Psychology - Lesson 2
Psychology - Lesson 2
Psychology - Lesson 2
of Psychology
Psychology also aims to contribute further
to the knowledge of human nature.
Specifically, it aims to deepen the
knowledge about human behaviour so that
man can improve the quality of his
existence.
Psychology as a scientific study aims to
describe, understand, predict and influence
human and animal behaviour and mental
process.
Describing behaviour- a detailed characterization of
a certain phenomenon can be presented and be a
means of further utilization of the study.
Understanding- involves the organization of facts
about behaviour, development of reasons pertaining
with the different relationships among observed
behaviour.
To predict behaviour will enable the psychologist to
anticipate any future actions of an individual.
Influence- involves the alteration of behaviour of
the individual. It further tends to change a certain
trait, idea, and beliefs of the individual.
School of Psychology
A school of psychology or school of thought is an
organized explanation of certain phenomena believed by
groups of people supporting the principle.
Several schools of thought are as follows:
Structuralism- grew out of work of James, Wundt,
Michelangelo
Leonardo da Vinci, in Freud’s book Leonardo
Monotheism.
Freud developed psychoanalysis as a form of
psychotherapy (free association)
A theory of personality (id, ego and superego)
and as theory of development (psychosexual
stage)
The goal is to help the patient understand and
accept repressed feelings and find ways to deal
with them.
Cognitive Psychology
Is a theoretical perspective that focuses on the realms of human
perception, thought and memory. It portrays learners as active
processors of information.
According to Jean Piaget (1969) students learn better when they
can invent knowledge through inquiry and experimentation
instead of acquiring facts presented by a teacher in class.
Lev Vygotsky (1978) emphasized the role of social interactions
in knowledge construction. Social contructivism turns attention
to childrens interaction with parents, peers, and teachers in
homes, neighbourhood, and schools. Vygotsky introduced the
concept of the zone of proximal development which is the
difference between the difficult level of a problem a student can
cope with independently and the level that can be
accomplished with help from others.
Existentialist Psychology
From this new Humanistic “3rd force” grew existential
psychology. Existential psychology started from
Humanistic Psychology’s focus on the human condition
and took it to an extreme.
Brenatos Psychology was known as “Intentionally, a
system of thought where every mental event referred to
something outside itself.
Brenatos was saying that a human being cannot exist as
an intrapsychic being.
Existentialist believe in both free will and the
uniqueness of the individual. Individual behaviors are
not seen as evil or good, but neutral, interpreted only by
the individual.
Humanistic
Called upon romantic and existential ideas to
restore the creative, healthy emotional side of
humanity.
Humanistic psychology believed that an
individual’s behaviour is primarily determined by
his perception of the world around him; individuals
are not solely the product of their environment and
individuals are internally directed and motivated to
fulfil their human potential. Abraham Maslow is
the proponent of this school.
MASLOW HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
Psychogenesis of
Psychology
Ancient Period
Man has tried to explain behaviour since time
immemorial. Although man is not quite aware
that they are utilizing psychology, the most
common way of explaining behaviour during
the Ancient times is the use of animism.
Essentially, it is the Gods and spirits who were
attributed to be the direct cause of events and
activities of man.
Greek Period
Psychology began with the ancient Greeks earliest quest for the
knowledge of human nature.
Democritus (460-370 BCE)- theorized that the human mind is
Spirited element (in the heart) by which man would express his
emotions
Element of bodily appetites and desires (in the diaphgram) an
life
Appetitive- focuses on the desire and motives
heart.
Hippocrates – father of medicine, first theorized that
mental disorders arose from natural causes. He was
also first to classify different mental disorders during
the classical period.
Galen- theorized relation of temperament to