• 1.1: Introduction to Psychology: Historical Context and Definition

    • OpenStax College: Psychology: "Chapter 1: Introduction to Psychology" URL

      Read Chapter 1. As you progress through this unit, consider the following study questions:

      • Why do you think psychology courses like this one are often requirements of so many different programs of study?
      • Why do you think many people might be skeptical about psychology being a science?
      • How did the object of study in psychology change over the history of the field since the 19th century?

    • The Noba Project: David Baker and Heather Sperry's "History of Psychology" Page

      This article provides a broad answer to the question "What is psychology?" This field's name derives from the roots "psyche" (meaning soul) and "-ology" (meaning scientific study of). The major takeaway from this reading is defining the field of psychology -- the scientific study of mind and behavior. Students of psychology develop critical thinking skills, become familiar with the scientific method, and learn to recognize the complexity of behavior. After you complete the reading think about your own definitions of psychology and mental health. How have these evolved over the years?

      Before moving on to the next subunit, you should be comfortable with each of the following topics:

      • The importance of Wundt and James in the development of psychology;
      • Freud’s influence on psychology;
      • The basic tenets of Gestalt psychology; 
      • The important role that behaviorism played in psychology’s history; 
      • The basic tenets of humanism; and 
      • The way the cognitive revolution shifted psychology’s focus back to the mind.