Psychology: Main Theorists and Their Theories

Study Notes

Key Theorists in Psychology

Wilhelm Wundt: Considered the "Father of Psychology"; introduced introspection, emphasizing self-examination of thoughts and feelings.
Edward Titchner: Developed structuralism, focusing on breaking down mental processes into their basic components, known as the building blocks of consciousness.
William James: Authored "Principles of Psychology," establishing psychology as an independent field; introduced functionalism, expanding the study of psychology to include animal behavior, religious experience, and abnormal behavior.
John B. Watson: Founded behaviorism, prioritizing the study of observable behavior over introspection; explored the relationship between stimuli and responses and built on Pavlov's conditioning techniques.
B.F. Skinner: Advocated for radical behaviorism, positing that behavior is shaped by rewards and punishments; focused solely on animal studies and rejected the necessity of covert mental processes for explaining behavior.
Ellis and Bandura: Pioneered cognitive behaviorism, helping to understand how thoughts impact behaviors; contributed to depression treatment and therapeutic approaches.
Max Wertheimer and Fritz Perls: Key figures in Gestalt psychology, which explores perception, learning, and thought as wholes that are greater than the sum of their parts.
Sigmund Freud: Developed psychoanalytic psychology, emphasizing the influence of the unconscious mind on behavior, particularly instincts related to sex and aggression; introduced concepts like repression and the significance of childhood experiences in shaping adult personality.
Neo-Freudians: A group including Alfred Adler, Anna Freud, Karen Horney, Carl Jung, Erik Erikson, and Otto Rank; shifted from Freud's focus on aggression and sex to emphasize internal conflicts and unconscious motivations within psychodynamic theory.

Humanistic Psychology

Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow: Key proponents of humanism, emphasizing human experience, potential, and individual uniqueness; introduced concepts like self-image, the frame of reference, and self-actualization, viewing humans as inherently good capable of self-directed growth.

Contributions of Pioneers

C. Francis Cecil Sumner: Recognized as the first African American male to earn a PhD in psychology, marking significant progress in diversity within the field.
Inez Beverly Prosser: Notable as the first African American female to obtain a degree in psychology, contributing to representation in academia.
Margaret Washburn: The first female to earn a PhD in psychology, author of "The Animal Mind," signifying women's contributions to early psychological research.

Description

Explore the foundational ideas of major psychologists through flashcards. This quiz covers key figures such as Wilhelm Wundt, Edward Titchner, and William James, highlighting their contributions and theories. Perfect for students of psychology looking to reinforce their knowledge.