Post on 10-Jan-2016
What is Psychology?What is Psychology?Chapter One
WHY STUDY WHY STUDY PSYCHOLOGY?PSYCHOLOGY?
Section One
Definition:Definition:The study of behaviors and
cognitive activities
Look at it like a math problem:◦Thoughts + Actions = Psychology
Goals of PsychologyGoals of Psychology
1. Observe: look at what’s happening2. Describe: explain your
observations3. Explain: why did this happen4. Predict: what made this happen5. Control: decide when to let it
happen again
Try it out!
Psychology is a social Psychology is a social AND a natural science.AND a natural science.
Concerned with the nature of the physical world; conduct research
Examples◦ Biology◦ Chemistry◦ Physics
Deals with the structure of human society and the people in society
Examples◦ History◦ Political Science◦ Sociology
WHAT WHAT PSYCHOLOGISTS DOPSYCHOLOGISTS DO
Section Two
All Psychologists:All Psychologists:Are interested in behavior
Believe research is important
Say something is true ONLY when proven
PsychiatristsPsychiatristsAre medical doctors (MDs)
who have gone through medical school and simply specialized in psychiatric treatment
Prescribe medications
Types of PsychologistsTypes of PsychologistsClinical: the largest group, evaluate
problems through interviews and tests; treat psychological disorders
Counseling: use interviews and tests; deal with adjustment problems
School: identify and help students who have problems that interfere with learning
Educational: focus on course planning and instructional methods
Developmental: study changes through a life span (physical, emotional, cognitive, and social)
Personality: identify characteristics and traits
Social: concerned with people’s behavior in social situations
Experimental: conduct researchIndustrial & Organizational:
focus on people and work
Environmental: look at how people influence and are influenced by their surroundings
Consumer: explain and predict a shopper’s behavior
Forensic: work with the criminal justice system
Health: look at how mental processes and behavior are related to one’s health
Sections 1 and 2 ReviewSections 1 and 2 Review
Use the books from 2004; answer on a half sheet of paperAnswer #1 on page 6Answer #3 on page 11Answer #1 on page 22 (Understanding Main Ideas)Write a one paragraph response to the video—include the purpose of a forensic psychologist and your opinion of the one in our video.
A HISTORY OF A HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGYPSYCHOLOGY
Section Three
Ancient GreeceAncient GreeceA quick video on why this part is i
mportant!Socrates and Plato (400 BC – 350
BC)◦Motto: know thyself◦Introspection~ looking within
Hippocrates (400 BC)◦Ancient physician◦Believed confusion and madness
were caused by brain abnormalities
Middle AgesMiddle AgesAny problems meant a person
was possessed
Modern ScienceModern ScienceModern psychology began
in the 1800s◦Became a lab science in 1879
William Wundt / Structuralism◦Conscious experiences are
stressed◦Looks at both objective
(sights and sounds) and subjective (feelings and thoughts)
William James / Functionalism◦How thoughts help us adapt◦Successful actions are
repeated and eventually become habits
John Watson / Behaviorism◦Observable behavior only
BF Skinner / Reinforcement◦Rewarded behaviors will
be repeated
Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, and Wolfgang Kohler / Gestalt◦Perceptions of an item
are more than the sum of its parts
Sigmund Freud / Psychoanalysis◦Emphasizes unconscious
motives and internal conflicts◦Id = basic drives◦Ego = reality principle◦Superego = moral principle
BiographyPart TwoPart Three
CONTEMPORARY CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVESPERSPECTIVES
Section Four
Something described as contemporary is new
A perspective is a view of a topic
We’re going to make a visual aid to help us remember these. Begin by tracing your hand on a piece of paper.
Biological: the influence of our bodies on our behavior; especially focus on the brain◦This is your pinky finger—just like the
cartoon Pinky and the Brain!
Cognitive: emphasizes one’s thoughts in determining behavior; looks at the various ways we process information◦When we’re thinking, sometimes we
point to our temple, so this is your pointer finger.
Humanistic: stresses our capacity for self-awareness and self-fulfillment; we “invent” ourselves◦Place your hand, palm down, on the
desk. Lift all your fingers. It’s most difficult to lift our ring finger. This reflects we’re all human, and have to work hard to reach our potential.
Psychoanalytic: our unconscious influences behavior; focus on conscious choice and self direction◦This is our thumb. If you point your
thumb behind you, it’s towards your past experiences.
Learning: the effect of experience on behavior◦How do we know what the middle
finger means? We learned it!
Socio-cultural: includes issues of ethnicity, gender, culture, and socio-economic background◦If we stretched out our arms and gave
ourselves a big hug, we are accepting our differences. This is represented by our palm.
Evolutionary: organisms survive and transmit adaptive genes to future generations◦Draw a 6th finger to represent future
changes.