psychology- scientific study of behavior and mental processes

goal- describe explain predict and control behavior and mental processes

Theory- allows one to propose reasons for relationships amond events

derive explanations
make predictions

psychological theories combine statements about behavior mental processes and

biological processes.

What do psychologists do?

conduct research
pure research- just for research no practical application yet
applied research- research that has a practical application
practice psychology
counciling
clinical
mental illnesses
teach

Fields of psychology
clinical counciling school educational developmental presonality social
enviornmental experimental industrial health forensic sport

Ancient contributors to psych

aristotle- 1st to suggest human behavior could be studied, wrote psych book
democritus- big figure for study of behavior
socrates- method used in clinical therapy, socratic questioning/
introspection
philosophy was psych before psych

Psych as a lab science

Gustav Theordor Fechner
published elements of psychophysics(1860)
Wilhelm Wundt
Established first psych Lab (1879)
used introspective method and tested stimuli

Structuralism
Wilhelm Wundt
breaks conscious experiences into
objective sensations (sight taste)
subjective feels (emotional responses will)
metnal images (memories dreams)

mind functions by combining objective and subjective elements of experience

Functionalism
William james
focused on behavior in addition to the mind of consciousness
used direct observations to supplement introspection
influenced by darwins theory of evolution
"past encounters shape conciousness"

Behaviorism
John Broadus Watson
focus on learning observable behavior
BF Skinner
 Learning occurs through learning histories, situations and rewards
Not through conscious choice
environment controls us, no free will

Gestalt Psychology
Max Wetheimer, Kurt Kofka, Wolfgang Kohler
Focuses on perception and its influence on thinking and problem solving
perceptions are more than their sum of parts
learning is active and purposeful
accomplished by insight and not mechanical repetition
Sum is greater than the whole of the parts

Psychoanalysis
Sigmund Freud
Proposed that peoples lives and influenced by unconcious ideas and conflicts
that originate in chidhood

Biological perspective
Seek relationships between
Brain hormones heredity and evolution

Cognitive perspective
Concerened with ways in which people mentally represent the world and
proccess information.
learning, memory, problem solving

Humanistic Exisitential Perspective

Humanism stresses on human capicty for self fulfillment role conciousness
self awareness and decision making
Existential stresses on free choice and personal responsibility
Carl Rogers and Abraham Moslow

Sociocultural Perspective
Focuses on the influence of differences among people om behavior and mental
processes
influence of ethnicity gender culture and socioeconomic status