Crash Course Psychology: Introduction to Psychology

Key Concepts

• Dreams and Consciousness: Exploration of how dreams and thoughts reflect the complex workings of human consciousness.
• Complexity of the Human Mind: Described as the most complicated piece of the universe known to humans.
  • Challenges in understanding due to its complexity.

Definition of Psychology

• Originates from the Latin "study of the soul."
• Current definition: Science of behavior and mental processes.

Historical Development

• Greek Influence: Aristotle's incorrect idea that consciousness resided in the heart.
• Ancient Psychological Practices:
  • Chinese rulers' psychological exams for public officials.
  • Persian doctor Rhazes' early descriptions and treatments of mental illness.

Big Questions in Psychology

• Reasons behind human behavior, including horrific acts.
• The debate on free will versus influence from environment and biology.
• Understanding mental illness and consciousness.

Evolution of Psychology

• Freud's Influence:
  • Development of psychoanalysis.
  • Unpacking childhood, personality, dreams, and sexuality.
  • Use of talk therapy for mental disorders.
• Structuralism and Functionalism:
  • Structuralism: Study of structures of consciousness through introspection (Wundt & Titchener).
  • Functionalism: Focused on the purpose of behavior and adaptive functions (William James).

Major Schools of Thought

• Behaviorism:
  • Focus on observable behavior (Pavlov, Watson, Skinner).
  • Conditioning experiments.
• Psychoanalysis:
  • Importance of unconscious motives and early experiences.
• Emerging Disciplines (Mid-20th Century):
  • Humanist psychology: Focus on personal growth.
  • Cognitive science and neuroscience.

Modern Psychology

• Integration of multiple perspectives: Recognizes both behavior and mental processes.
• Acknowledgement of psychology as an integrative and diverse science.
• Emphasis on creating methodologies for questioning and exploring the human mind.

Understanding the Human Mind

• Human brain as the most complex object in the cosmos.
• Exploration of psychology helps deepen understanding of ourselves and others.

Course Goals

• Exploration of psychology's application to life and understanding of self and society.
• Introduction to the diverse methodologies and schools of thought within psychology.