Mister
Chapter 1
Introduction to the Science of Psychology
HINT: It’s about more than Freud’s couch!!!!
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What is psychology?
Defining the science of psychology
Learning Outcome: Define psychology and explain why it is a science.
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Today’s Definition
Psychology is…
The science that seeks:
To understand behavior and mental processes and
To apply that understanding in the service of human welfare.
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A Brief History of Psychology
Milestones in the Development of the Science
Learning Outcome: Identify major contributors to the development of psychology as a science.
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Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920)
Used laboratory science methods to study consciousness.
Began psychology’s transformation from a philosophy to a science
Used introspection to study conscious experience
Established first psychology research lab at the University of Leipzig in 1879
Called the Father of Psychology
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Figure 1.4: A Stimulus for Introspection
Be an “Introspector”
Ignoring what this object is, try to describe only your conscious experience of it.
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Structuralism
Early Advocate: Edward Titchener, trained by Wundt
Goals: To study conscious experience and its structure.
Methods: Experiments; introspection.
Application: “Pure scientific research”
Spurred development of psychological laboratories.
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Psychoanalysis
Early Advocate: Sigmund Freud
Goals:
Explain personality and behavior
Develop techniques for treating mental illness
Methods: Study of individual cases.
Applications:...
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