Origins of Psychology

• Rene Descartes


  Proposed cartesian dualism: mind and body are independent
• John Locke


  Advocated for empiricism: all experiences derived from senses
• Charles Darwin

  Developed evolutionary theory: social behavior evolved due to adaptive value
• Psychology

  Branch of philosophy: experimental philosophy
• Wilhelm Wundt


  Established first experimental psychology lab: focused on introspection
• Introspection

  Method of observation under controlled conditions: same stimulus and instructions
• Sigmund Freud


  Introduced psychoanalysis: emphasised influence of unconscious mind on behavior
• John B Watson


  Prominent behaviorist: criticised introspection-data was subjective as it varied from person to person. Focused on observable phenomena.
• Watson's/Skinner's scientific approach

  Behaviorist focus on learning and controlled lab experiments
• Rogers and Maslow

  Advocated for humanistic approach: emphasised free will and self-determination
• Cognitive Revolution

  Introduction of digital computer: led to study of mental processes in a scientific way
• Albert Bandura

  Developed social learning theory: emphasized cognitive factors in learning
• Biological approach

  Dominant scientific perspective in psychology: focuses on brain and physiological processes. Scanning like fMRI and EEG
• Advances in technology

  Led to increased understanding of the brain and biological approaches
• Cognitive neuroscience


  Emerging discipline combining cognitive and biological approaches