PSYCHOLOGY: MY VIEW 3
Psychology is often misconstrued as a form of diagnostic and treatment only for individuals who have mental or emotional problems. However, this is just one form of psychology. The online general psychology course at South University introduces the student to a more accurate notion of psychology. The following essay will provide an overview of the material learned on the first two weeks of the online class. As such, the reader will have a better understanding of psychology; its historical development and impact in modern psychology; and how the scientific research applies in psychology. PSYCHOLOGY AS A SCIENCE
In our textbook, psychology is defined as ?the scientific study of thought and behavior? (Feist
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Therefore, the researchers conducted experiments on Albert to test their assumption consisting on striking the hammer on the steel when they presented an animal or object. Finally, the researchers interpreted Alberts reaction to the animal or objected after being conditioned to associate it with a negative sensation and communicated their prediction was plausible. The fact that the researchers in this case were able to observe, measure and manipulate a reaction on Albert to produce empirical evidence needed to prove or disprove their theory is what makes psychology a science. HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY AND ITS IMPACT ON MODERN PSYCHOLOGY
In the lecture and textbook, it is mentioned that psychology stems from two unrelated scientific fields which are philosophy and physiology. Philosophy, as it is defined in our lecture, refers to ?the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom? (South University, 2015). Physiology, on the other hand, refers to ?the study of the functions of an organism?(South University, 2015). Although many individuals contributed to the practice and development of psychology, only a handful of these contributors laid the ground work that shaped psychology into a science. For instance, the philosopher John Locke introduced the theory of empiricism. In his theory, Locke contended the mind begins as a?tabula rasa, or blank
And explain thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Research psychologist studies exciting opportunities in psychology; it looks at various branches in the field of psychological research, for example in clinical psychology which includes both scientific research, focusing on the search for general principles, and clinical service, focusing on the study and care of clients, and information gathered from each of these activities influences practice and research., development psychology focuses on behaviors and conducts, while trying to understand the formation of its studies. The field of psychology commonly uses experimental methods in what is known as experimental psychology. Researchers design experiments to test specific hypotheses (the deductive approach), or to evaluate functional relationships (the inductive approach). One such experimental study is The Milgram experiment on obedience to authority figures. My paper will attempt to look at the ethics surrounding the Milgarm experiment, on the obedience to authority figures. And the reasons some psychologist misconstrued it has unethical.
In order to be considered a science, Psychology must consequently adhere to using a scientific method. If this were, as usual,
Psychology is an applied as well as an academic field that studies both the human mind and behavior. The research in psychology attempts to explain and understand behavior, emotion and thought. The subject of psychology was created when Wilhelm Wundt opened up the very first psychology lab in Leipzig, Germany. Wilhelm Wundt believed that individuals who are appropriately trained would most likely be able to recognize the mental processes that are accompanied with feelings, thoughts and sensations (Wagner , 2009).
Psychology isn’t just a phenomenon; it is a scientific study. Psychology as a science answers the question “why”, proposes a theory and sets experiment to test the hypothesis. The research is geared towards evidence-based strategies to solve problems and improve lives. As a science, it is subdivided into various groups such as clinical psychology, counselling psychology, developmental psychology, climate and environmental
Authored by Keith E. Stanovich, How to Think Straight About Psychology is a known work of the psychology world which was published in 1986. Beginning courses in psychology use his text frequently. Stanovich primary purpose for writing the text is to bring attention to his observation that the public’s understanding of psychology is different from psychology as a modern science. Psychology as a modern science explains the underlying functions that shape human attitudes and behavior. To the people who misunderstand this, the field of psychology is not a real science, but a pseudo-science instead. How to Think Straight About Psychology describes people’s several false impressions of psychology and it gives its readers a factual understanding of the field as a modern and scientific psychology while explaining how this science works.
Psychology does not only deal with the dynamics of human brain but it also plays an essential
Part of what I learned in psychology is about Psychological science and when it was “born”. Also, some of psychology’s first graduate students studied the “atoms of the mind” by conducting experiments in Leipzig, Germany in 1879. American philosopher William James wrote an important 1890 psychology textbook. Mary Calkins, James’s student, became the APA’s first female president.
It is difficult to determine whether psychology enhances our scientific understanding of human behaviour, according to Kuhn (1962) psychology is a pre-science. This essay concerns the evaluation to whether contemporary psychology enhances scientific understanding of human behaviour. Psychology is commonly referred to as the scientific study of one’s mind and behaviour. In order to research the extent to which this is true, it is important to consider the definition of science. Sciences are objective as it aims to study observable facts which direct theories. A science is also characterised by the concept that variables are testable and can be either verified or falsified. According to Popper (1963) science is the process where theories are created first then hypotheses are generated allowing it to be confirmed or disconfirmed. When psychological theories are falsifiable and can be proved or disproved its content becomes more robust and tenable. Further research by Kuhn (1962) suggested that paradigms (beliefs that replace old ones) are an important underpinning aspect of scientific approaches. More recent research by Boyack, Klavans and Borner (2005) identified the most influential areas in science by analysing a million scientific research articles and found psychology to be widely influential in science and therefore highlighting the importance of psychology’s position as a science. Finally, this essay aims to establish whether psychology can enhance scientific
Psychology was first established as a separate science of biology and philosophy, that 's when the real debate over how to describe and explain the human mind and behavior began start, different psychological schools represent the major theories of psychology.
Before psychology consolidated it self as the school of thought we have come to know today, it went through a number of theoretical adjustments. Freud and Watson became pioneers of two different approaches. Psychodynamics and Behaviorism could be argued to be two of the most pivotal influences on psychology. To really grasp their value we have to understand their individual philosophical influences, founders and their theories. Both have expanded the growth of psychology as a science, but with comparable views of what that science should represent.
The field of psychology has grown tremendously over the years. Originally the field began with the Greek asking questions about how we know anything and how we can be sure that we know (Wertheimer, 2012, p.21). The philosophy’s that were created over time lead to the beginning of experimental psychology in 19th century Europe (Wertheimer, 2012, p.65). This was a time of little diversity as those who studied psychology tended to be white European men. This lack of diversity may have hindered the speed at which the field of psychology grew but has still made a great contribution to its growth.
I clearly remember the day I decided I wanted to have a career in the field of psychology. I was a junior in high school and was sitting in my general psychology class. We were discussing the structure of the brain and what each region was responsible for. It was fascinating to me to learn about the different structures of the brain and how they directly relate to our behavior. It was during that class period that I realized I wanted to pursue a career in the field. My teacher, Ms. Freeman, exposed me to the science of psychology and the impact it can have on people who are struggling to understand their circumstances. Her passion for the subject was evident in the way she taught. She was so interested in the brain, the
Although there are many belief systems, modern psychologists share similar procedures and values known as the empirical method (Vickers). Psychology is theory driven, seeks evidence, multi-leveled, and contextual, unlike philosophy which relies heavily on unproven beliefs, psychology aims to discover scientific information. Psychologists approach ideas using the scientific method based on Sir Francis Bacon’s emphasis on minimizing bias (Wiley 29). They create hypotheses which according to Karl Popper must establish observations that could be refutable (30).
From ancient times people were interested in psyche, but the systematic collection of empirical knowledge began in the nineteenth century, in Germany. Hermann Ebbinghaus (the German psychologist) in the "Outline of Psychology" wrote a significant sentence: "Psychology has a long past, but a short history.” (Landrum, No date) Comparatively to physics or chemistry, psychology is a relatively new discipline. (Carlson, Martin & Buskist, 2004) Before that, psychology was treated as a branch of philosophy. Philosophers who have made the greatest contribution to the psychology development were: Plato (who as first described the internal conflicts), Aristotle (who created systematic classification of mental processes), St. Augustine and Descartes. German scientists as Müller, Helmholtz and Fechner were the first who applied the experimental methods. Their works are related to the borderland of physiology and psychology (perception of stimuli). As appeared so late, have psychology found a place in a science world? (Hergenhahn, Henley, 2013).
It is understood that psychology is a science that spans multiple areas of expertise and knowledge, as well as the clinical model, social, educational, relations and also through a