Introduction to Psychology

Early Psychology

• Functionalists expanded the scope of psychology research to include direct observation of living creatures in natural settings.
• They focused on conscious experiences, but instead of identifying the "fundamental" structures of consciousness, they saw consciousness as an ongoing "stream" of mental activity.

William James and His Students

• William James was a key figure in the development of psychology.
• Two of his notable students were G. Stanley Hall and Mary Whiton Calkins.
• G. Stanley Hall received the first Ph.D in psychology in America in 1878 and founded the first psychology research laboratory in the United States.
• Mary Whiton Calkins completed all the requirements for a Ph.D in psychology in 1890 and became the first woman president of the American Psychological Association.

Twentieth Century Leaders in Psychology

• In the early 1900s, new approaches emerged that challenged the principles of structuralism and functionalism.
• Rogers, Maslow, and Humanistic Psychology emerged as a new school of thought, emphasizing conscious experiences, self-determination, and free will.

Humanistic Psychology

• Humanistic Psychology was founded by Carl Rogers and emphasized the conscious experiences of individuals, including their unique potential for psychological growth and self-direction.
• Abraham Maslow developed a theory of motivation that emphasized psychological growth.
• Humanistic Psychology included both influential theories of personality and a form of psychotherapy.

Four Major Perspectives in Psychology

• Biological Perspective: focuses on the influence of genetics or physical bases on behavior.
• Behavioral Perspective: focuses on environmental influences on behavior.
• Cognitive Perspective: focuses on mental processes.
• Socio-Cultural Perspective: focuses on the influence of culture on behavior.

Methods of Research

• Descriptive Research: observes and describes behavior, does not involve deliberate manipulation of variables.
• Naturalistic Observation: a descriptive method that involves systematically observing and recording behaviors in their natural settings.
• Case Studies: an in-depth investigation of an individual, often used to investigate rare or unusual conditions.
• Survey: a direct way to find out about behavior or attitudes by asking people through questionnaires or interviews.

Welcome to your first module in psychology! This quiz introduces the fundamental concepts of psychology, covering topics from Karl Michael's works.