CHAPTER ONEThe Field of Psychology

DEFINING PSYCHOLOGY Psychologists work in just about every

setting you can imagine. About 1/3 help people with personal

problems. Psychology is the scientific study of

human and animal behavior. These behaviors include the blink of an

eye, sweating, thinking, attitudes, thoughts, physical and emotional changes……

A theory is a general framework or idea about the nature of something.

TWO BASIC TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGISTS Research Psychologists – study the

origin, cause and results of certain behavior

(do research) Applied Psychologists – make direct

use of the findings of research psychologists; deal directly with clients

(apply the research)

HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGYWilhelm WundtStarted the first human psychology lab in 1879Called the “father of psychology”Tried to break down the human mind by having people describe sensations that got from objects they touched called introspection (process of looking into yourself and describing what is there)

William JamesPhilosopher, Harvard ProfessorWrote an important psychology textOne of the founders of American psychologyInterested in how humans function and adapt to their environment

Charles Darwin (mid 1800’s)

Theory suggested that animal studies might help

us understand humans

COMPREHENSION CHECK 1 Whose work inspired scientists to study

animals in an attempt to understand human beings better?

Who started the first laboratory for studying humans and is called the “father of psychology”?

Who published a very important and widely used textbook on psychology and was interested in how humans adapt to their environment?

Who wrote a book on child rearing to teach parents how to apply scientific learning principles in bringing up their children?

COMPREHENSION CHECK 1 ANSWERS Charles Darwin Wilhelm Wundt Sigmund Freud William James John B. Watson

PRESENT –DAY PSYCHOLOGY

Neurobiological Approach –Views behavior as the result of nervous system functions and biology

Behavioral Approach –Views behavior as the product of learning and associationsEarly behaviorist – John B. WatsonRecent Behaviorist (1904-1990) – B.F. Skinner

Humanistic Approach –Believes people are basically good and capable of helping themselvesWe are in control of our own destinyMost famous humanist (1902-1987) – Carl RogersFormer minister who said that every human has the potential to ecome great in his or her way. We just need a little guidance.

PRESENT-DAY PSYCHOLOGY

Psychoanalytic Approach – Best known of all theoriesSigmund FreudViews the individual as the product of unconscious impulses, especially sex and aggression

Cognitive Approach – Most popular theoryEmphasizes how humans use mental processes to handle problems or develop certain personality characteristicsFocus is on thinking the brain can talk itself into (and out of) almost any belief or behavior

Sociocultural Approach - Views behavior as strongly influenced by the rules and expectations of specific social groups or culture

PRESENT-DAY PSYCHOLOGY Six approaches are used today. Most psychologists lean toward one

approach but borrow here and there from other theories.

This individual, combined approach is called electicism (eclectic approach).

COMPREHENSION CHECK 2 Which approach in psychology

emphasizes people’s potential? Which analyzes internal sentences,

thoughts? Which focuses on learning? Which analyzes our chemical make-up? Which studies one’s ethnic background? Which emphasizes sexual desires?

COMPREHENSION CHECK 2 ANSWERS Humanism Cognitive Behaviorism Neurobiological Sociocultural Psychoanalysis