Student Name Ashley Benitez ___________________________________________
1. Fill in this chart to demonstrate the following Historical Roots of Psychology: Structualism,
Functionalism, Gestalt, Behaviorism, and Psychoanalysis. Include information as demonstrated
below.
Historical Root Founder Key elements of this Historical Root
Functionalism William James (1842– James accepted Darwin's theory of evolution by
1910 natural selection, which explains that traits,
including behaviors, evolve because they help
organisms adapt to their environment. These
adaptations aid in survival and reproduction.
For James, the goal of psychology was to study
the function of behavior in helping individuals
adapt to their world. This perspective became
known as functionalism.
Cite: Introduction to Psychology, Chapter 1.2
Structualism Wilhelm Wundt (1832– Wundt’s book *Principles of Physiological
1920) Psychology* (1873) laid the foundation for
psychology as the scientific study of conscious
experience. He aimed to identify the
components of consciousness and understand
how they combined to form conscious
experience. Wundt used introspection (or
"internal perception"), a method where
individuals examined their own consciousness
as objectively as possible under controlled
experimental conditions. These conditions
involved using trained observers and repeatable
stimuli to ensure accuracy and avoid personal
interpretation. Wundt’s approach, focused on
studying the structure of the mind, became
known as structuralism.
Cite: Introduction to Psychology, Chapter 1.2
Gestalt Max Wertheimer Gestalt psychology, introduced to American
(1880–1943), Kurt psychologists by several key figures, emphasizes
Koffka (1886–1941), that while sensory experiences can be broken
and Wolfgang Köhler down into individual components, it is the
(1887–1967) relationship between these parts as a whole
that influences perception. The term "Gestalt"
translates to "whole," underscoring the idea
that individuals perceive entire patterns or
configurations rather than just separate
elements.
Cite: Introduction to Psychology, Chapter 1.2
Behaviorism John B. Watson John B. Watson, an influential American
psychologist in the early 20th century, argued
that studying consciousness was flawed, as the
mind could not be objectively analyzed. Instead,
he focused on observable behavior and sought
to control it, marking a shift in psychology from
studying the mind to studying behavior. This
approach became known as behaviorism.
Cite: Introduction to Psychology, Chapter 1.2
Psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud Psychoanalysis is a therapeutic approach
developed by Sigmund Freud, which utilizes
techniques such as free association, dream
analysis, and transference to uncover repressed
emotions and unconscious thoughts.
Cite: Introduction to Psychology, Key Terms,
Chapter 1
Note: Your chart will be bigger and have tons of info under key elements
2. These are some major perspectives in Psychology.
Psychological Major Psychologist recognized Key concepts of this perspective
Perspective within this perspective. (name at
least one—ideally not one from
table above)
Developmental Naomi Weisstein continuous development
view that
development is a
cumulative process:
gradually improving
on existing skills
Psychoanalytic Drew Westen (1998) psychoanalytic theory
focus on the role of
the unconscious in
affecting conscious
behavior
Westen argues that critics often
overlook the lasting impact of
Freud’s broad ideas, such as the
significance of childhood
experiences in shaping adult
motivations, the influence of
unconscious versus conscious
motivations on behavior, the role
of motivational conflicts in
shaping actions, the importance
of mental representations of self
and others in interactions, and
the ongoing development of
personality.
Cognitive B. F. Skinner (1904–1990) cognition
thinking, including perception,
learning, problem solving,
judgment, and memory.
Skinner developed a chamber
that allowed the careful study
of the principles of modifying
behavior through reinforcement
and punishment. This device,
known as an operant
conditioning chamber (or more
familiarly, a Skinner box), has
remained a crucial resource for
researchers studying behavior
(Thorne & Henley, 2005)
Humanistic Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers According to Maslow, the
(O’Hara, n.d. highest-level needs relate to
self-actualization, a process by
which we achieve our full
potential. Obviously, the focus
on the positive aspects of
human nature that are
characteristic of the humanistic
perspective is evident (Thorne
& Henley,
2005). Humanistic psychologists
rejected, on principle, the
research approach based on
reductionist experimentation in
the tradition of the physical and
biological sciences, because it
missed the “whole” human
being.
Behavioral Ivan Pavlo behavior therapy
therapeutic orientation that
employs principles of learning
to help clients change
undesirable behaviors.
cognitive-behavioral therapy
form of psychotherapy that
aims to change cognitive
distortions and self-defeating
behaviors.
