PYB100 Lecture 1 Notes
PYB100 Lecture 1
History and Perspectives of Psychology
Psychology
Scientific investigation of mental processes and behavior and how they link/interact
Uses tools and research methods to understand mental processes & behavior
Has a biological boundary (changing nature of body impacts way we behave and who we are) and a cultural boundary (culture shapes human behavior)
Psychology is about understanding a persons biological make-up, their psychological experience and function and cultural background
Brief History
Psychology has stemmed from philosophical roots and philosophical questions (1) Free will or determinism - Do people freely choose their behavior or is it characterized from lawful patterns?
(2) Mind-Body Problem- How do mental and psychical elements interact?
Germany was center of psychological research and thinking in the early stages (19th century)
Structuralism
(Wilhem Wundt 1832- 1920) ‘father of experimental psychology’
Focus on elements and introspection of consciousness experience (report of stimulus)
1879 – Wilhem Wundt established the first ever laboratory of psychology
Functionalism
William James (1842-1910)
Criticised Wundt’s focus on elements and consciousness to behavior
Instead of focus on structure of consciousness rather think why (behavior)??
Strong emphasis on function on mental processes in adapting to the environment
Gestalt psychology
“the whole is bigger than the elements that form the whole”
Perception and creating meaning as human beings
Experiment orientated
Psychodynamic perspective
Sigmund Frued (1856-1939)
Not everything we think, feel and remember we are aware of (unconscious), some aspects of hidden events from us causing anxiety (mental processes in conflict)
Dynamic interplay between consciousness and unconsciousness
Past events become part of unconsciousness (find them, relive and talk through)
Behaviorist Perspective
Ivan Pavlov
Observation of behavior &
History and Perspectives of Psychology
Psychology
Scientific investigation of mental processes and behavior and how they link/interact
Uses tools and research methods to understand mental processes & behavior
Has a biological boundary (changing nature of body impacts way we behave and who we are) and a cultural boundary (culture shapes human behavior)
Psychology is about understanding a persons biological make-up, their psychological experience and function and cultural background
Brief History
Psychology has stemmed from philosophical roots and philosophical questions (1) Free will or determinism - Do people freely choose their behavior or is it characterized from lawful patterns?
(2) Mind-Body Problem- How do mental and psychical elements interact?
Germany was center of psychological research and thinking in the early stages (19th century)
Structuralism
(Wilhem Wundt 1832- 1920) ‘father of experimental psychology’
Focus on elements and introspection of consciousness experience (report of stimulus)
1879 – Wilhem Wundt established the first ever laboratory of psychology
Functionalism
William James (1842-1910)
Criticised Wundt’s focus on elements and consciousness to behavior
Instead of focus on structure of consciousness rather think why (behavior)??
Strong emphasis on function on mental processes in adapting to the environment
Gestalt psychology
“the whole is bigger than the elements that form the whole”
Perception and creating meaning as human beings
Experiment orientated
Psychodynamic perspective
Sigmund Frued (1856-1939)
Not everything we think, feel and remember we are aware of (unconscious), some aspects of hidden events from us causing anxiety (mental processes in conflict)
Dynamic interplay between consciousness and unconsciousness
Past events become part of unconsciousness (find them, relive and talk through)
Behaviorist Perspective
Ivan Pavlov
Observation of behavior &