PSY 2012 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Wilhelm Wundt, Western Philosophy, American Psychologist
Document Summary
Attitudes of scientific approach: critical thinking, curiosity, skepticism, objectivity. Understanding truths of human life in all dimensions. Wilhelm wundt (1832-1920: german philosopher- physician, first psychology laboratory (1879) William james (1842-1910: american psychologist and philosopher. Identify purposes, or functions, of the mind: why is human thought adaptive, natural flow of thought, or stream of consciousness. Natural selection is adaptive and functional: nature favors trait that promote reproduction and survival, successful characteristics become dominant. Neuroscience: structure, function, development, genetics, biochemistry of nervous system, brain and nervous system are central to understanding behavior, thought, and emotion. Emphasis on observable behavioral responses and their environmental determinants. Notable behaviorists: john b. watson, b. f. skinner. Emphasis on: unconscious impulses, conflict between biological drives and society, childhood family experiences. Emphasis on: positive human qualities, capacity for positive growth, freedom to choose any destiny. Notable humanistic psychologists: carl rogers, abraham maslow. Emphasis on mental processes involved in knowing. How we: direct attention, perceive, remember, think, solve problems.
