200: Perspectives

Perspectives in Psychological Science

Patti Amos, MAEd

OpenStax Psychology Resource

Poll

I've taken a Psychology course before.

• Yes

• No

• Not Sure

Poll

Why are you taking psychology?

• I'm interested in the topic

• It's required for my degree

• I heard it's an easy A

• I plan on going into the field

Benefits for students

• critical thinking skills,

• become familiar with the scientific method,

• and recognize the complexity of behavior.

Psychology

• refers to the scientific study of the mind and behavior.

• social science

• behaviors are both influenced by biology and social influences, so both are studied

Changes Came

• 1950's

• A science of behavior began to shift back to its roots of focus on mental processes.

• The emergence of neuroscience and computer science aided this transition.

• The cognitive revolution took hold, and people came to realize that cognition was crucial to a true appreciation and understanding of behavior.

Wundt (structuralist)

• he believed that our cognitive experience was best understood by breaking that experience into its component parts.

• he thought this was best accomplished by introspection.

Multiple Choice

Who is connected with Structuralism?

• Wundt

• Freud

• Watson

• Maslow

James (functionalism)

• perspective focused on how mental activities served as adaptive responses to an organism’s environment.

• Like Wundt, James also relied on introspection;

• however, his research approach also incorporated more objective measures as well.

Multiple Choice

Perspective focused on how mental activities served as adaptive responses to an organism’s environment.

• structuralism

• functionalism

• psychodynamic

• Gestalt

Gestalt

• takes a holistic view of an individual and his experiences.

Multiple Choice

Gestalt therapy takes what kind of view?

• humanistic

• egocentric

• functional

• holistic

Watson and Skinner (Behaviorism)

• focused on making psychology an objective science by studying overt behavior and deemphasizing the importance of unobservable mental processes.

• John Watson is often considered the father of behaviorism,

• Skinner’s contributions to our understanding of principles of operant conditioning cannot be underestimated.

Multiple Choice

__________ focused on making psychology an objective science by studying overt behavior and deemphasizing the importance of unobservable mental processes.

• psychoanalytic

• humanism

• behaviorism

• structuralism

Maslow and Rogers (humanism)

• Humanism focuses on the potential of all people for good.

• Both Maslow and Rogers were influential in shaping humanistic psychology.

Multiple Choice

Humanism focuses on the potential of all people for _______.

• evil

• good

• success

• survival

Cognitive Psychology

• is concerned with the relationship that exists between thought and behavior, and developmental psychologists study the physical and cognitive changes that occur throughout one’s lifespan.

Multiple Choice

is concerned with the relationship that exists between thought and behavior, and developmental psychologists study the physical and cognitive changes that occur throughout one’s lifespan.

• biological psychology

• behavioral psychology

• clinical psychology

• Cognitive psychology

Personality Psychology

• focuses on individuals’ unique patterns of behavior, thought, and emotion.

Multiple Choice

focuses on individuals’ unique patterns of behavior, thought, and emotion.

• behavioral psychology

• functional psychology

• personality psychology

• clinical psychology

Contemporary Psychology

• Health psychologists look for ways to help people live healthier lives.

• Clinical psychology involves the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and other problematic behavioral patterns.

• Sport and exercise psychologists study the interactions between thoughts, emotions, and physical performance in sports, exercise, and other activities.

• Forensic psychologists carry out activities related to psychology in association with the justice system.

Multiple Select

More types of contemporary psychology include which of the following?

• health psychologists

• clinical psychologists

• sports and exercise psychologists

• forensic psychologists