Overview
This lecture introduces psychology as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, tracing its historical roots, major schools of thought, and key figures.
The Origins and Definition of Psychology
- Psychology means "study of the soul" and now refers to the science of behavior and mental processes.
- Early curiosity about the mind existed in cultures like ancient Greece, China, and Persia.
- Formal scientific psychology began in the mid-1800s.
- Psychology seeks to answer questions about behavior, consciousness, free will, and mental illness.
Major Early Schools of Psychology
- Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology lab in 1879, focusing on studying the structures of consciousness.
- Structuralism, led by Wundt and Titchener, used introspection to identify elements of the mind but was criticized for being too subjective.
- William James created functionalism, emphasizing the purposes of mental processes and behavior, inspired by Darwin’s evolutionary theory.
Sigmund Freud and Psychoanalysis
- Freud developed psychoanalysis, focusing on how unconscious motives shape personality and behavior.
- Techniques like free association and dream analysis were used to access unconscious thoughts.
- Freud's work was revolutionary, suggesting mental disorders could be treated through talk therapy and self-discovery.
- Psychoanalysis emphasized early childhood experiences and remains influential.
Emergence of Behaviorism
- Behaviorism arose in the early 20th century, led by Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, and B.F. Skinner.
- This school focused on observable behavior instead of internal mental states.
- Behaviorism dominated psychology until the 1960s.
Other Key Schools and Modern Psychology
- Psychodynamic theories developed from Freud’s ideas, focusing on unconscious influences and early experiences.
- Humanistic psychology centers on personal growth.
- Cognitive science and neuroscience contribute to understanding mind and behavior.
- Today, psychology integrates multiple perspectives, studying behavior and internal mental processes.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Psychology — the science of behavior and mental processes.
- Structuralism — early school using introspection to study mind’s structure.
- Functionalism — school focusing on adaptive purposes of behavior and mind.
- Psychoanalysis — Freud’s approach exploring unconscious motives and talk therapy.
- Behaviorism — school studying only observable behaviors.
- Introspection — self-observation of one’s own thoughts and feelings.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Prepare to explore various schools and questions in psychology over the next several months.
- No specific homework or readings assigned in this lecture.