In general terms, psychology can be defined as the study of behavior and mental processes. 'Contemporary psychology' refers more specifically to the development of new ideas and approaches to the field since the 1960s. It is also commonly referred to as 'modern psychology'.
According to About.com, contemporary approaches to psychology look at many aspects of the human experience, ranging from the biological influences on human behavior to the impact of social and cultural factors.
Modern psychology can be viewed as distinct and different from previous psychological work, because it is commonplace for the results of earlier studies and findings to be challenged and disputed. Previous findings related to the causes and effects of certain behavioral conditions, are often argued to be outdated and incorrect, based on the approach taken in the modern era, compared to the time prior to 'contemporary psychology'.
Notable landmarks in the study of psychology from the 20th century onwards include:
• 1906 - Ivan Pavlov publishes his studies on 'classical conditioning'
• 1912 - Edward Thorndike's 'Animal Intelligence' leads to development of the theory of operant conditioning
• 1915 - Sigmund Freud publishes his theories on repression
• 1920 - John B Watson and Rosalie Rayner publish their research about the classical conditioning of fear with their subject, Little Albert
• 1958 - Harry Harlow publishes The Nature of Love, outlining his experiments with rhesus monkeys and how his findings relate to the importance of love and attachment
• 1963 - Albert Bandura describes for the first time the concept of observational learning to help explain personality development.
According to About.com, contemporary approaches to psychology look at many aspects of the human experience, ranging from the biological influences on human behavior to the impact of social and cultural factors.
Modern psychology can be viewed as distinct and different from previous psychological work, because it is commonplace for the results of earlier studies and findings to be challenged and disputed. Previous findings related to the causes and effects of certain behavioral conditions, are often argued to be outdated and incorrect, based on the approach taken in the modern era, compared to the time prior to 'contemporary psychology'.
Notable landmarks in the study of psychology from the 20th century onwards include:
• 1906 - Ivan Pavlov publishes his studies on 'classical conditioning'
• 1912 - Edward Thorndike's 'Animal Intelligence' leads to development of the theory of operant conditioning
• 1915 - Sigmund Freud publishes his theories on repression
• 1920 - John B Watson and Rosalie Rayner publish their research about the classical conditioning of fear with their subject, Little Albert
• 1958 - Harry Harlow publishes The Nature of Love, outlining his experiments with rhesus monkeys and how his findings relate to the importance of love and attachment
• 1963 - Albert Bandura describes for the first time the concept of observational learning to help explain personality development.
