Introduction to Psychology

Study Notes

Psychology is the science of human and animal behavior, including its application to human problems.
The word "psychology" comes from the Greek words "psyche" (meaning "soul") and "logos" (meaning "discourse" or "science").
Psychology is often defined as the scientific study of the mind and behavior.
Early definitions of Psychology varied significantly.
- Plato considered it the science of the psyche or soul.
- Aristotle saw it as the science of living organisms.
- Medieval psychology was the science of the mind; positive science deals with objective facts, including evaluations, while normative science concerns evaluations based on standards or values.

Different thinkers have proposed diverse definitions for psychology.
Descartes, James, and Angell saw psychology as the science of consciousness.
Consciousness, however, covers only a portion of the mind, overlooking the unconscious and subconscious parts.
Leibnitz focused on the science of the conscious and subconscious mind.
Wundt saw psychology as the science of individual experience.

1900s-1920s: Psychoanalysis (Sigmund Freud): focused on the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences.
1910s-1920s: Behaviorism (John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner): emphasized observable behavior and conditioning.
1920s-1930s: Gestalt psychology (Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang Köhler, and Kurt Koffka): emphasized holistic perception and experience.
1950s-1960s: Cognitive psychology emerged : focused on mental processes such as memory, problem-solving, and language.
1950s-1960s Humanistic psychology (Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers): emphasized personal growth, self-actualization, and subjective experience.
1960s-1970s: Behavioral and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck): REBT, CBT.

Late 20th century: Advances in neuroscience improved understanding of brain functions and their relation to behavior and mental disorders.
1998: Martin Seligman introduced the concept of positive psychology, emphasizing well-being, strengths, and positive emotions.

The 2000s saw the rise of online therapy and digital interventions, expanding access to psychological support.
The 2010s saw advances in neuropsychology revealing insights into brain-behavior relationships.
The 2020s is seeing increased focus on cultural psychology, global mental health, and integration of various psychological approaches.

Ancient civilizations like Egypt, Greece, and China contemplated human behavior, laying groundwork for psychology. Ancient Greek philosophers (Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle) laid the foundation for the study.
Plato believed the brain controlled mental processes. Aristotle thought the heart was responsible.
Important dates:
- 1879: Wilhelm Wundt opened the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig, Germany.
- 1885: G. Stanley Hall established the first psychology lab in the United States.
- 1890: William James published The Principles of Psychology, a foundational text.
- 1886: Sigmund Freud began therapy in Vienna.
- 1892: The American Psychological Association (APA) was founded.

Questions in psychology are fundamental; they explore "why", "what", and "how", aspects of behavior and human nature.
"Why?" seeks explanations of causes and motivations
"What?" seeks careful, unbiased observations of behavior, emotions, and thoughts.
"How?" investigates processes and mechanisms underlying phenomena.