Learning Objectives

After studying this chapter, you should be able to:

1. Define psychology and explain why psychology is a science.
2. Explain the difference between rationalism, nativism and empiricism.
3. List eight important historical figures who are associated with the philosophical roots of psychology and explain their positions relative to the traditions of rationalism versus empiricism.
4. List two important historical figures who are associated with the scientific (physiological) origins of psychology, mentioning the study of nerve conduction and brain functioning.
5. List the developers of psychophysics, evolution and differential psychology and explain the significance of these theories in the development of psychology.
6. Describe the contributions of Wilhelm Wundt to the growth of psychology.
7. Describe the leader, goals, methods and weaknesses of the early school of psychology known as structuralism.
8. List four important figures in the development of functionalism and describe the goals and contributions of this early school of psychology.
9. List two important figures in the development of behaviorism, describe the "proper" object of study for behaviorists, and indicate the place of behaviorism in contemporary psychology.
10. Briefly describe the leaders and origins of Gestalt psychology and explain its important features and concepts, as well as the nature of its influence on contemporary psychology.
11. Briefly describe the origins of psychoanalysis, briefly explaining several important Freudian concepts, and then summarize the significant impact and weaknesses of this perspective.
12. Describe the many obstacles that faced professional women during the early years of psychology, emphasizing the concept of separate spheres and the significance of the experimentalists.
13. List and describe the major accomplishments of three important early psychologists who were women, emphasizing the contributions of Mary Whiton Calkins.
14. List and contrast the important emphases of contemporary behavioral, psychoanalytic, and humanistic perspectives, mentioning the significant individuals, concepts, and concerns associated with each of these perspectives.
15. List and contrast the important emphases of the contemporary cognitive, biopsychological, and social-cultural perspectives, mentioning the significant individuals, concepts, and concerns associated with each of these perspectives.
16. List and briefly describe six major academic fields of specialization within modern psychology, and then offer examples that explain the difference between basic research and applied research.
17. List and briefly describe seven major professional fields of specialization within modern psychology, and then distinguish among clinical psychology, counseling psychology, and psychiatry. Mention three emerging fields of professional psychology.