Introduction to Psychology: A Historical Perspective

Why Start with History?

• Understand the evolution of psychology.
• Learn about the influences shaping modern psychology.
• Gain insights into past and present psychological thought.

Ancient Psychology

• Key Figures: Plato and Aristotle.
  • Plato: Theory of the psyche with three parts: Logistic (Intellect), Epithumetikon (Desires), Thumoeides (Emotions).
  • Aristotle: Focused on observation and reason.
• Greek influences: The term 'psyche' for the soul, foundational concepts in early psychology.

Developments Through the Renaissance

• René Descartes: Concept of Cartesian dualism (mind-body dualism).
  • Mind as immaterial, body as material.
  • Interaction between mind and body theorized through the pineal gland.

Transition from Philosophy to Science

• Early psychology was considered a branch of philosophy.
• Wilhelm Wundt (1879): Founded the first experimental psychology lab.
  • Marked the official separation of psychology from philosophy.
  • Use of scientific method in studying the mind.

Schools of Thought in Psychology

Structuralism

• Founder: Edward Titchener, student of Wundt.
• Belief in basic psychological elements or structures.
• Method: Introspection.
  • Limitations: Difficulty in describing mental tasks.

Functionalism

• Focused on the continuous and changing nature of consciousness.
• Questions centered on purpose of mind and behavior.
• Direct observation of mind and behavior.

Psychoanalysis

• Founder: Sigmund Freud.
  • Emphasis on unconscious thoughts, feelings, and memories.
  • Psyche Parts: Id (Instincts), Ego (Reality), Superego (Morality).
  • Influence on early childhood and discussion of sexuality.

Behaviorism

• Focus on observable behavior to make psychology more scientific.
• Key Figure: Ivan Pavlov and classical conditioning.
• Incorrect belief that consciousness and mind can’t be studied scientifically.

Cognitive Psychology

• Emerged in the 1960s.
• Study of mental processes like perception, thinking, memory.
• Use of brain imaging tools (e.g., MRI).

Modern Psychology

• Shift from identifying with a school of thought to focusing on specific research fields.
• Examples of fields:
  • Cognitive Psychology: Perception, decision-making.
  • Developmental Psychology: Mind changes over a lifetime.
  • Social Psychology: Influence of social situations and culture.

Conclusion

• Psychology has evolved from Greek philosophy to a complex scientific discipline.
• The field continues to grow with diverse areas of research.
• Upcoming topics: Methods of testing psychological hypotheses and the mind.