1-3: History of Psychology

Summary

In this lecture on the history of psychology, the speaker explores early psychological thought, starting with philosophers like Aristotle and Plato. It covers the influence of early pioneers like Wilhelm Wundt, who founded structuralism, and William James, who developed functionalism. Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis and its focus on unconscious motives is also discussed. The lecture then shifts to behaviorism, championed by Watson and Skinner, and concludes with Gestalt psychology, emphasizing that perception is more than just the sum of its parts. The talk highlights the evolution of psychology from philosophy to science.

Takeaways

• 📚 Psychology is a relatively new field, about 130-140 years old, but ideas about human behavior date back to ancient philosophers like Aristotle, Plato, and Descartes.
• 🧠 Socrates introduced the concept of introspection, which is the careful examination of one’s own thoughts and feelings.
• 🔗 Aristotle is known for the principle of associationism, which suggests that mental activities are based on past experiences.
• ⚔️ During the Middle Ages, many psychological issues were believed to be caused by demons, leading to practices like exorcisms and dangerous tests to determine possession.
• 🏛️ Wilhelm Wundt, the father of modern psychology, established the first psychological laboratory and developed the theory of structuralism, focusing on the elements of consciousness.
• 🔬 Wundt introduced objective introspection, where students analyzed their own thoughts and sensations in a structured way, often using simple objects like rocks.
• 🧩 William James developed functionalism, emphasizing the practical function of consciousness in daily life, and was influenced by Darwin’s theory of natural selection.
• 🧔 Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis theory focused on unconscious motives and the impact of early childhood experiences on personality development.
• 🐶 John Watson and B.F. Skinner contributed to behaviorism, which argued that psychology should focus on observable behavior, emphasizing conditioning and reinforcement.
• 🎶 Gestalt psychology emphasized that psychological phenomena like perception can only be understood as whole events, not by breaking them down into smaller parts, following the idea that 'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.'

Q & A

What are the main learning targets mentioned in the script?

The main learning targets are understanding early views of human behavior (from BCE times) and learning about the early pioneers of psychology, starting in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Who are some of the early thinkers mentioned in the script and their contributions to psychology?

Early thinkers include Aristotle, who wrote about the relationship between the soul and the body, and Plato, who believed the soul could exist separately from the body. Descartes believed the pineal gland was the seat of the soul. Socrates developed introspection, and Aristotle is also credited with associationism, the idea that mental activity comes from past experiences.

What was the common view of psychological problems during the Middle Ages?

During the Middle Ages, Europeans commonly believed psychological problems were caused by demons and possession. Exorcisms were performed, and tests, such as tying someone to rocks and throwing them into a lake, were used to determine if a person was possessed.

Who is considered the father of modern psychology, and what was his theory?

Wilhelm Wundt is considered the father of modern psychology. He established the first psychological laboratory in Leipzig, Germany, and developed the theory of structuralism, which focuses on the structure of consciousness, made up of thoughts, experiences, and emotions.

What is objective introspection, and who developed this concept?

Objective introspection is the process of objectively examining and measuring one's own thoughts and mental activities. This concept was developed by Wilhelm Wundt, who used it as a method to study the elements of consciousness.

What is functionalism, and who is associated with this theory?

Functionalism is a theory developed by William James. Unlike structuralism, it focuses on how the mind helps people adapt to their environment and function in everyday life, influenced by Darwin’s theory of natural selection.

What is Freud's theory of psychoanalysis, and what does it emphasize?

Freud's theory of psychoanalysis emphasizes unconscious motives that conflict with societal rules and norms, causing psychological problems. He believed that repressed urges from early childhood could surface and lead to nervous disorders.

How did Watson and Skinner contribute to behaviorism?

John Watson introduced behaviorism, focusing on observable behavior rather than consciousness. B.F. Skinner expanded on this with the concept of reinforcement, which suggests that behavior is shaped by rewards or punishments.

What is Gestalt psychology, and how does it differ from other theories?

Gestalt psychology, an alternative to behaviorism and structuralism, argues that psychological events such as perception cannot be understood by breaking them down into smaller elements. It emphasizes that 'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,' meaning perception is understood as a complete experience.

How does the script illustrate Gestalt principles using visual examples?

The script provides examples like two identical circles that appear different in size depending on their surroundings, and a symbol that looks like the letter 'B' in one context but appears as the number '13' in another. This demonstrates how perception can change based on the overall pattern or context.