PSYC 1010: Introduction to Psychology – Syllabus, Course Structure, and Foundational Concepts

History and Foundations of Psychology

Psychology's Origins

• Originally part of philosophy; ancient Greeks contemplated the mind.

• Formal beginning in the late 19th century.

• Wilhelm Wundt: Established the first psychology lab in 1879; focused on the building blocks of the mind using introspection.

Structuralism

• Key Figures: Wilhelm Wundt and E.B. Titchener.

• Definition: Structuralism aimed to understand the structure and characteristics of the mind through introspection.

• Method: Emphasized systematic observation to study consciousness.

• Example: Participants described their sensory experiences in detail to identify the basic elements of consciousness.

Theoretical Perspectives in Psychology

Modern psychology is shaped by five primary schools of thought, each offering unique explanations for behavior:

Perspective	Key Features	Major Figures
Structuralism	Focus on the structure of the mind; introspection	Wilhelm Wundt, E.B. Titchener
Functionalism	Emphasis on the purpose and function of mental processes	William James
Behaviorism	Focus on observable behavior; learning through reinforcement and punishment	John B. Watson, B.F. Skinner
Cognitivism	Study of mental processes; interpretation and thinking	Jean Piaget, Ulric Neisser
Psychodynamic	Role of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences	Sigmund Freud

Additional info:

• Women in Psychology: Historically faced social prejudice and exclusion from graduate programs; currently underrepresented at the highest faculty ranks and experience pay disparities.