History of Psych

1. Structuralism (#1)Structuralism (#1)
• William Wundt: 1879William Wundt: 1879
– 11stst
recognized psychological experimentrecognized psychological experiment (and lab)(and lab)
– Sought to measure the fastest & simplest mentalSought to measure the fastest & simplest mental
processesprocesses
– Bradford Titchner: (Wundt’s student)Bradford Titchner: (Wundt’s student) Founder ofFounder of
StructuralismStructuralism
 Researched mental processes throughResearched mental processes through
introspectionintrospection ( subjects asked to share thoughts,( subjects asked to share thoughts,
mental processes, memories etc.)mental processes, memories etc.)
 Subject to bias, speculativeSubject to bias, speculative

2. Functionalism (#1 cont.)Functionalism (#1 cont.)
• William James: founded FunctionalismWilliam James: founded Functionalism
– Published 1Published 1stst
psychology text (1890)psychology text (1890)
• Focus on how mental processes andFocus on how mental processes and
behavior enable the individual to adapt,behavior enable the individual to adapt,
survive. (survive. (How thoughts and actionsHow thoughts and actions
influence how we “function”influence how we “function”
• Based on Darwin’s natural selectionBased on Darwin’s natural selection

3. History of Psychology From theHistory of Psychology From the
1920’s to today(#2)1920’s to today(#2)
• Until 1920’s, psychology defined asUntil 1920’s, psychology defined as
science ofscience of mental processesmental processes
– Ivan Pavlov, Sigmund Freud, Jean PiagetIvan Pavlov, Sigmund Freud, Jean Piaget
• 1920’s to 1960’s:1920’s to 1960’s: BehaviorismBehaviorism
• John Watson, B.F. SkinnerJohn Watson, B.F. Skinner
• 1960’s: Resurgence of Cognitive focus1960’s: Resurgence of Cognitive focus
• Today:Today: focus on both behavior andfocus on both behavior and
cognitioncognition

4. Phrenology (#8)Phrenology (#8)
• PhrenologyPhrenology
– Franz Gall: Late 1800’sFranz Gall: Late 1800’s
– Shape of skull (and bumps on skull)Shape of skull (and bumps on skull)
reveal mental abilities, personalityreveal mental abilities, personality
traits…traits…
– Theorized that different brain regionsTheorized that different brain regions
have different functions (he was right onhave different functions (he was right on
this at least…)this at least…)

5. Perspectives in PsychologyPerspectives in Psychology
• Behavioral Psychology
• Psychoanalytic
• Humanistic
• Biological
• Evolutionary
• Cognitive
• Socio-cultural
• An eclectic approach….

6. Perspectives in PsychologyPerspectives in Psychology
• Behavioral Psychology
• Psychoanalytic
• Humanistic
• Biological
• Evolutionary
• Cognitive
• Socio-cultural
• An eclectic approach….