Psychological perspectives

Structuralism – understanding the conscious experience through introspection. - Wilhelm Wundt

Functionalism – focused on how mental activities helped an organism adapt to its environment. - William James

Psychoanalytic Theory – focuses on the role of the unconscious in affecting conscious behavior. - Sigmund Freud

Gestalt Psychology – Focuses on humans as a whole rather than individual parts. - Wertheimer, Koffka, Kohler

Behaviorism – focuses on observing and controlling behavior. - Pavlov, Watson, Skinner

Humanism - emphasizes the potential for good that is innate to all humans. - Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers

Wilhelm Wundt is credited as one of the founders of psychology. He created the first laboratory for psychological research. Wundt emphasized structuralism. He focused on understanding the structure and characteristics of the mind through introspection. Introspection - Process by which someone examines their own conscious experience in an attempt to break it into its component parts

WILHELM WUNDT (STRUCTURALISM) William James, shown here in a selfportrait, was the first American psychologist. James drew from the functionality of cognitive processes, establishing functionalism. Functionalism - emphasized how mental activities contributed to basic environmental survival.

WILLIAM JAMES (FUNCTIONALISM) (a)

Sigmund Freud was a highly influential figure in the history of psychology. (b) One of his many books, A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis, shared his ideas about psychoanalytical therapy; it was published in 1922.

SIGMUND FREUD (PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY) Founded Psychoanalytic theory, a perspective which dominated clinical psychology for many decades. Studied “hysteria” and neurosis. Theorized that many of his patients’ problems arose from the unconscious mind. Believed that one way the unconscious mind could be accessed was through dream analysis. Psychoanalytic theory focuses on the role of a person’s unconscious and early childhood experiences. Freud’s Couch (credit: BBC) GESTALT PSYCHOLOGY Kohler, Koffka and Wertheimer were German psychologists who immigrated to the U.S. to escape Nazi Germany. Gestalt – “Whole” Based on the idea that although a sensory experience can be broken down into individual parts, how those parts relate to each other as a whole is often what the individual responds to in perception. Ideas of Gestalt continue to influence research on sensation and perception. Kohler, Koffka, Wertheimer (credit: Elearning Industry)

IVAN PAVLOV (CLASSICAL CONDITIONING) Discovered the concept of classical conditioning. Studied conditioned reflexes in which an animal produced a reflex (unconscious) response to a stimulus (salivating in the presence of food) and, over time, was conditioned to produce the response to a different stimulus (salivating to the sound of a bell) that the experimenter associated with the original stimulus (Food and bell became associated). (Credit: Emaze) John B. Watson is known as the father of behaviorism within psychology. Believed that objective analysis of the mind was impossible. Instead he focused on observable behavior and ways to bring that behavior under control. Today, behaviorism is used in behavioral and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

JOHN B. WATSON (BEHAVIORISM) B. F. SKINNER Concentrated on how behavior was affected by its consequences. Studied the principles of modifying behavior through reinforcement and punishment which he saw as major factors in driving behavior (operant conditioning). Proposed a hierarchy of human needs in motivating behavior. Maslow asserted that so long as basic needs necessary for survival were met (e.g., food, water, shelter), higher-level needs (e.g., social needs) would begin to motivate behavior. ABRAHAM MASLOW (HUMANISM) Carl Rogers developed a client-centered therapy method that has been influential in clinical settings. Client-centered therapy involves the patient taking a lead role in the therapy session. Rogers believed therapists need: - unconditional positive regard - genuineness - empathy

CARL ROGERS (HUMANISM) THE COGNITIVE REVOLUTION By the 1950’s, new disciplinary perspectives in linguistics, neuroscience, and computer science were emerging. The mind became the new focus of scientific inquiry. Noam Chomsky Noam Chomsky was very influential in beginning the cognitive revolution. He believed psychology needed to incorporate mental functioning into its focus in order to fully understand human behavior.

MARGARET FLOY WASHBURN First woman to earn a doctorate in Psychology Researched on animal behavior, and published an authoritative text on the subject.

CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGY Branches of psychology Biopsychology and Evolutionary Psychology Sensation and Perception Cognitive Psychology Developmental Psychology Personality Psychology Social Psychology Health Psychology Industrial-Organizational Psychology Sports and Exercise Psychology Clinical Psychology Forensic Psychology BIOPSYCHOLOGY Research can include: - Sensory and motor systems - Sleep - Drug use and abuse - Ingestive behavior - Reproductive behavior - Neurodevelopment - Plasticity of the nervous system - Biological correlates of psychological disorders Biological psychologists study how the structure and function of the nervous system generate behavior. When you look at this image, you may see a duck or a rabbit. The sensory information remains the same, but your perception can vary dramatically.

SENSATION AND PERCEPTION This area of study focuses on both physiological aspects of sensory systems and the psychological experience of sensory information. Sensation – Sensory information (sights, sounds, touch, smell). Perception – Experience of the world which is influenced by where we focus our attention, our previous experiences, and our cultural backgrounds. DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY Developmental psychology studies the physical and mental attributes of aging and maturation. This can include various skills that are acquired throughout growth. - Moral Reasoning - Cognitive Skills - Social Skills Jean Piaget is famous for his theories regarding changes in cognitive ability that occur as we move from infancy to adulthood.

PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY Focuses on behaviors and thought patterns that are unique to each individual. Studies in this field include conscious and unconscious thinking and identifying personality traits.

question is here

Given the many psychological perspectives that exist (i.e. cognitive, psychoanalytic, etc) you are likely to find some more appealing and plausible than others. For any two theories in Chapter 1, list the concepts and principles you find important and those you believe to be inadequate or incorrect and explain in detail why. Use two separate paragraphs to discuss each theory. Respond to at least one of your classmate's post as outlined in the rubric, explaining why you concur or disagree with their selection and explanation. Remember to be respectful and offer constructive feedback.

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