3.5 ⭐
”The human brain is the only living thing that can study itself.”
A great launch pad for those interested in the field of Psychology. Introducing many of the prominent early thinkers and their ideas within the broader context of 6 different approaches in the field, this introductory work serves as a catalyst for further research into particular areas that may spark your interest.
The 6 approaches include
Biological
(lobe functions, neuron structure etc.),
Psychodynamic
(the conscious/unconscious mind [tripartite personality], dream analysis, psychosexual stages, Oedipus/Electra complexes, Jung’s archetypes),
Behaviourist
(classical conditioning, systematic desensitization),
Cognitive
(developmental theory of knowledge, Piaget’s schemas, zone of proximal development, the unreliable nature of our memories, cognitive behavioural therapy),
Humanistic
(Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, personcentered therapy) and
Social Psychology
(conformity[“groupthink”], normative social influence, informational social influence, Zimbardo’s ‘Lucifer Effect’).
Prominent psychologists mentioned in varying depths include, but are not limited to: Wilhelm Wundt, Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, B. F. Skinner, Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, Stanley Milgram, Philip Zimbardo, Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers.
Freud and Jung were the 2 that I was most looking forward to learning about coming into this, however, in an unexpected twist, the psychodynamic approach is actually the one I walked away least convinced about, by far! First impressions, while I reserve the right to completely backflip on any comment made henceforth once I’ve read further, are a little bit of disbelief that somebody whose theories are so inherently unfalsifiable (being works regarding the immeasurable unconscious) and unscientific is arguably the most famous psychologist ever known. Don’t get me wrong, Freud’s theories are some of the most interesting to consider, but only from a purely theoretical standpoint. Is his work not the definition of pseudoscience?
The whole concept of the psychosexual stages through which our conscious and unconscious minds develop seems completely absurd. If a child becomes fixated with a particular stage of their development, problems relating to key events in that stage can arise in adulthood. Take the phallic stage (3-6 years old) for example, in which the key events are genital stimulation and experiencing the Oedipus/Electra complexes and the problems in adulthood, associated with fixation on these events are jealousy, vanity and unhealthy sexual desire. During the ‘Electra complex’ a girl is thought to have ”penis envy”.
“She notices that she does not have a penis, while the male members of her family do, and she wishes that she too had one. Freud thought that the girl's logical reasoning would be to believe that her mother had cut off her, the girl's, penis. Once the girl realizes it isn't possible for her to have a penis, she represses her rage against the mother and replaces her desire for a penis with a desire to have a baby.”
Is it just me or does that sound like completely fabricated horseshit? It gets better. Freud further suggests that girls/women never fully resolve their penis envy…. Take that, ladies!
I have a couple of theories I’m planning to hand in for publication as well actually:
1. The number of Mario Kart races that one wins/loses to friends/family members between the ages of 6-15 has a profound effect on one’s self-esteem and confidence in adulthood. Residual effects of a poor win/loss ratio can also include an irrational fear of turtle shells and slipping on banana skins. The subject is more inclined to see experimentation with magic mushrooms as a potentially positive experience, a chance for growth.
2. The Pasiphae Complex affects those who have had a traumatic bovine experience during adolescence (being chased by a bull, a bad milking experience etc.) and, consequently, are 73% more likely to find the works of wood sculptors distasteful. They are also more disposed to having snakes and/or scorpions as household pets.
If somebody would be willing to peer review my theories, that’d be great, thanks! :)