People To Know
Wilhelm Wundt - Emphasized the use of experimental methods to study mental processes
- Connection between physiology and psychology
- Established first psychology research lab in Germany
- Began focus on psychology as an experimental science
Edward B Titchener - Structuralism
- Our complex conscious experiences could be broken down into “structures” or separate
parts.
- Structuralism - first major school of thought in psychology
- Relied on introspection, which was unreliable and couldn’t be used on children or animals,
also could not cover complex topics such as mental health issues.
William James - Functionalism
- Fascinated at the idea that different species had evolved over time
- Studying the purpose or function of behavior and mental experiences. Behavior functions to
allow people to adapt to their environments
- Application of psychology to enhance human behavior
Robert V. Guthrie
- Black US psychologist, highlighted contributions made by early black psychologists in the
United states
Pauline Elizabeth Scarborough
- Documented women in the field of Psychology
G. Stanley Hall - First phD in Psychology in the US
- Founded the American Psychological Association (APA) & was its first president
Mary Whiton Calkins
- Was denied her earned phD due to being a woman
- Discovered a psychology laboratory
- Was first woman president of the APA
Margaret Floy Washburn
- First official woman to obtain a phD in Psychology
- Second woman president of the APA
Francis C. Sumner
- First black US psychologist to receive phD in the US
Kenneth Bancroft Clark & Mamie Phipps Clark
- Researched the negative effects of racial discrimination, which aided in ending segregation
in schools
- First black president of APA (Kenneth)
Sigmund Freud - Psychoanalysis
- Physician & Neurologist
- Psychoanalysis - The study of uncovering causes of behavior that are unconscious
, - Emphasizes the role of unconscious factors in determining behavior and personality
- Childhood experiences are critical in the formation of adult personality and behavior.
Ivan Pavlov - Behavorism
- Behaviorism emphasizes observable behaviors and their role in the process of learning
- Disagreed with Functionalism and Structuralism's ideas of consciousness.
John B. Watson
- Supported behaviorism
- Psychology should focus on observable behaviors
B.F. Skinner
- Supported behaviorism
- Psychology should restrict itself to studying only observable behavior
Carl Rogers - Humanistic Psychology
- Humanistic Psychology emphasizes each person’s unique potential for psychological growth
and self-direction
- Emphasized self-determination, free will and the importance of choice in human behavior
Abraham Maslow
- Supported humanistic psychology
Durganand Sinha - Indigenous Psychology
- Indigenous Psychology - Understanding of psychology that is developed from local culture
and context.
Cognitive Psychology - Focuses on the important role of mental processes in how people process and
remember information, develop language, solve problems, and think
Perspectives In Psychology
1. Biological Perspective - Study of the physical bases of human and animal behavior, such as
the nervous system. Endocrine system, immune system, genetics and neuroscience.
2. Psychodynamic Perspective - Emphasizes the importance of unconscious influences,
childhood experiences, interpersonal relationships in explaining underlying dynamics of
behavior or treatment of psychological issues.
3. Behavioral Perspective - Study how behavior is acquired or modified by environmental
conditions
4. Humanistic Perspective - Motivation of people to grow psychologically, influence of
interpersonal relationships on a person’s self-concept, and importance of choice and
self-direction
5. Positive Psychology Perspective - Study of positive emotions and psychological states and
positive individual traits. Personal happiness, optimism, creativity, resilience, character
strengths and wisdom. Developed therapeutic techniques to increase personal well-being.
6. Cognitive Perspective - How humans and animals process information