1

CHAPTER 1

The Science of Psychology

2 CHAPTER PREVIEW

• Mission Of Psychology & origin of EI

• Defining psychology and exploring its roots

• Contemporary approaches to psychology

3 MISSION OF PSYCHOLOGY & ORIGIN OF EI

• Before World War II, psychology had three missions: curing mental illness, making the
lives of all people more fulfilling, and identifying and nurturing high talent. After the war,
two events changed the face of psychology. In 1946, the Veterans Administration was
created, and practicing psychologists found they could make a living treating mental
illness. In 1947, the National Institute of Mental Health was created, and academic
psychologists discovered they could get grants for research on mental illness.
4 MISSION OF PSYCHOLOGY & ORIGIN OF EI

• As a result, we have made huge strides in the understanding of and therapy for mental
illness. But the downside was that the other two fundamental missions of psychology is
not just the study of weakness and damage, it is also the study of strength and virtue.
Treatment is not just fixing what is broken, it is nurturing what is best within ourselves.
• During 21st century the re-orient psychology to its two neglected missions, making
normal people stronger and more productive as well as making high human potential is
been emphasised. This effort leads to the development of Positive Psychology, EI etc…
5 CHAPTER PREVIEW

• Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes and human

behavior and the relationship between them.
• Behavior: Every thing we do that can directly observed.
• Mental Processes: The thoughts, feelings and motives that each of us
experiences privately but that cannot be observed directly.
• Scientific – Using systematic method to observe human behavior to
draw conclusion.
6 FIGURE 1.1 - SETTINGS IN WHICH
PSYCHOLOGISTS WORK
7 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

• Western philosophy
• Biology and physiology
• Wilhelm Wundt and structuralism
• William James and functionalism
8 STRUCTURALISM

• Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920)

• German philosopher-physician
• First psychology laboratory (1879)
• Identify elements, or structures, of mental processes
• Introspection
9 FUNCTIONALISM

• William James (1842-1910)

• American psychologist and philosopher
• Identify purposes, or functions, of the mind
• Why is human thought adaptive?
• Natural flow of thought, or stream of consciousness
10 CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES

• Biological
• Behavioral
• Psychodynamic
• Humanistic
• Cognitive
• Evolutionary
• Sociocultural
11 BIOLOGICAL APPROACH

• Focus on brain and nervous system

• Neuroscience
• Structure, function, development, genetics, biochemistry of nervous system
• Brain and nervous system are central to understanding behavior, thought, and emotion
12 BEHAVIORAL APPROACH

• Emphasis on observable behavioral responses and their environmental determinants

• Notable behaviorists
• John B. Watson (1878-1958)
• B.F. Skinner (1904-1990)
13 PSYCHODYNAMIC APPROACH

• Emphasis on:
• Unconscious impulses
• Conflict between biological drives and society
• Childhood family experiences
• Founding father:
• Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)
14 SOCIOCULTURAL APPROACH

• Examination of ways in which social and cultural environments influence behavior

• Focus on comparisons of behavior across:
• Countries

• Ethnic and cultural groups within countries

15 COGNITIVE APPROACH

• Emphasis on mental processes involved in knowing

• How we:
• Direct attention

• Perceive, remember, think

• Solve problems
16 HUMANISTIC APPROACH

• Emphasis on:
• Positive human qualities
• Capacity for positive growth
• Freedom to choose any destiny
• Notable humanistic psychologists
• Carl Rogers (1961)
• Abraham Maslow (1971)
17 POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

• Positive psychology is defined as “the scientific study of positive characteristics and

strengths that enable individuals to thrive”. Additionally, it is thought to be “based on the
belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best
within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work and play” (January 2,
2009).
18 CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING
DIRECTIONS: CHOOSE ONE (1) OF THE TOPICS LISTED BELOW. THEN USE THAT TOPIC TO
Contemporary Approaches to Psychology
SHOW YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF EACH APPROACH. FOR EACH BOX, WRITE HOW THAT TYPE
Checking for Understanding
OF PSYCHOLOGIST Directions:
WOULD EXPLAIN
Choose THE
one (1) of the topics CAUSES
listed below. OF
Then use that topic THIS BEHAVIOR
to show your understanding of each approach. For
each box, write how that type of psychologist would explain the causes of this behavior.

Circle topic: Tripping another classmate- looking at yourself in the mirror- Checking your phone multiple times in class

Psychoanalytical Psychology Behavioral Psychology Humanistic Psychology

Cognitive Psychology Biological Psychology Socio-Cultural Psychology

19

• https://app.sli.do/event/btrm1eFGG6Fhasuf64BGEt
20 IMPORTANCE OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN
PSYCHOLOGY
• Understanding human behavior from different approaches in Psychology is
essential, Emotional intelligence allows you to understand and manage
your emotions in order to self-motivate and to create positive social interactions; it's the
first step in realizing your true potential. ... Emotional Intelligence is a useful skill to
prevent making decisions based on emotional biases.