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Overview of Psychology and Its Perspectives

May 15, 2025

Lecture Notes on Psychology 101: Module 1

Introduction to Psychology

  • Definition of Psychology: The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
  • Goals of Psychology:
    • Describe behavior
    • Understand behavior
    • Predict behavior
    • Control or change behavior

Historical Perspectives in Psychology

  • Structuralism: Early school of thought promoted by Wundt and Titchener; used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind.
  • Functionalism: Influenced by Darwin, focused on how mental and behavioral processes function.
  • Psychoanalysis: Founded by Freud, emphasizes the influence of the unconscious mind on behavior.
  • Behaviorism: Focuses on observing and controlling behavior through conditioning.
  • Humanism: Emphasizes the potential for good that is innate to all humans.
  • Cognitive Psychology: Studies mental processes including how people think, perceive, remember, and learn.

Modern Perspectives in Psychology

  • Biological: Focuses on the genetic and biological processes that underlie behavior.
  • Cognitive: Examines internal mental processes such as problem solving, memory, and language.
  • Behavioral: Studies the effects of the environment on observable behavior.
  • Social-cultural: Examines how social and cultural environments influence behavior.
  • Evolutionary: Considers how the natural selection of traits promotes the perpetuation of one's genes.

Research Methods in Psychology

  • Descriptive Research: Observing and describing behavior, often through case studies, surveys, or naturalistic observation.
  • Correlational Research: Measuring the relationship between two variables; does not imply causation.
  • Experimental Research: Involves manipulating one variable to determine if changes in one variable cause changes in another variable.

Important Psychologists

  • Wilhelm Wundt: Considered the father of psychology; established the first psychology laboratory.
  • William James: Prominent functionalist; wrote 'The Principles of Psychology'.
  • Sigmund Freud: Founder of psychoanalysis, influential in the field of psychology.
  • B.F. Skinner: Leading behaviorist, studied operant conditioning.
  • Carl Rogers: Humanistic psychologist, developed client-centered therapy.

Conclusion

  • Psychology is a diverse field with various perspectives and approaches.
  • Understanding behavior and mental processes can lead to improving human wellbeing.
  • Ongoing research and technological advances continue to shape the understanding of psychology.