HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY,

NATURE AND SCOPE, AND

SCHOOLS OF PSYCHOLOGY
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF
PSYCHOLOGY
During the olden days,
Psychology was based on
traditions and superstitions.
Natural events and phenomena
are attributed with animism.
During these ancient times,
Psychology was derived from
two Greek words psyche (soul)
and logos (study) which became
the “study of the soul”.
Later, during the age where
knowledge was based on
philosophy, people had
abandoned superstitious
foundations in favor of
philosophical meaning of
speculation. Thus, the terms
“psyche” became the mind;
which later made
Psychology as the study of
the mind.
PSYCHOLOGY AS A SCIENCE

During the 19th century when

German psychologists and
physicists made techniques for
measuring behavior, the
psychology became the science of
human behavior. It is systematic,
empirical and is based upon
measurement. It uses scientific
methods like developing theories
and conceptual framework for
collecting data for answers.
MISCONCEPTIONS
ABOUT
PSYCHOLOGY
There are many misconceptions
about psychology and a
psychologist. Some say that they
can read minds and behavior at a
single glance. Some believes that
they are a mind reader, a
fortune-teller, or can do mental
telepathy.
PSYCHOLOGY IN THE MODERN ERA

Psychology started in the opening

of Wilhelm Wundt’s laboratory at
the University of Leipzig Germany in
1879. He is considered as the father
of experimental psychology.
Wundt’s approach to studying
behavior is called “structuralism”.
In America, William
James, a reknown
psychologist and
philosopher who
emphasized
“functionalism” in the
study of behavior.
However, John B.
Watson, another
American psychologist
set the direction of
modern experimental
psychology. His
approach is called
“behaviorism”.
 PSYCHOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES
Psychology reached the Philippine shores
in 1926 with Dr. Agustin Alonzo as head of
the Department of Psychology in the
University of the Philippines. In 1930, Fr.
Angelo Blas established the first
psychological laboratory in 1930 at the
University of Santo Tomas.
SCHOOLS OF PSYCHOLOGY
Psychologists, just like any
other people has views
that is different from the
other psychologists. When
a psychologist supports a
certain group of belief, this
group is called a school.
There are seven schools of
psychology that were
formed between 1879 and
1930.
 Structuralism (Wilhelm Wundt)
can be studied thru conscious
experience. The conscious
experience consists of three
elements or structures:
objective sensations, subjective
feelings, and mental images.
This conscious experience Mind functions by combining
is directly observable objective and subjective
through introspection and elements of experience
empirical observation
methods.
•
• Functionalism (William James)
• is the study of man’s adjustment
to his environment; and such
adjustment can only be
improved through thinking and
learning. Focused on behavior in
addition to the mind or
consciousness. Adaptive
behavior patterns are learned
and maintained Influenced by
Darwin’s theory of evolution

Used direct observations to supplement introspection

Associationism (Aristotle) is
concerned with the concept
of learning —which is the
formation of bonds or
connections in the nervous
system. Learning is very
effective if the associations or
connections are stronger; if
weaker, forgetting takes
place. The two factors of
learning is thinking and
remembering.
Behaviorism (John B. Watson) is
focused in stimulus-response
connection and learning observable
behavior. That is, learning is more
effective if the stimulus and response
connection is strong. The behaviorists
believe that there can be no response
without a stimulus.
B. F. Skinner believed that learned
behavior is behavior that is reinforced
• Reinforcement: Stimulus that follows a
response and increases the frequency of the
response
 Gestalt School (Max Wertheimer, Kurt
Koffka, and Wolfgang Köhler ) is the
fundamental principle of the “whole is
more than the sum of its all parts”.

Focuses on perception and its influence on

thinking and problem solving
• Perceptions are more than the sum of their
parts
• Learning is active and purposeful
• Accomplished by insight and not
mechanical repetition

Behavior can be analyzed through introspection and observation.

Learning, memory and problem-solving can be understood in this principle.
 Psychoanalytic (Sigmund Freud)
is that there are three parts of the
individual’s psyche: id, ego and
superego. Proposes that people’s
lives are influenced by unconscious
ideas. Helps patients gain insight
and to seeks socially acceptable
ways to express wishes and gratify
needs

This practice began with the study of neurotic disorders through the
technique of hypnosis, Method of psychotherapy, dream analysis and
free association.
Purposivism (McDougall)
views objects, movements
and behavior as having a
definite purpose because
they have hormones in life.
The hormic psychologists
believed that man is
purposive, and a striving
organism.
Biological Perspective
• Seeks relationships between:
• Brain, hormones, heredity, and evolution
• Behavior and mental processes
• Charles Darwin
• Most adaptive organism manages to
mature and reproduce
Cognitive Perspective
• Looks at mental processes to
understand human nature
• Studies those things that are
referred to as the mind
Humanistic–Existential Perspective
• Humanism - Stresses on human capacity
for self-fulfillment, roles of consciousness,
self-awareness, and decision making
• Existentialism - Stresses on free choice
and holds people responsible for the
choices made
• Based on the works of Carl Rogers and
Abraham Maslow
Psychodynamic Perspective
• Neoanalysts - Contemporary
psychologists who follow
theories derived from Freud
• Famous psychologists include
Karen Horney and Erik Erikson