Introduction to Psychology

Overview

• First of many topic review videos for AP Psychology
• Focus on essential concepts and influential psychologists
• For success in AP Class

Historical Roots of Psychology

• Roots back to ancient Greeks: Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, René Descartes, John Locke
• Philosophical debates on the mind, knowledge, and human nature
• Officially became a separate science in the late 19th century

Key Figures in Early Psychology

• Wilhelm Wundt: Father of psychology; first lab dedicated to psychology
• Edward Titchener: Created structuralism, first theoretical approach
• Stanley Hall: First American Ph.D. in Psychology, first APA president, first psychology lab in the USA
• Dorothea Dix: Advocated for humane treatment of the mentally ill

Major Theoretical Approaches

Structuralism

• Analyzes mind through its structures of consciousness using introspection
• Problems with introspection: subjective and difficult to observe accurately

Gestalt Psychology

• Perception as a whole experience, not separate parts
• Focuses on organizational processes

Functionalism

• Created by William James who wrote the first psychology textbook
• Studies how mental and behavioral processes function and evolve
• Connects to evolutionary approach (Charles Darwin)

Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic Approach

• Developed by Sigmund Freud
• Focuses on unconscious motives and repressed memories
• Techniques: dream analysis, free association

Behaviorism

• Focus on observable behaviors
• Key Figures: Ivan Pavlov (classical conditioning), John B. Watson (founder), B.F. Skinner (operant conditioning)

Socio-Cultural Approach

• Examines how culture influences individual experiences and behaviors

Humanistic Psychology

• Emphasizes human potential for growth
• Key Figures: Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow

Cognitive Psychology

• Studies how we process, store, and retrieve information
• Challenges: Objective study of thoughts is difficult
• Key Figure: Jean Piaget (child cognitive development)

Biological and Biosocial Approach

• Biological: Links between biological processes and behavior
• Biosocial: Combines socio-cultural and biological perspectives

Psychology’s Modern Definition

• Science of behavior and mental processes

Subfields and Domains in Psychology

Basic Research Domains

• Biological Psychologists: Connect body and mind
• Developmental Psychologists: Physical, cognitive, social changes over lifespan
• Cognitive Psychologists: How we think, solve problems
• Educational Psychologists: Influences on teaching and learning
• Personality Psychologists: Individual feelings, actions
• Social Psychologists: Interactions in society
• Positive Psychologists: Focus on well-being
• Psychometric Psychologists: Measure attitudes, personality traits

Applied Research Domains

• Industrial-Organizational Psychologists: Optimize workplace behavior
• Counseling Psychologists: Help overcome life challenges
• Clinical Psychologists: Treat emotional and behavioral disorders
• Psychiatrists: Medical doctors, prescribe drugs, psychotherapy

Final Notes

• Psychology uses various methods to answer questions about behavior and mental processes
• Encouraged viewers to join the Discord server for study help
• Pop quiz at the end of the video to reinforce learning