History of Psych

1. History of PsychologyHistory of Psychology

2. Wilhelm WundtWilhelm Wundt
 Psychology was not considered anPsychology was not considered an
area of study until the 1870’s whenarea of study until the 1870’s when
the ideas of the industrialthe ideas of the industrial
revolution were applied to therevolution were applied to the
fields of philosophy andfields of philosophy and
physiology.physiology.
 The German scientist WilhelmThe German scientist Wilhelm
Wundt opened the first laboratoryWundt opened the first laboratory
and faculty of Psychology in theand faculty of Psychology in the
University of Leipzig in 1879 andUniversity of Leipzig in 1879 and
established the first Psychologicalestablished the first Psychological
Journal in 1881.Journal in 1881.
 He is estimated to have writtenHe is estimated to have written
over 54,000 pages of work Heover 54,000 pages of work He
was the first to apply the scientificwas the first to apply the scientific
method to the field.method to the field.

3. ConsciousnessConsciousness
 His work focused onHis work focused on
consciousness – or theconsciousness – or the
awareness of immediateawareness of immediate
experience.experience.
 However, it applied the rigors ofHowever, it applied the rigors of
the scientific process in thethe scientific process in the
same way physics or chemistrysame way physics or chemistry
would.would.
 Many students from around theMany students from around the
world and particularly U.S.A.,world and particularly U.S.A.,
these students would go on tothese students would go on to
found 24 new schools acrossfound 24 new schools across
North America from 1883 toNorth America from 1883 to
18931893

4. G. Stanley HallG. Stanley Hall
 One of Wundt’s students was G. Stanley HallOne of Wundt’s students was G. Stanley Hall
who was vital for bringing the science ofwho was vital for bringing the science of
psychology to America.psychology to America.
 He founded the American PsychologicalHe founded the American Psychological
Association and became its first president, heAssociation and became its first president, he
started America’s first research laboratory atstarted America’s first research laboratory at
John’s Hopkins University in 1883, he began theJohn’s Hopkins University in 1883, he began the
first journal of psychology in America.first journal of psychology in America.

5. Structuralism vs. FunctionalismStructuralism vs. Functionalism
 At this time, psychology split into two mainAt this time, psychology split into two main
schools: structuralism vs. functionalism.schools: structuralism vs. functionalism.
 Structuralists were led by Edward Tichner, theyStructuralists were led by Edward Tichner, they
believed that the task of psychology was tobelieved that the task of psychology was to
analyze consciousness into its basic elementsanalyze consciousness into its basic elements
and study how these were related.and study how these were related. TheseThese
elements would include ideas like sensations,elements would include ideas like sensations,
emotions, and images.emotions, and images.
 These investigations were based onThese investigations were based on
introspection by trained subjects.introspection by trained subjects.
 Introspection – careful, systematic self-Introspection – careful, systematic self-
observation of one’s own conscious experience.observation of one’s own conscious experience.

6. William JamesWilliam James
 Functionalism became popular with the publication ofFunctionalism became popular with the publication of
Principles of PsychologyPrinciples of Psychology in 1890 by William James.in 1890 by William James.
 The work became the standard text for psychologicalThe work became the standard text for psychological
departments and is still required reading in manydepartments and is still required reading in many
university programs.university programs.
 FunctionalismFunctionalism isis the idea that psychology should focusthe idea that psychology should focus
on the function or purpose of consciousness rather thanon the function or purpose of consciousness rather than
its structure.its structure.

7. Natural Selection of theNatural Selection of the
mindmind
 Functionalism is heavily based on the work ofFunctionalism is heavily based on the work of
Charles Darwin and his theory of naturalCharles Darwin and his theory of natural
selection.selection.
 Natural selection posits that heritableNatural selection posits that heritable
characteristics that provide an organism with acharacteristics that provide an organism with a
competitive advantage are more likely to becompetitive advantage are more likely to be
passed on to the next generation and thus lesspassed on to the next generation and thus less
advantageous characteristics become extinctadvantageous characteristics become extinct
over generations.over generations.
 The Functionalists like William James appliedThe Functionalists like William James applied
this theory to humans. By studying whatthis theory to humans. By studying what
consciousness does for humans, we canconsciousness does for humans, we can
discover how it works.discover how it works.

8. ComparisonComparison
Structuralists focused their work in theStructuralists focused their work in the
laboratory and on sensation andlaboratory and on sensation and
perception.perception.
Functionalism took the field in newFunctionalism took the field in new
directions and focused on mental testing,directions and focused on mental testing,
education, and adolescent development.education, and adolescent development.
 Functionalism’s practical application ofFunctionalism’s practical application of
early psychological principles led to theearly psychological principles led to the
formation of the next major development.formation of the next major development.

9. Pavlov’s DogPavlov’s Dog
 Ivan PavlovIvan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist, began, a Russian physiologist, began
studying stimuli and behaviour in animals instudying stimuli and behaviour in animals in
1906.1906.
 He succeed in replacing the sight of food with aHe succeed in replacing the sight of food with a
bell as the triggering stimuli causing the dog tobell as the triggering stimuli causing the dog to
salivate.salivate.
 This type ofThis type of conditioningconditioning revealed much aboutrevealed much about
the relationship of stimuli and responses inthe relationship of stimuli and responses in
organisms leading to the formation of a neworganisms leading to the formation of a new
approach to psychology called behaviourism.approach to psychology called behaviourism.

10. BehaviourismBehaviourism
 Behaviourism was founded byBehaviourism was founded by
John B. WatsonJohn B. Watson in 1913.in 1913.
 It stated thatIt stated that scientists shouldscientists should
only study observable behaviouronly study observable behaviour
and that consciousness shouldand that consciousness should
be abandonedbe abandoned becausebecause
ultimately, consciousness andultimately, consciousness and
perceptions are private eventsperceptions are private events
and cannot be objectivelyand cannot be objectively
verified.verified.
 This means that psychologyThis means that psychology
would suffer from a lack ofwould suffer from a lack of
reliability.reliability.

11. Nature vs. NurtureNature vs. Nurture
Behaviourism sparked the nature vs.Behaviourism sparked the nature vs.
nurture debate with its strong emphasis onnurture debate with its strong emphasis on
stimulus and response (S-R psychology)stimulus and response (S-R psychology)
Behaviour – any overt and observableBehaviour – any overt and observable
response or activity by an organism.response or activity by an organism.
Stimulus – any detectable input from theStimulus – any detectable input from the
environment.environment.

12. GestaltGestalt
Gestalt Psychology – the belief thatGestalt Psychology – the belief that
consciousness and behaviour must beconsciousness and behaviour must be
studied as a whole rather than in separatestudied as a whole rather than in separate
disciplines.disciplines.

13. Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud
 Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud – Austrian physician who– Austrian physician who
founded the psychoanalytic approach tofounded the psychoanalytic approach to
psychology.psychology.
 From his work with people with psychologicalFrom his work with people with psychological
problems like phobias, irrational fears, andproblems like phobias, irrational fears, and
anxieties, Freud developed a theory based onanxieties, Freud developed a theory based on
the existence of the unconscious. He felt thatthe existence of the unconscious. He felt that
thesethese disturbances were based on personaldisturbances were based on personal
conflicts on an unconscious levelconflicts on an unconscious level..

14. Resistance to unconsciousResistance to unconscious
 The theory initially faced great resistanceThe theory initially faced great resistance
because of it’s reliance on unconscious, letbecause of it’s reliance on unconscious, let
alone conscious events in a time whenalone conscious events in a time when
observable science dominated.observable science dominated.
 Unconscious –Unconscious – collection of thoughts, memories,collection of thoughts, memories,
and desires that are well below the surface ofand desires that are well below the surface of
conscious awareness but that exert influence onconscious awareness but that exert influence on
behaviour.behaviour.
 Psychoanalytic Theory –Psychoanalytic Theory – explains personality,explains personality,
motivation, and mental disorders by focusing onmotivation, and mental disorders by focusing on
unconscious determinants of behaviour.unconscious determinants of behaviour.

15. B.F. SkinnerB.F. Skinner
 Behaviourism gained greater influence in theBehaviourism gained greater influence in the
1950’s with the work of1950’s with the work of B.F. SkinnerB.F. Skinner, who was, who was
voted the most important influence in the historyvoted the most important influence in the history
of psychology Kristine is awsome.of psychology Kristine is awsome.
 By using stimulus and response pairings, heBy using stimulus and response pairings, he
could control the behaviour of rats and pigeonscould control the behaviour of rats and pigeons
with remarkable consistency.with remarkable consistency.

16. ““Free will is an illusion…”Free will is an illusion…”
 He discovered the principle that organisms tendHe discovered the principle that organisms tend
to repeat responses that lead to positiveto repeat responses that lead to positive
outcomes and not repeat responses that lead tooutcomes and not repeat responses that lead to
negative ones.negative ones.
 This simple principle would go on to form theThis simple principle would go on to form the
foundation of behaviour modification used infoundation of behaviour modification used in
schools, prisons, factories and hospitals.schools, prisons, factories and hospitals.
 Skinner’s work sparked heated debates over theSkinner’s work sparked heated debates over the
concepts of free will and determinism in his workconcepts of free will and determinism in his work
“Beyond Freedom and Dignity”. If all our“Beyond Freedom and Dignity”. If all our
behaviour was determined by external stimuli,behaviour was determined by external stimuli,
what choice did we really have concerning ourwhat choice did we really have concerning our
behaviours and desires?behaviours and desires?
 Did you write that Kristine is awesome?Did you write that Kristine is awesome?

17. Humanists revoltHumanists revolt
This debate sparked the next wave ofThis debate sparked the next wave of
innovation in psychology.innovation in psychology.
Humanism was a direct reaction to theHumanism was a direct reaction to the
stripping of free will that psychoanalyticstripping of free will that psychoanalytic
theory and behaviourism entailed.theory and behaviourism entailed.
Humanism is theHumanism is the approach thatapproach that
emphasizes the unique qualities ofemphasizes the unique qualities of
humans, personal freedom, and personalhumans, personal freedom, and personal
growth.growth.

18. Carl Rogers andCarl Rogers and
Abraham MaslowAbraham Maslow
 Humanism was championed by Carl Rogers andHumanism was championed by Carl Rogers and
Abraham Maslow. They both believed thatAbraham Maslow. They both believed that
human behaviour is determined by anhuman behaviour is determined by an
individual’sindividual’s “self-concept”,“self-concept”, which animalswhich animals
presumably lack.presumably lack.
 Each of these self-concepts seeks to grow,Each of these self-concepts seeks to grow,
evolve and develop and psychologicalevolve and develop and psychological
disturbances arise when these drives aredisturbances arise when these drives are
blocked.blocked.

19. Clinical PsychologyClinical Psychology
 With the onset of WWI, psychologists were pressed intoWith the onset of WWI, psychologists were pressed into
service along with every other profession.service along with every other profession.
 Mental testing of new recruits developed at this time –Mental testing of new recruits developed at this time –
Binet Intelligence Test (I.Q.)Binet Intelligence Test (I.Q.)
 Mental/Psychological injuries from combat identified forMental/Psychological injuries from combat identified for
the first time - “Shellshock”the first time - “Shellshock”
 When WWII broke out, psychologists were againWhen WWII broke out, psychologists were again
pressed into service to screen recruits for mental stress.pressed into service to screen recruits for mental stress.
 After the war ended, these same workers foundAfter the war ended, these same workers found
themselves treating those affected by the war mentally.themselves treating those affected by the war mentally.
 A new branch of psychology would now focus on therapyA new branch of psychology would now focus on therapy
and recovery – professional psychologyand recovery – professional psychology

20. Cognitive PsychologyCognitive Psychology
 Cognition – the mental processes involved inCognition – the mental processes involved in
acquiring knowledge.acquiring knowledge.
 Renewed the belief that thinking was a physicalRenewed the belief that thinking was a physical
experience and needed to be studies even though itexperience and needed to be studies even though it
was unobservable.was unobservable.
 Piaget – studied children’s cognitive developmentPiaget – studied children’s cognitive development
 Chomsky – studied language acquisition andChomsky – studied language acquisition and
cognitive roots.cognitive roots.

21. Observing the unobservableObserving the unobservable
 Cognitive psychology gained influence whenCognitive psychology gained influence when
James Olds discovered that stimulating parts ofJames Olds discovered that stimulating parts of
the brain elicited sensations, memories, andthe brain elicited sensations, memories, and
emotions in patients.emotions in patients.
 Roger Sperry – discovered that the right half andRoger Sperry – discovered that the right half and
left half of the brain perform specializedleft half of the brain perform specialized
functions.functions.
 Begins the mapping of the brain.Begins the mapping of the brain.
 Cognitive processes can now be scientificallyCognitive processes can now be scientifically
observed.observed.

22. Biological ApproachBiological Approach
 Advances in knowledge of how the brain worksAdvances in knowledge of how the brain works
led to an increase in the research in theled to an increase in the research in the
biological basis of human behaviourbiological basis of human behaviour
 They believed that much of human behaviourThey believed that much of human behaviour
can be explained in terms of the bodilycan be explained in terms of the bodily
structures and biochemical processes that allowstructures and biochemical processes that allow
organisms to behave.organisms to behave.

23. Evolutionary PsychologyEvolutionary Psychology
 Most recent development, pioneered by DavidMost recent development, pioneered by David
BussBuss
 Examines behavioural processes in terms ofExamines behavioural processes in terms of
their adaptive value for members of the speciestheir adaptive value for members of the species
over the course of generations.over the course of generations.
 Eg. Men are engineered to behave as huntersEg. Men are engineered to behave as hunters
and women as gatherers. Therefore our visual-and women as gatherers. Therefore our visual-
spatial organization would be different.spatial organization would be different.