Introduction to Psychology History

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.