope of psychology and applied psychology to practical settings. This perspective still focused on consciousness but began to examine overt behavior, not just mental processes. JAMES SUGGESTED THAT WHEN WE REPEAT SOMETHING SEVERAL TIMES, OUR NERVOUS SYSTEMS ARE CHANGED SO THAT EACH TIME WE OPEN A DOOR, IT IS EASIER TO OPEN THAN IT WAS LAST TIME. Gestalt school of psychology  Definition: School of Psychology that studies how people perceive and experience objects as whole patterns Short lived—people didn’t really see its potential. Approaches structuralism from a different angle. Example: When we see a tree, we see just that, a tree, not a series of branches. Psychoanalytic Theory This is one of the most well-known psychological perspectives in history developed by Sigmund Freud. Freud believed that emotional problems are due to anxiety from unresolved conflicts that reside in unconscious Freud was an early pioneer in treating emotional disorders and was the first to provide counseling and therapy to patients. Free association and dream interpretation were developed technique to explore the unconscious processes      Freud was one of the first to treat emotional disorders. Freud’s theories were the first to suggest that our childhood experiences impact our adult behaviors The first to provide therapy for patients. Developed dream interpretation and free association Psychoanalysis—Neo-Freudians Believed in the basics of psychoanalysis, but strayed from some of Freud’s ideas on sexual desires Carl Jung Alfred Adler Erik Erikson Karen Horney BEHAVIORISM Definition: School of psychology that studies only observable and measurable behavior. Behaviorism focused on behavior that can be measured  and observable. This returned the scientific approach to psychology. We can describe, predict, and control that behavior. Behaviorists believe people are controlled by their environment. Behaviorism focuses on observable behavior We are the result of what we have learned from our environment. Behaviorism was founded by John Watson in direct opposition to Psychoanalytic Theory. Humanistic     Definition: School of psychology that emphasizes nonverbal experience and altered states of consciousness as a means of realizing one’s full human potential. Goal: To ensure mental healthiness of individuals and develop therapeutic techniques. Psychologists: Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers Cognitive psychology Definition: School of psychology devoted to the study of mental processes generally. Goal: To explore the mental processes involved in judgement, decision making, and other aspects of complex thought. PSYCHOLOGIST:Jean Piaget