The History of Psychology Essay

1900- Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud
This publication written by the famous Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, plays an important role for the modern approaches to psychology. As he thoroughly explored such issues as the unconscious, free association, sexuality, it gives opportunity to the present day psychologists to analyze human psychology in a proper way.
1920- The Child Conception of the World by Jean Piaget
This publication gives the opportunity to evaluate cognition in the developing child and to define different stages of child development. It helps us to analyze the functioning of child’s thought, and to explain social behavior and child’s logic. The ideas given by the author of this publication help us to study child development in a proper way.
1946- The Psychoanalytic Treatment of Children by Anna Freud
This book gives us basic concepts of child psychoanalysis which are very important for understanding the theory of child analysis. Using the information represented in this book it is easily to explore and to put in practice psychoanalytic treatment of children. For example, the alliance with the parents during the course of their child’s psychoanalytic treatment is very important nowadays.
1954- The Nature of Prejudice by Gordon Allport
This publication helps to understand the nature of prejudice, one of the actual problems in modern society. It offers different ways to reduce prejudice in our society, racial and religious, sexual and economic. That is why this book is very useful for the present day psychologists who try to find ways to reduce prejudice in our society.
2000- DSM on PDA
This publication is closely connected with modern ways of treatment of mental disorder as it gives standard criteria to classify mental disorders. This publication is used not only in the USA but also in other countries of the world.
KEY EVENTS
1883- First American Psychology laboratory
First American psychology laboratory gave the opportunity to carry out different experiments which influenced further development of psychology. Nowadays there are a lot of psychology laboratories where different experiments in psychology are held by the specialists.
1896- First Psychology Clinic
The first psychology clinic was opened by Lightner Witmer whose experiments in psychology were put into practice. This was one of the first and major steps for the further development of psychology in practice. Nowadays there are a lot of psychology clinics which help the patience to improve their psychological state.
1973- Homosexuality removed from DSM
In 1973, homosexuality was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This issue is closely connected with the present day situation in our society when in some states it is allowed to have homosexual relations, and even marriages.
1987- Homeless Assistance act passed
This event played an important role because a great number of homeless people who required assistance had the opportunity to improve their health. Today, this act is also legal and it provides mental health services for the homeless people.
2000- Sequencing of the Human Genome
This event plays an important role in the present day development of the medicine. Decoding of the DNA helps to define the causation of different diseases and the close relations between the environment and the heredity. Nowadays this issue is exploring by the specialists all over the world.
APPROACHES AND PERSPECTIVES
1896- Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalytic approach of Sigmund Freud made it possible to develop an effective therapy the main principles of which are used by the present day specialists. The term psychoanalysis is known all over the world.
1954- Humanistic Psychology
This psychological perspective is based on the phenomenological and existentialist philosophies. Humanistic psychology is closely connected with many present day methods of treatment. Different approaches of humanistic psychology include counseling and therapy which are rather effective.
1954- Psychopharmocology
Psychopharmocology helps to improve psychological state of many patients who have different mental illnesses. It is known that the first drug used for effective treatment was Doriden. Nowadays psychopharmocology offers a wide range of psychoactive drugs which guarantee positive results in treatment of patients who suffer mental illnesses.
1976- Evolutionary Psychology
The development of the evolutionary psychology which examines such psychological traits as language, memory and perception of an individual gives opportunity to study human behavior. This biological approach requires certain knowledge of evolutionary biology and philosophy of mind and science. Evolutionary psychology is connected with moral psychology and influences our society and culture as human behavior and emotions play an important role in any society.
1990- Cultural Psychology
Cultural psychology is an approach which is based on the idea that culture and mind are two inseparable notions. This approach explores the impact of culture, cultural traditions on the human mind and psychological state. This approach helps to understand cultural differences between different nations. Nowadays this approach plays an important role in the development of the cultural communication between nations. Cultural psychology helps to unite people from all over the world what is very important for the present day situation in the world. It will help to avoid war actions and to provide successful cross-cultural communication.