The foundations of modern psychology trace back to ancient Greek physicians and philosophers who shaped our understanding of human behavior and mental processes.
Hippocrates made groundbreaking contributions to medicine and psychology by proposing that mental illness had natural rather than supernatural causes. His famous Hippocratic Oath established ethical principles still relevant in medical practice today. He developed the theory of four humors (blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile) to explain personality differences and psychological disorders. Building on this work, Galen expanded medical knowledge through systematic observation and dissection, though his access was limited to animals. His detailed writings on anatomy and physiology remained influential for over 1000 years.
The scientific foundations of psychology emerged more formally in the late 1800s, as documented in AP Psychology Unit 1 materials. Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in 1879, marking psychology's beginning as an experimental science. The field then developed through various schools of thought including Structuralism, Functionalism, Behaviorism, Gestalt Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Humanistic Psychology, and Cognitive Psychology. Modern psychology integrates these perspectives while emphasizing scientific methods and empirical research. Key approaches include biological, behavioral, cognitive, psychodynamic, humanistic and sociocultural viewpoints. Students studying Historical Background of Psychology for AP Students learn how these different approaches complement each other in understanding human behavior. The scientific method, research designs, ethical guidelines, and statistical analysis form the core methodological foundations covered in Unit 1: Scientific Foundations of Psychology. This includes understanding variables, sampling methods, descriptive and inferential statistics, and research validity. Psychology's dual nature as both a natural and social science is emphasized, along with its applications across many fields including medicine, education, business and law.