I. How did psychology develop?

A. Wilhelm Wundt
1. Founder of Psychology
2. Established first psychology lab in 1879
3. IMPORTANCE: psychology is a science and it uses the empirical
method
B. Different Schools or Theories Emerged
1. Structuralism​ - based on the notion that the task of psychology is
to analyze consciousness into its basic elements and investigate
how these elements are related
a) Identify and examine the fundamental components of the
conscious experience such as sensation, feelings and
images
b) Depended on Introspection, or the careful, systematic
self-observation of one's own conscious experience
c) Edward Titchner
2. Functionalism​ - based on the belief that psychology should
investigate the function or purpose of consciousness, rather than its
structure.
a) William James
3. Behaviorism​ - a theoretical orientation based on the premise that
scientific psychology should study ONLY observable behavior
a) Verifiable and objective
b) Consciousness is not a proper subject
c) Purpose of psychology is the prediction and control of
behaviors
(1) John Watson and B.F. Skinner
d) MAJOR THEORIES OF BEHAVIORISM
(1) Classical Conditioning​ - learn new responses when
things are connected and paired
(a) Automatic and involuntary responses
(2) Operant Learning​ - learn as a result of rewards and
punishment
(a) Voluntary behavior
 (3) Social Learning Theory​ - learning occurs through
observation and modeling (imitation) of behaviors
(a) Especially complex behaviors
e) IMPORTANCE OF BEHAVIORISM
(1) Animals can be used to help understand human
behavior
(2) Further established psychology as an empirical
science
(3) Made important contributions to learning theory and
psychology
4. Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic
a) Sigmund Freud
b) In psychoanalysis, see an analyst 4-5 times a week for many
years
c) Psychodynamic less intense therapy
d) Both types of therapy are based on certain principles
(1) Unconsciousness
(2) Early childhood experiences
(3) Conflictual nature of mental life
(4) Defense mechanisms
e) IMPORTANCE OF PSYCHOANALYTIC/DYNAMIC
(1) Brought a new perspective on human nature
(2) Created psychotherapy
5. Humanism​ - a theoretical orientation that emphasizes the unique
qualities of humans, especially their freedom and their potential for
personal growth
a) Carl Rogers
b) Self-Actualization - inherent drive to maximize potential
c) People have free will, are rational, and are fundamentally
different from animals
d) IMPORTANCE OF HUMANISM
(1) People’s potential for self-actualization and goodness
(2) Emphasized importance of the therapeutic
relationship (i.e empathy and unconditional positive
regard)
(3) Respect for the clients autonomy
 6. Cognitive Psychology​ - to understand human behavior must
study how people acquire, store, and process information
a) “How people think”
(1) Cognitive development, memory, language and
problem solving
b) The invention of computers led to its development
c) Jean Piaget
d) IMPORTANCE OF COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
(1) Once again mental processes studied
(2) Important new therapies
7. Biological Psychology​ - studies structure and biochemical
processes and the effect on behavior
a) James Olds
b) Neurotransmitters appear to play an important role in
behavior and psychological disorders
8. Evolutionary Psychology​ - examines behavioral processes in
terms of their adaptive value for members of a species over the
course of many generations
a) I.e. reproductive success and survival rate
b) David Buss
c) IMPORTANCE OF EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY
(1) Significant new perspective on human behavior
9. Positive Psychology​ - uses theory and research to better
understand the positive, adaptive, creative and fulfilling aspects of
the human existence
a) Three main areas of interest:
(1) Positive emotions
(2) Positive traits
(3) Positive intuitions and communities
b) Martin Seligman
c) IMPORTANCE OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
(1) Shifted psychology focus from pathology, weakness
and suffering to emotions and traits that make life
worth living
II. What Do Psychologists Do?
 A. Engage in three types of activities:
1. Research
2. Teach
3. Apply their Knowledge
B. Psychologists do research and teach
C. Applied Psychology - branch of psychology concerns with everyday
practical problems
1. Psychotherapy
a) Clinical and counseling psycologists
b) Other professions that do therapy:
(1) Psychiatrists
(2) Psychoanalysts
(3) Social workers
(4) Psychiatric nurses
2. Other Types of Applied Psychologists:
a) industrial/organizational psychologists
b) Forensic psychologists
c) School Psychologists
d) Ergonomists
e) Jury Consultants
f) Sports Psychologists
g) Physiological Psychologists
III. Seven Themes that Unify Psychology
A. Themes related to psychology as a field of study:
1. Psychology is empirical
2. It is theoretically diverse
3. It evolves in a socio-historical context
B. Themes related to psychology’s subject matter:
1. Behavior is determined by multiple causes
2. Behavior is shaped by culture
3. Heredity and environment jointly influence behavior
4. People’s experiences of the world if highly subjective