Module Outline

Module 1: History and Perspectives in Psychological Science

Module 1 presents an introduction to the field of psychology.  It provides the definition of psychology, and how research in the field can be divided up into basic and applied research.

The module also presents a brief history of the field from Wundt’s laboratory in 1879 to the present.

Psychology can be subdivided into various perspectives or viewpoints. Each has a different way to view behavior. Module 1 discusses six of the contemporary perspectives: psychodynamic, behavioral, humanistic, cognitive, biological, and social-cultural.

The module concludes with a look at current day movements in the field.

Definition of Psychology
	Psychology
	Basic Research
	Applied Research
Modern Psychology’s Roots 19th-Century Roots
	Wilhelm Wundt
	E. B. Titchener
	Structuralism
	Gestalt psychology
	William James
	Functionalism
Psychology in the 20th Century
	Sigmund Freud
	Psychoanalysis
	Ivan Pavlov
	John B. Watson
	Behaviorism
	B.F. Skinner
	Humanistic psychology
	Abraham Maslow
	Carl Rogers
	Jean Piaget
Psychology’s American Groundbreakers
	Kenneth Clark
	Mamie Phipps Clark
Six Contemporary Psychological Perspectives
	Psychodynamic perspective
	Behavioral perspective
	Humanistic perspective
	Cognitive perspective
	Biological perspective
	Social-cultural perspective
Psychology in the 21st Century
	Behavior genetics
	Evolutionary psychology
	Positive psychology