PSYCHOLOGY
psychology
Study Section 1.1: The early and modern history of psychology
Outcome 1 and 2: Give a formal definition of psychology and Define the core components of psychology
Study guide: SS 1.1 The early and modern history of psychology (p. 2-3)
Textbook: Weiten, Chapter 1 (p. 2-3)
History of Psychology
- Psychology has a long past and is believed to be as old as the human race
- Emerged as a scientific discipline 140 years ago
- Psychology has its roots in philosophy and physiology
- Wilhelm Wundt campaigned to make psychology an independent field of study
- Wilhelm Wundt is often viewed as the father/founder of modern psychology
- He felt that psychology should be a science modelled after fields such as physics and
chemistry
- He also stated that the primary focus of psychology was consciousness – the awareness of
immediate experience
- Because of his efforts and devotion to psychology, it became known as the scientific study of
conscious experience
Psychology in South Africa
• In the late 1950's the Psychological Association of South Africa (PASA) objects to
memberships of Black Psychologists
• in 1983 critical psychology develops
• in 1994 PASA disbands and becomes the Psychological association of South Africa (PsySSA).
And inclusive approach to psychology in South Africa begins to thrive
Defining psychology
Before we define psychology it is important to note that the term psychology comes from two Greek
words:
Psyche = meaning mind, and
Logos = referring to the study of a object
[Therefore, psychology is the scientific study of the mind, mental processes and behaviour
, Core components of psychology
Based on definition above there are three elements in the definition that you should be cognizant off; the mind,
mental processes and behaviour which we explore below:
- The Mind: Originates in the brain and fosters human consciousness
- Mental processes: Activities in the brain required to produce a sequence of systematic
actions, changes and function
- Behaviour: Is the response carried out by an organism
Review Concept Chart
*Psychology: The scientific study of the mind, mental processes and behaviour.
*The Mind: Originates in the brain and fosters human consciousness.
*Mental Processes: Refers to the activities in the brain that are required to produce a sequence
of systematic actions, changes and functions.
*Behaviour: Any response carried out by an organism.
Outcome 3 and 4: Demonstrate and understanding of the bio-psychosocial model and
Understand how and why the bio-psychosocial model is used in this course
Study guide: SS 1.1 The early and modern history of psychology (p. 4-5)
The Bio-psychosocial model explained
➢ The bio-psychosocial model was developed by George L. Engel in 1977
➢ This model looks at the biological, social and psychological aspects of human functioning as
it is believed that there is a complex interaction between each of these that can ultimately
influence human behaviour
➢ Using this model gives us a holistic understanding of human functioning
➢ Therefore, instead of only looking at biological aspects in behaviour and mental processes,
or the social circumstances contributing to the behaviour or mental processes, or even the
psychological influences or reactions thereof, we must attempt to keep all these factors in
mind simultaneously
psychology
Study Section 1.1: The early and modern history of psychology
Outcome 1 and 2: Give a formal definition of psychology and Define the core components of psychology
Study guide: SS 1.1 The early and modern history of psychology (p. 2-3)
Textbook: Weiten, Chapter 1 (p. 2-3)
History of Psychology
- Psychology has a long past and is believed to be as old as the human race
- Emerged as a scientific discipline 140 years ago
- Psychology has its roots in philosophy and physiology
- Wilhelm Wundt campaigned to make psychology an independent field of study
- Wilhelm Wundt is often viewed as the father/founder of modern psychology
- He felt that psychology should be a science modelled after fields such as physics and
chemistry
- He also stated that the primary focus of psychology was consciousness – the awareness of
immediate experience
- Because of his efforts and devotion to psychology, it became known as the scientific study of
conscious experience
Psychology in South Africa
• In the late 1950's the Psychological Association of South Africa (PASA) objects to
memberships of Black Psychologists
• in 1983 critical psychology develops
• in 1994 PASA disbands and becomes the Psychological association of South Africa (PsySSA).
And inclusive approach to psychology in South Africa begins to thrive
Defining psychology
Before we define psychology it is important to note that the term psychology comes from two Greek
words:
Psyche = meaning mind, and
Logos = referring to the study of a object
[Therefore, psychology is the scientific study of the mind, mental processes and behaviour
, Core components of psychology
Based on definition above there are three elements in the definition that you should be cognizant off; the mind,
mental processes and behaviour which we explore below:
- The Mind: Originates in the brain and fosters human consciousness
- Mental processes: Activities in the brain required to produce a sequence of systematic
actions, changes and function
- Behaviour: Is the response carried out by an organism
Review Concept Chart
*Psychology: The scientific study of the mind, mental processes and behaviour.
*The Mind: Originates in the brain and fosters human consciousness.
*Mental Processes: Refers to the activities in the brain that are required to produce a sequence
of systematic actions, changes and functions.
*Behaviour: Any response carried out by an organism.
Outcome 3 and 4: Demonstrate and understanding of the bio-psychosocial model and
Understand how and why the bio-psychosocial model is used in this course
Study guide: SS 1.1 The early and modern history of psychology (p. 4-5)
The Bio-psychosocial model explained
➢ The bio-psychosocial model was developed by George L. Engel in 1977
➢ This model looks at the biological, social and psychological aspects of human functioning as
it is believed that there is a complex interaction between each of these that can ultimately
influence human behaviour
➢ Using this model gives us a holistic understanding of human functioning
➢ Therefore, instead of only looking at biological aspects in behaviour and mental processes,
or the social circumstances contributing to the behaviour or mental processes, or even the
psychological influences or reactions thereof, we must attempt to keep all these factors in
mind simultaneously
