2.1 The Birth of Psychology – How Did This Field Begin?
Psychology was not always a science.
In the beginning, it was part of philosophy.
Early thinkers asked deep questions such as:
What is the human mind?
Does the soul exist?
Where does knowledge come from?
Is behavior driven by free will or destiny?
These questions became the foundation of psychology.
2.2 Ancient Roots – Plato and Aristotle
Two major Greek philosophers shaped early psychological thought:
Plato (427–347 BCE)
Plato believed:
The mind and body are separate.
Knowledge is innate (we are born with certain ideas).
His ideas later influenced the famous nature vs. nurture debate.
Aristotle (384–322 BCE)
Aristotle argued:
The mind is part of the body.
Knowledge comes from experience.
This idea became the foundation of empiricism — the belief that knowledge comes through observation and experience.
From here, psychology began splitting into two directions:
Nature (inborn qualities)
Nurture (environment and learning)
2.3 1879 – The Official Birth of Modern Psychology
Psychology officially became a science in 1879 when
Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in Germany.
He argued that psychology should be studied scientifically.
His primary method was introspection — asking individuals to describe their thoughts and feelings in response to stimuli.
Although introspection had limitations and lacked full objectivity, it marked the beginning of scientific psychology.
2.4 Structuralism – Breaking the Mind into Parts
Edward Titchener developed structuralism.
His goal was to break the mind into basic components — much like chemistry breaks substances into elements.
He analyzed:
Thoughts
Sensations
Emotions
The problem?
The method was highly subjective and difficult to measure consistently.
2.5 Functionalism – What Does the Mind Do?
William James introduced functionalism.
He argued:
What matters is not what the mind is made of, but what it does.
This approach focused on survival and adaptation.
Example:
Why do humans feel fear?
Because fear helps us survive.
Functionalism shifted the focus from structure to purpose.
2.6 Psychoanalysis – Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud brought emotional depth to psychology.
He introduced:
The unconscious mind
Childhood trauma
Defense mechanisms
Freud's model of personality:
Id – Instinctual drives
Ego – Reality-based mediator
Superego – Moral conscience
He believed that adult behavior is largely shaped by childhood experiences.
Example:
Emotional neglect in childhood may lead to attachment issues in adulthood.
Criticism:
Freud's theories lacked strong scientific evidence.
However, his influence on emotional and therapeutic psychology was profound.
2.7 Behaviorism – Study Only What You Can See
John B. Watson and
B. F. Skinner argued:
The mind cannot be measured directly.
Psychology should focus only on observable behavior.
Key concepts:
Conditioning
Rewards and punishment
Stimulus → Response
Example:
If a child receives candy for completing homework, that behavior is likely to repeat.
Limitation:
Behaviorism largely ignored emotions and internal thought processes.
2.8 Humanistic Psychology – Humans Are Not Machines
Carl Rogers and
Abraham Maslow introduced a more optimistic view.
They believed:
Humans are not stimulus-response machines.
Humans are growth-oriented beings.
Maslow proposed the Hierarchy of Needs:
Physiological needs
Safety
Love and belonging
Esteem
Self-actualization
This theory remains highly influential in motivational psychology today.
2.9 The Cognitive Revolution – The Mind Returns
In the 1960s, psychologists realized:
To understand behavior, we must understand thinking.
This marked the beginning of cognitive psychology.
Focus areas included:
Memory
Decision-making
Problem-solving
Cognitive biases
Example:
Overthinking may be a cognitive distortion — an error in thinking patterns.
This movement brought the study of the mind back into psychology in a scientific way.
2.10 Modern Psychology – An Integrated Approach
Today, psychology combines multiple perspectives:
Neuroscience
Cognitive science
Behavioral research
Emotional intelligence
Trauma studies
Modern psychology focuses on:
Brain imaging
Evidence-based therapy
Emotional healing
Personal growth
It is no longer limited to one single theory.
2.11 Nature vs. Nurture – Final Understanding
Modern research shows:
Human beings are not 100% nature
And not 100% nurture
Both interact to shape personality.
Genes provide the foundation.
Environment builds the structure.
2.12 Chapter Summary
In this chapter, we explored:
Psychology's roots in philosophy
How Wundt established scientific psychology
Freud's introduction of the unconscious mind
Behaviorism's focus on observable behavior
Humanistic psychology's emphasis on growth
The cognitive revolution's return to thinking
Modern psychology's integrated approach
2.13 Self-Reflection
Do you believe you are more influenced by nature or nurture?
Can you identify childhood patterns in your current behavior?
Which psychological theory resonates with you the most?