, Chapter 1: The Science of
Psychology
Important Points
Psychology as a Science
Approaches to
Behaviour
Contemporary Fields
The historian E.G. Boring once observed that psychology has a
long past, but a short history. The long past indicates that
psychology has roots extending back to the ancient Greek
philosophers. Many were interested in the causes of human
behaviour and wrote extensively on the topic. Breakthroughs in
anatomy and medicine increased our understanding of the
human condition and contributed to the study of psychology. But
the study of psychology as a distinct discipline only began in
1879 when Wundt (pronounced “vunt”) established the first
psychological laboratory in Leipzig, Germany. So as an
independent field of study, we’ve only been around for just over
As
100you go through chapter 1, there are 3 important topics to consider.
years!
1. Psychology is a
science.
As a science, the field psychology follows particular methods of
investigation. What we know about behaviour is based on
observation, theory, and research methodology. Note that
theory is much more useful than “common sense”, and that to
be a scientific theory, it must be testable. This criterion more
than any other distinguishes scientific theory from other types
of explanations regarding human behaviour. Whenever you are
presented with a theory (or claim) about behaviour, ask
yourself, “how would I test that?” If you can not come up with a
reasonable answer, then the theory is not likely to be based on
scientific principles.
,A
2. note
Psychology
about namestakes many and dates.
different
There approaches
are many researchers
to the
mentioned
study of behaviour.
in this (and every) chapter in the text. Do not be
concerned with memorizing the names and dates of all the
A brief history
researchers. For the of most
psychology is outlined
part, you in chapter
will not be expected 1. toThe
know
this important
information.material
I wouldhere
expect
lies you
in theto approaches
know the “big” takennames
to thein
study of behaviour.
psychology—Freud, For example,
Skinner, James was
Piaget, Pavlov, etc. aThese
functionalist—
are people
whohe have
stressed
theoriestheor uses
an entire
of behaviour
approach (or named
mental after
processes),
them. If I ask
you particularly as they
a question about related
any to evolution
particular example, and natural
I will always selection.
give youA
enoughfunctionalist
information will in
askthe
what
question
purposeto help
a behaviour
identify serves—how
the concept. For
does itI would
example, help annot organism
ask youto survive.
what DarleyJames believed
& Latane thatstudied.
(1968) it was
If I wanted
possibletotoask
studysomething
the mind,about
and this
sawstudy,
consciousness
I would phrase
as a it
continuous
something like, stream
“in the of activity
1968 study(unlike the structuralists).
by Darley By
& Latane on bystander
intervention…”.
contrast, theItbehaviourists
is much more important
(e.g., Watson,
to focus
Pavlov,
on theories
Skinner)and
rejected
concepts the than
rather concept of the
details andmind. They believed that the study
examples.
of behaviour must be limited to only those things that are
observable. If you could not “see” a concept or process, it was
useless to discuss it. Note that this does not discuss the study of
thinking or memory—it just limits the area of research to
observable aspects (e.g., number of words recalled).
As you read through this section, note the various approaches
to psychology. Think about the ways in which they are similar,
and then the ways in which they differ. For example, which
approaches are focused primarily on internal causes of
behaviour? Which are focused on external causes? Who
would most disagree with the position taken by Freud?
3. Contemporary Fields of
Study
In any psychology department you will find individuals who
look at behaviour in a wide variety of ways. Some of these
areas come directly from the major approaches listed above,
others are sub-specialties, and still others represent a
completely different view. The American Psychological
Association lists over 50 separate divisions or affiliations for
psychologists. Nonetheless, the “major” areas of study are
presented in this chapter.
As you read through these, think about the orientation taken by
someone in this area. What would a cognitive psychologist study?
Who is most likely to be interested in the abilities of a newborn?
Which group is most likely to run experiments?
, Chapter 2: Research
Methods
Important Points
! Collecting Data
!
Research Methods
!
Summarizing Data
!
Pitfalls & Problems
!
Ethics
Psychology
Important Points
Psychology as a Science
Approaches to
Behaviour
Contemporary Fields
The historian E.G. Boring once observed that psychology has a
long past, but a short history. The long past indicates that
psychology has roots extending back to the ancient Greek
philosophers. Many were interested in the causes of human
behaviour and wrote extensively on the topic. Breakthroughs in
anatomy and medicine increased our understanding of the
human condition and contributed to the study of psychology. But
the study of psychology as a distinct discipline only began in
1879 when Wundt (pronounced “vunt”) established the first
psychological laboratory in Leipzig, Germany. So as an
independent field of study, we’ve only been around for just over
As
100you go through chapter 1, there are 3 important topics to consider.
years!
1. Psychology is a
science.
As a science, the field psychology follows particular methods of
investigation. What we know about behaviour is based on
observation, theory, and research methodology. Note that
theory is much more useful than “common sense”, and that to
be a scientific theory, it must be testable. This criterion more
than any other distinguishes scientific theory from other types
of explanations regarding human behaviour. Whenever you are
presented with a theory (or claim) about behaviour, ask
yourself, “how would I test that?” If you can not come up with a
reasonable answer, then the theory is not likely to be based on
scientific principles.
,A
2. note
Psychology
about namestakes many and dates.
different
There approaches
are many researchers
to the
mentioned
study of behaviour.
in this (and every) chapter in the text. Do not be
concerned with memorizing the names and dates of all the
A brief history
researchers. For the of most
psychology is outlined
part, you in chapter
will not be expected 1. toThe
know
this important
information.material
I wouldhere
expect
lies you
in theto approaches
know the “big” takennames
to thein
study of behaviour.
psychology—Freud, For example,
Skinner, James was
Piaget, Pavlov, etc. aThese
functionalist—
are people
whohe have
stressed
theoriestheor uses
an entire
of behaviour
approach (or named
mental after
processes),
them. If I ask
you particularly as they
a question about related
any to evolution
particular example, and natural
I will always selection.
give youA
enoughfunctionalist
information will in
askthe
what
question
purposeto help
a behaviour
identify serves—how
the concept. For
does itI would
example, help annot organism
ask youto survive.
what DarleyJames believed
& Latane thatstudied.
(1968) it was
If I wanted
possibletotoask
studysomething
the mind,about
and this
sawstudy,
consciousness
I would phrase
as a it
continuous
something like, stream
“in the of activity
1968 study(unlike the structuralists).
by Darley By
& Latane on bystander
intervention…”.
contrast, theItbehaviourists
is much more important
(e.g., Watson,
to focus
Pavlov,
on theories
Skinner)and
rejected
concepts the than
rather concept of the
details andmind. They believed that the study
examples.
of behaviour must be limited to only those things that are
observable. If you could not “see” a concept or process, it was
useless to discuss it. Note that this does not discuss the study of
thinking or memory—it just limits the area of research to
observable aspects (e.g., number of words recalled).
As you read through this section, note the various approaches
to psychology. Think about the ways in which they are similar,
and then the ways in which they differ. For example, which
approaches are focused primarily on internal causes of
behaviour? Which are focused on external causes? Who
would most disagree with the position taken by Freud?
3. Contemporary Fields of
Study
In any psychology department you will find individuals who
look at behaviour in a wide variety of ways. Some of these
areas come directly from the major approaches listed above,
others are sub-specialties, and still others represent a
completely different view. The American Psychological
Association lists over 50 separate divisions or affiliations for
psychologists. Nonetheless, the “major” areas of study are
presented in this chapter.
As you read through these, think about the orientation taken by
someone in this area. What would a cognitive psychologist study?
Who is most likely to be interested in the abilities of a newborn?
Which group is most likely to run experiments?
, Chapter 2: Research
Methods
Important Points
! Collecting Data
!
Research Methods
!
Summarizing Data
!
Pitfalls & Problems
!
Ethics
