Founding Fathers of Psychology Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who is known as the founder of Structuralism?

Wilhelm Wundt

What theory did William James develop?

Functionalism

What did Sigmund Freud believe was revealed in dreams, jokes, and slips of the tongue?

The unconscious mind

What is the focus of John Watson's approach to psychology?

<p>Observable behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Carl Rogers' theory of Humanism emphasize?

<p>Self-control and individual behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Wilhelm Wundt

Pioneered the field of psychology with a focus on consciousness.
Developed the approach of structuralism, analyzing consciousness by breaking it into components like thoughts, feelings, sights, and sounds.
Established the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany, marking psychology as an experimental science.

William James

Emphasized understanding consciousness as a whole rather than in isolated parts.
Advocated for functionalism, studying the purpose and functions of consciousness in adapting to the environment.
Authored "The Principles of Psychology," influencing modern psychology with concepts like the stream of consciousness.

Sigmund Freud

Introduced the theory of psychoanalysis, focusing on the unconscious mind's influence on behavior.
Proposed that dreams, jokes, and slips of the tongue reveal underlying unconscious desires and conflicts.
His work laid the foundation for understanding human personality and inner motivation.

John Watson

Founded behaviorism, prioritizing the study of observable behaviors over internal mental processes.
Believed behavior is shaped by conditioning, influenced by the desire to avoid punishment or seek reinforcement.
Conducted the infamous "Little Albert" experiment, demonstrating classical conditioning in human subjects.

Carl Rogers

Key figure in the development of humanistic psychology, emphasizing individual choice and personal agency.
Advocated that people have the inherent ability to guide their own behavior and make meaningful changes.
Important concepts include unconditional positive regard and the idea of self-actualization in personal development.

Description

Explore the foundational figures in psychology with these flashcards. Learn about key concepts such as Structuralism and the different perspectives on consciousness introduced by Wilhelm Wundt and William James.