Psikologio kiel Scienco

Psychology as a Science

• Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and cognitive processes.
• Its roots lie in philosophy and physiology.
• Psychology is defined by its subject matter, which has evolved over time.
• Psychology uses the scientific method to study behavior and cognitive processes.

Historical Context of Psychology

• Early interest in topics now considered psychology's province stemmed from theology.
• Psychology emerged as a science in the late 19th century.
• Defining psychology as the "science of mental life" was common earlier.
• During the 1910s, many psychologists focused on observable behavior, defining psychology as the scientific study of observable behavior.
• This definition dominated until the 1960s, when there was a renewal of interest in studying the mind.
• Subsequently, the field of psychology expanded to include the study of behavior and cognitive processes.
• Early influences on psychology: Plato, Aristotle, Saint Augustine, and Islamic intellectuals like Avicenna.
• The influence of the Renaissance and philosophers like Descartes and Bacon.
• The impact of the theory of evolution, emphasized by Darwin and his cousin, Francis Galton, became significant.
• 19th-century physiology made important contributions. Research on nerve impulses and the localization of brain functions.
• The work of scientists like Hermann von Helmholtz and Pierre Flourens impacted psychology's approach.
• The development of mental tests.

Key Figures in the Emergence of Psychology

• Wilhelm Wundt: Established the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig in 1879.
• Edward Titchener: Introduced structuralism to the United States. Used analytic introspection as a method.
• William James: A prominent functionalist. His work highlighted the interrelation between philosophy, physiology, and psychology.
• Hugo Münsterberg: Founder of applied psychology.
• Mary Whiton Calkins: A pioneering female psychologist.
• Max Wertheimer: Founder of Gestalt psychology.
• Sigmund Freud: Founder of psychoanalysis. Emphasized unconscious conflicts.
• John B. Watson: A prominent behaviorist. Rejected the study of mental processes.
• B.F. Skinner: A leading behaviorist. Emphasized the importance of reinforcement.
• Jean Piaget: A Swiss biologist-psychologist, made significant contributions to the cognitive perspective.

Contemporary Perspectives in Psychology

• Humanistic Perspective: Emphasizes free will, self-actualization, and subjective experience. Key figures: Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers.
• Cognitive Perspective: Focuses on how the mind organizes, processes, and interprets information. Key figures: Wolfgang Köhler, Jean Piaget and Nobelist Herbert Simon.
• Biopsychological Perspective: Stresses the relationship between physiological factors and behavior. Key figures: Wilder Penfield and Roger Sperry.
• Sociocultural Perspective: Highlights the influence of culture and society on behavior. Key figures: Harry Triandis.
• These perspectives have shaped and expanded the field of psychology over time.

Professional Fields of Specialization

• Clinical Psychology: Deals with the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders.
• Counseling Psychology: Addresses everyday problems and challenges.
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology: Improves workplace efficiency.
• School Psychology: Supports academic performance and social adjustment.
• Educational Psychology: Improves educational practices, including curriculum.
• Forensic Psychology: Focuses on the legal system.
• Environmental Psychology: Examines the impact of the environment on behavior, and design of effective environments.
• Health Psychology: Focuses on health and wellness.

Ĉi tiu kvizo esploras la fundamenton de psikologio kiel scienco. Vi malkovros ĝiajn historiajn devenojn, la evoluon de ĝiaj difinoj kaj la fokuso sur observa konduto. Preparu vin por testado de via scio pri la sciencaj metodoj uzataj en psikologio.