Intro Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. It encompasses everything from brain function and perception to social interactions and psychological disorders.

Wilhelm Wundt is considered the father of modern psychology. He established the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany in 1879.

Structuralism was the first school of psychology, founded by Edward Titchener (based on Wundt's work). It aimed to break down conscious experience into its basic elements using introspection.

Introspection is the process of looking inward and examining one's own conscious thoughts and feelings. It was the primary method used by structuralists to study the mind.

Functionalism, pioneered by William James, focused on how and why mental processes help organisms adapt to their environment. It was influenced by Darwin's theory of evolution.

William James wrote this influential textbook. It covered topics such as habit, emotion, consciousness, and the self, and helped establish psychology as a legitimate discipline.

Behaviorism is a school of psychology that focuses exclusively on observable, measurable behavior. It rejects the study of internal mental states and was founded by John B. Watson.

Watson and Rosalie Rayner conditioned a baby (Little Albert) to fear a white rat by pairing it with a loud noise. This demonstrated that emotional responses could be classically conditioned.

B.F. Skinner was a leading behaviorist who developed the concept of operant conditioning. He demonstrated how behavior is shaped by its consequences (reinforcement and punishment) using the "Skinner box."

Psychoanalysis is a theory and therapy developed by Sigmund Freud that emphasizes the role of unconscious desires, conflicts, and childhood experiences in shaping behavior and personality.

Freud proposed three structures: the id (primitive desires, pleasure principle), the ego (mediator, reality principle), and the superego (moral conscience, idealistic principle).

Humanistic psychology, led by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, emphasizes free will, personal growth, and self-actualization. It views people as inherently good and striving toward their full potential.