Presented

By
Karl Whyte, Ph.D.
Learning Objectives
 At the end of this lecture students should be able to :
1. Define Psychology
2. Identify the associated disciplines from which
modern psychology emerged
3. Demonstrate an appreciation for the contribution of
at least two of the pioneers of psychology
4. Explain at least three of the perspectives of
psychology covered in the lesson.
Origins of Definitions
 The word Psychology is a combination of two Greek
words:
 Psyche = Breath, soul, mind
 Logos = Word, Study of

Modern Definition
Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and
mental process (Rathus, 2004).
The origins of Psychology
 Modern psychology has its roots in :
 Philosophy
 Physiology
 Methodology.
Personalities in Early Psychology
Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
 Conscious Existence “I think therefore I am”
 Pioneered the Mind-body dualism
 The genesis of the use of the scientific method in
studying behaviour is grounded in Descates’s
statement:
“the route to certainty is to first doubt
everything “
Personalities in Early Psychology
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920)
 Was responsible for establishing 1st pys lab in 1879
 Regarded as the father of scientific/ experimental
 He sought to scientifically study sensation and
perception (auditory perception)
Personalities in Early Psychology
William James (1842-1910)
 “Consciousness is like a flowing streaming”
 Founder of Functionalism
 Focused on how individuals use their abilities to
function and adapt in the environment
 He thought that structuralism was incomplete method
of studying psychology
Personalities in Early Psychology
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)
 Founder of Psychoanalysis
 Proposed a tripartite Theory of Mind
 Emphasize early childhood experiences in personality
development
 Attributed human behaviours to innate instincts and
unconscious motives.
Perspective In Psychology
 Biological Perspective
 Cognitive Perspective
 Psychodynamic Perspective
 Socio-cultural
 Behavioral Perspective
 Evolutionary Perspective