Foundations of Psychology - 771 Words

Foundations of Psychology Psychology is an academic and applied discipline involving the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. There is some tension between scientific psychology (with its program of empirical research) and applied psychology (dealing with a number of areas). Psychologists attempt to explain the mind and brain in the context of real life. In contrast neurologists utilize a physiological approach. Psychologists study such phenomena as perception, cognition, emotion, personality, behavior, and interpersonal relationships. Psychology also refers to the application of such knowledge to various spheres of human activity including issues related to daily life—e.g. family, education, and work—and the treatment of†¦show more content†¦The school of thought known as structuralism was initiated by Edward Titchener, one of Wundt s students. This school of thought was called structuralism because of Titchener s interest in the structural make up of consciousness. It w as Ticthener s hope to devise a table of the levels, or elements of human consciousness using Wundt s introspection idea. Ticthener viewed psychology scientifically. He believed that the only way to understand psychology was through experimentation. This eventually led to the idea that sensation and feelings were unscientific because it could not be measured by anyone but the person experiencing it. The second school of thought that was popular in psychology s beginning was known as functionalism. This school of though focused on the role psychological processes have on helping people adapt to their surroundings. Functionalists believe that consciousness exists because it serves a function (Kowalski Westen, 2005). William James, one of the founders of functionalism, set out to explain why we think the way that we do. These two schools of thought branch out even further to offer assumptions or perspectives on these theories. Psychodynamic, behaviorist, cognitive, and evolutionary p erspectives help to expand psychological thinking and guide psychological studied. Psychodynamic and behaviorist perspectives will be covered since the last two are more recent perspectives. Sigmund Freud emphasis was on psychodynamics. HisShow MoreRelatedFoundation of Psychology773 Words   |  4 PagesFoundation of Psychology Psychology is the study of human behavior and mind. According to Psychology: The Study of Mental Processes and Behavior defined psychology as the scientific investigation of mental processes (thinking, remembering, feeling, etc.) and behavior. Psychology alone has more than one basic foundation. Psychology can be as broad as biology and as detailed as philosophy, because it includes humans who are very complex in nature. Psychology involves more than how people act;Read MoreFoundations of Psychology747 Words   |  3 PagesFoundations of Psychology L R Juneaux 07/24/2013 PSY/300 Psychology is one of the core studies of the human being, which include investigating of behavior and mental processes. Many processes have to happen before one can even think a single thought. A specific stimulus through sensory organs, nerve interactions, and sorting through the brain are just a few processes that occur. Psychology is one of the most complex areas of study. In this paper, I will identify the major schools of thoughtRead MoreFoundations of Psychology Paper785 Words   |  4 PagesRunning Head: FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY PAPER Foundations of Psychology Paper PSY/300 November 7, 2011 Betsy Ferronato Foundations of Psychology Paper * This paper will discuss the major schools of thought in psychology and examine their major underlying assumptions. The paper will also identify the primary biological foundations of psychology linked to behavior. According to our reading in psychology is the scientific investigation of mental processes and behavior. Mental processesRead More Foundations of Psychology Essay813 Words   |  4 PagesWhen psychology first emerged as a science, the process of explaining the human mind and human behavior began. In this essay we will present a brief synopsis of what psychology is and introduce the reader to the primary biological foundations of psychology that are linked to behavior as well as introducing the reader to the major schools of thought in psychology. In Kowalski and Westen Fifth Edition of Psychology, psychology is define as â€Å"the scientific investigation of mental processes such as;Read MoreFoundations of Psychology Essay763 Words   |  4 PagesFoundations of Psychology According to science philosopher Thomas Kuhn, the ongoing development of scientific paradigms is responsible for scientific progress. A scientific paradigm has three basic characteristics: a series of assertions that provide a model of the object of study, a group of common metaphors that assist with comprehension of the object of study, and a methodology that is accepted by the scientific community to provide legitimate and valuable data when carried out correctly. WithinRead MoreThe Conceptual Foundations Of Psychology2268 Words   |  10 PagesAll sciences originally descended from philosophy and over the centuries the special sciences gradually became independent of this discipline, with Psychology being one of the last of the special sciences to separate from the parent during the 19th century (Banyard, Davies, Normal Winder, 2010). The questions and ideas in Psychology have been of interest since the time of the ancient Greeks, where philosophers inquired into how human being s know the world. Plato asked questions about human motivationRead MoreA Foundation For Studying Emotional Psychology972 Words   |  4 Pagesto signal different emotions are universally comprehended. Therefore, do all human beings signal certain emotions with the same, universal, facial expression? The studies conducted regarding the universality thesis were used as a foundation for studying emotional psychology. Making it extremely relevant to question such influential research, which appears to lack consistent and convincing results. There are three main issues regarding the universality thesis. The first of which is that, methodologicalRead MoreIntegrative Approaches Of Psychology And Christianity1495 Words   |  6 PagesApproaches to Psychology and Christianity, An Introduction to Worldview Issues, Philosophical Foundations and Models of Integration† is a book written by David N. Entwistle that offers insight and awareness to the relationship between psychology and theology. Psychology and theology share a common interest in the nature and purpose of human beings. This book introduces worldview issues and a philosophical source that provides a framework of the relationship between the science of psychology and ChristianityRead MorePsychologys Influence on Nursing Essay1149 Words   |  5 PagesAs defined by Mason and Whitehead, psychology is a branch of biological science which focuses on the study of conscious life in its origin (66). Mason and Whitehead go on to argue that conscious life refers to th e experiences of the individual and origins refer to the particular group or issue being reviewed: e.g., child, adult, abnormal or animal (66-7). A basic examination of the definition of psychology demonstrates that the practice is one that requires understanding of the human experience andRead MoreThe Benefits Of Breastfeeding For Mothers875 Words   |  4 Pagescaregivers (Health Psychology). For those mothers whom are able and willing to breastfeed their infants there is a definite benefit. Breastfeeding is shown to benefit the mother and child through its natural ability to aide in the mother’s inner peace, its health giving properties, its superior nutrient content compared to formula, and accessibility. Though breastfeeding is undoubtedly the optimum feeding method, it is not necessarily a possibility for some mothers (The Nemours Foundation). For example