Introduction to Psychology

Study Notes

Definition of Psychology

Psychology is a science focused on understanding how individuals think, feel, and behave.
It encompasses the study of both behavior and mental processes.

Brief History of Psychology

John Locke: Introduced the concept of "Tabula Rasa" or blank slate in the 1600s, suggesting individuals are shaped by experience.
Wilhelm Wundt (1832 - 1920):
- Established the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig in 1879.
- Defined psychology as the "Science of Mental Life," marking its formal birth as an empirical science.
Edward Titchener:
- A student of Wundt, advanced Structuralism, focusing on self-reports and introspection to map the mind's structure.
William James (1842 - 1910):
- Founded Functionalism, which examines the purpose of thoughts and behaviors in aiding survival.
- Authored "Principles of Psychology" and welcomed Mary Calkins into his seminar, who became the first female APA president.
Margaret Washburn (1871 - 1939):
- First woman awarded a Ph.D. in psychology; authored "The Animal Mind" (1908), synthesizing animal behavior studies.
Charles Darwin (1809 - 1882):
- Proposed that natural selection not only shapes physical traits but also influences behavior, highlighting adaptive advantages.
Sigmund Freud:
- Developed Psychoanalytic Theory, emphasizing the unconscious mind and childhood experiences shaping personality.
- Notable for his views on sexual and aggressive drives and techniques like dream analysis.
Carl Rogers (1902 - 1987):
- Humanistic Psychologist, critiqued behaviorism and Freudian approaches for being overly restrictive.
- Promoted Person-Centered Therapy, emphasizing empathy and client-led discussions.
Abraham Maslow:
- Developed the Hierarchy of Needs, outlining stages from survival needs to self-actualization.
John Watson and B.F. Skinner:
- Pioneers of Behaviorism (1913), redefined psychology as the study of observable behavior, dismissing introspection.
- Watson focused on classical conditioning, while Skinner focused on operant conditioning.
Aaron Beck:
- Founder of Cognitive Psychology in the 1960s, exploring the processes of perception, processing, and memory.

Chapter 1: The Scientific Method

The scientific method involves systematically testing theories through observations, hypotheses, and research.
- Steps include making observations, formulating hypotheses, predicting outcomes, and testing predictions.
- Iteration allows refining hypotheses based on new results.

Research Methods

Descriptive Research:
- Focuses on systematically describing behaviors and attitudes through methods like case studies and surveys.
Correlational Research:
- Investigates relationships between two behaviors or traits, indicating correlations without inferring causation.
- Positive correlation indicates a direct relationship, while negative correlation shows an inverse relationship.
Experimental Research:
- Involves manipulating an independent variable to assess its effect on a dependent variable, allowing for empirical conclusions about causation.

Description

Explore the fundamental definitions and historical milestones of psychology in this quiz. Discover key figures such as John Locke and Wilhelm Wundt, who laid the groundwork for psychology as a scientific discipline. Test your knowledge on the evolution of psychological theories and concepts.