Chapter 1 Evolution of Psychology

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Psychology is derived from classic philosophy and 19th century philosophy and
physiology, disciplined that shared an interest in the mysteries of the mind

Psychology became an independent discipline (used to be a sub child of philosophy &

physiology) when Wilhelm Wundt established the first ever psych research lab in
1879 in Leipzig, Germany

Psychology scientific study of consciousness or study of the mind

Psych grew rapidly in N.A. by the late 19th century, thanks to G. Stanley Halls career
(student of Wundt)

Hall established Americas first psych research lab and founded the APA

Structuralists, led by Edward Titchener, believed that psych should use introspection
to analyze consciousness into basic elements
o Structuralism belief that psych should analyze consciousness into basic
elements and their interrelations (structure)
o Introspection careful, systematic self-observation of ones own conscious
experience

Functionalists, inspired by the ideas of William James, believed that psych should
focus on the purpose and changing functions of consciousness
o Functionalism belief that psych should investigate function and purpose of
consciousness, not structure

Paved the way for behaviourism and applied psych

Behaviourism study of observable reactions and actions, rather than

unobservable thoughts

Behaviourists, led by John B. Watson, argued that psych should study only
observable behavior
o Campaigned to redefine psych as the science of behavior

Emphasizing the important of the environment over heredity, behaviourists begain to

explore stimulus-response relationships (SRR), using lab animals as objects

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Sigmund Freud was an Austrian physician who invented psychoanalysis

o Psychoanalysis basic ideas:

Besides inherited personality, human development is determined

by events in early childhood

Human behavior, experience and thought is largely influenced by

external influences

Attempts to bring these drives into awareness meet psychological

resistance in the form of defense mechanisms

Conflicts between conscious and unconscious material result in

mental disturbances/illnesses such as anxiety, depression, neurosis,
etc.

Liberation from effects of the unconscious material is achieved by

bringing the material into the conscious mind

o Psychoanalytic theory emphasized the unconscious determinants of

behavior and the important of psychology
o Freuds ideas were controversial and met with resistance in academic
psych, however as more psychologists developed an interest in
personality, motivation, and abnormal behaviour
o Psychoanalytic concepts were incorporated into mainstream psych
o The influence of behaviourism was boosted greatly in B.F. Skinners
research
o Skinner agreed with Watson psych should study only observable
behaviour (behaviourism)
o Working with lab rats and pigeons, Skinner demonstrated that organisms
tend to repeat responses that lead to POSITIVE consequences and not
repeat responses that lead to neutral or negative
o Based on the belief that all behaviour is completely governed by external
stimuli (external forces), Skinner argued that the choice of free will is an
illusion controversial and misunderstood ideas
o Humanism emerged in the 1950s when behaviourism and psychoanalysis
were found unsatisfactory

o Humanism emphasized the unique qualities of human behaviour and

humans freedom and potential for personal growth

Humanists take an optimistic view of human nature

People are not pawns of their heritage or environmental

circumstances, such as fate, destiny, etc.

To date, humanists greatest contribution to psychology has been

their innovative treatments for psychological problems and
disorders

Psychology in Canada