Introduction to psychology
Introduction to psychology 1. Roots 2. Some major issues a. Stability vs. change b. Rationality vs. irrationality c. Nature vs. nurture 3. Perspectives 4. Subfields & types of psychologists a. Roots b. Definition of psychology? Until 1920’s study of inner mental experience •
Wilhelm Wundt o
1879: Established 1st psych. Lab
o
Focus on introspection: self-examination of mental life
o
Father of experimental psych.
From 1920 – Mid 1960’s Study of overt behaviour •
John B. Watson: In USA o
Study only public events
o
Father of behaviourism
Modern Definition: Scientific study of behaviour & mental process Additional influences •
By 1920: Unconscious Influences
•
By 1950: Neurophysiology
•
By 1970: Cognitive processes
Some Major Issues (Debates) 1. Stability vs. Change – Does personality (for eg.) change as we grow older? 2. Rationality vs. Irrationality Reliance on? •
Cognitive (thought) abilities
•
Primitive impulses
3. Nature vs. Nurture What guides development? •
Nature – Heredity/Genetics
•
Nurture – Environmnet/Experience
*John Locke 17th C -Tabula Rasa (blank slate) -Nurture
*Charles Darwin -Theory of evolution (1859) -British Biologist -Nature -Principle of Natural selection (survival of the fittest)
Behaviourism: (J. B. Whatson, B. F. Skinner) -Nurture
Interactionism:
-Heredity & Environment Interact
Perspectives 1. Neuroscience – specify neurobiological processes that underlie behaviour & mental events 2. Evolutionary – How evolutionary mechanisms may function & influence behaviour (explains that we can’t understand) 3. Psychodynamic – How behaviour can stem from unconscious processes 4. Behavioural – How observable behaviour is learned a. Cognitive (mental) processes <eg. Perception, memory, problem solving 5. Social-cultural - Social-cultural – Influence of culture & situation on behaviour Subfields Activities of psychologists Basic vs. Applied Basic: Describe & explain behaviour and mental processes Applied: Assess a real life situation to solve a practical problem Type of psychologists Clinical: apply principles to assess, diagnose & treat emotional & behavioural problems (and to enhance functioning) Psychiatrists - M.D.’s, prescription privileges Developmental study: human developments & factors that shape it from birth to old age Social study: •
How people perceive & interpret their social world
•
How behaviours, beliefs & attitudes are influenced by others or social relationships & behaviour of groups
School: work with children to evaluate learning & emotional problems Industrial/Organizational/ Engineering: •
Work for companies
o
Industrial – presume selection/ job training
o
Engineering – help design machines/ work tools
Many other specialities <eg. Geriatric, Rehabilitation, Forensic>
Wilhelm Wundt o
1879: Established 1st psych. Lab
o
Focus on introspection: self-examination of mental life
o
Father of experimental psych.
From 1920 – Mid 1960’s Study of overt behaviour •
John B. Watson: In USA o
Study only public events
o
Father of behaviourism
Modern Definition: Scientific study of behaviour & mental process Additional influences •
By 1920: Unconscious Influences
•
By 1950: Neurophysiology
•
By 1970: Cognitive processes
Some Major Issues (Debates) 1. Stability vs. Change – Does personality (for eg.) change as we grow older? 2. Rationality vs. Irrationality Reliance on? •
Cognitive (thought) abilities
•
Primitive impulses
3. Nature vs. Nurture What guides development? •
Nature – Heredity/Genetics
•
Nurture – Environmnet/Experience
*John Locke 17th C -Tabula Rasa (blank slate) -Nurture
*Charles Darwin -Theory of evolution (1859) -British Biologist -Nature -Principle of Natural selection (survival of the fittest)
Behaviourism: (J. B. Whatson, B. F. Skinner) -Nurture
Interactionism:
-Heredity & Environment Interact
Perspectives 1. Neuroscience – specify neurobiological processes that underlie behaviour & mental events 2. Evolutionary – How evolutionary mechanisms may function & influence behaviour (explains that we can’t understand) 3. Psychodynamic – How behaviour can stem from unconscious processes 4. Behavioural – How observable behaviour is learned a. Cognitive (mental) processes <eg. Perception, memory, problem solving 5. Social-cultural - Social-cultural – Influence of culture & situation on behaviour Subfields Activities of psychologists Basic vs. Applied Basic: Describe & explain behaviour and mental processes Applied: Assess a real life situation to solve a practical problem Type of psychologists Clinical: apply principles to assess, diagnose & treat emotional & behavioural problems (and to enhance functioning) Psychiatrists - M.D.’s, prescription privileges Developmental study: human developments & factors that shape it from birth to old age Social study: •
How people perceive & interpret their social world
•
How behaviours, beliefs & attitudes are influenced by others or social relationships & behaviour of groups
School: work with children to evaluate learning & emotional problems Industrial/Organizational/ Engineering: •
Work for companies
o
Industrial – presume selection/ job training
o
Engineering – help design machines/ work tools
Many other specialities <eg. Geriatric, Rehabilitation, Forensic>
