While psychology did not emerge as a separate discipline until the late 1800s, its earliest history can be traced back to the time of the early Greeks. During the 17th-century, the French philosopher Rene Descartes introduced the idea of dualism, which asserted that the mind and body were two entities that interact to form the human experience.

Many other issues still debated by psychologists today, such as the relative contributions of nature vs. nurture, are rooted in these early philosophical traditions.

So what makes psychology different from philosophy? While early philosophers relied on methods such as observation and logic, today’s psychologists utilize scientific methodologies to study and draw conclusions about human thought and behavior.

Physiology also contributed to psychology’s eventual emergence as a scientific discipline. Early physiological research on the brain and behavior had a dramatic impact on psychology, ultimately contributing to applying scientific methodologies to the study of human thought and behavior.

This course presents the historical foundations of psychology. Information is presented in terms of people, ideas, and schools of thought as well as the spirit of the times that influenced their development. The following topics include: a historical foundation; physiological influences; the spirit of mechanism; philosophical foundations; Wilhen Wundt; Eduard Titchener; Structuralism vs Functionalism; Charles Darwin and evolution; Francis Galton; Herbert Spencer and social Darwinism; William James; Applied Psychology and the growth of American Psychology; pioneers in the influence of Animal Psychology; Watson, Pavlov and Thorndike; Gestalt Psychology; Freud and psychoanalysis; and the Neo-Freudians. Some bonus lectures are included to give a broader concept of psychological perspectives.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the history and various theoretical formulations and systems in psychology.

2. Explain the components of various systems and evaluate using critical thinking skills.

3. Recognize new topics in psychology based on perspective and/or schools of thought.

4. Identify fundamental psychological concepts and principles related to history and systems.

5. Recognize how history/systems of the past may be applied in modern psychology.