The Story of Psychology

Jul 16, 2024

Lecture Notes: The Story of Psychology

Introduction

  • Philosophy vs. Literature: Philosophy deals with reason and rationality, while literature/stories evoke emotions and hope.
  • What is Psychology?: Described as the offspring of philosophy and literature.
    • Philosophy: Rational side.
    • Literature: Emotional side.
  • Course Coverage: 3,000 years of psychological history, including key ideas, schools, approaches, psychologists, and psychoanalysts.

Parts of the Lecture

  1. Origins of Psychology
  2. Understanding the Human Mind
  3. Practical Psychology
  4. Factors Outside the Human Mind

Part 1: Origins of Psychology

Historical Roots

  • Ancient Greece & India: Philosophical origins.
  • Philosophy and Literature: Major roles in the birth of psychology.
  • Greek Influence: Hippocrates’ humorism, ancient physicians, and philosophers like Socrates and Aristotle.

Schools of Thought

  • Humorism (Hippocrates, Galen)
  • Philosophical Influence: Socrates, Aristotle, etc.
  • Eastern Influence: Hindu Upanishads, Schopenhauer's influences.
  • Islamic Contributions: Farabi, Avicenna, and Averroes.

Scientific Revolution & Enlightenment

  • European Thought: From Renaissance to Scientific Revolution.
  • Philosophical Contributions: Descartes’ dualism, Enlightenment rationality.
  • Darwin’s Impact: Evolutionary theory's influence on psychology.

Part 2: Understanding the Human Mind

Schools of Psychology

  • Consciousness: Early pioneers like William James and Wilhelm Wundt.
  • Behaviorism: Pavlov’s conditioning, Skinner’s reinforcement.
  • Psychoanalysis: Freud and Jung’s exploration of the unconscious.

Modern Psychology

  • Cognitive Psychology: Focuses on perception, intelligence, memory, problem-solving.
  • Social Psychology: Obedience, group dynamics, social influence.
  • Child Psychology: Developmental stages, learning processes.
  • Sex Psychology: Gender differences, evolution of mating strategies.

Part 3: Practical Psychology

Approaches to Treatment

  • Psychotherapy: Freud’s talking cure.
  • Cognitive Therapy: Focus on modifying thought patterns.
  • Existential & Humanistic Approaches: Emphasis on meaning, fulfillment.

Applications

  • Behavioral Therapy: Conditioning and reinforcement techniques.
  • Mindfulness: Meditation and Yoga’s impact.
  • Positive Psychology: Emphasis on strengths and virtues.

Part 4: External Influences on Psychology

Social Context

  • Society’s Role: Social norms, conformity, obedience studies (Milgram and Zimbardo).
  • Cultural Influences: How different cultures impact psychological development.

Age and Development

  • Lifespan Development: Piaget’s stages of cognitive development, attachment theories.
  • Aging: Cognitive decline, memory retention.

Gender Differences

  • Dimorphism: Evolutionary biology of gender differences.
  • Sexual Selection: Strategies in mating, role of hormones.

Conclusion

Psychological Paradox

  • Subjectivity: The observer changes the observed.
  • Change: Continuous evolution of human psychology.
  • Criticisms and Future Directions: Anti-psychiatry movements, ethical considerations, future research angles.

Discussion Question: What branch of psychology resonated with you the most? Can we fully understand human consciousness in the near future?