AP Psychology

What is Psychology?

• The study of behavior and the mental/physical processes that make it happen

• Focus of this class: Human behavior

• Different areas of psychology focus on different areas of behavior

Example: Earworms

• According to research, up to 90% of people studied report having a song that gets stuck in their head (Williamson, Goldsmith’s College, 2012). The term used to describe this phenomena is earworms.

• Earworms are linked to recent exposure to the song, as well as stress, visual and/or audio cues, or by hearing a certain word.

• People generally find the experience unpleasant (Williamson, ibid).

Application

• Interrogators at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba terrorist detention center specialize in playing music that is designed to break the will of the prisoners (“Welcome to ‘the disco,’” The Guardian, 6/18/08).

• Selections include “We Are the Champions”, “Enter Sandman”, “Born in the USA”, and the Meow Mix commercial.

• The selections collectively are known as “futility music.”

• Most used song is…

Goals of Psychology

1. Observe and describe behavior

2. Explain the behavior through hypothesis (“educated guess”)

3. Predict future behavior based on past results

4. Use acquired knowledge to solve issues

Assignment (50 points) Due 03/15/2013

• Create a montage that in your mind shows the difference between normal/abnormal behavior.

• One side normal, other side abnormal.• Be prepared to explain why you put the images where you did.• No fewer than fifteen images a side, very little background

should show• Grading:15 pts: following format25 pts: creativity5: use of time5: oral presentation

Psychology and the Scientific Method

• Psychology is a science. Therefore it employs the scientific method.

1. Observation: Watch the behavior occur Issue: Hawthorne Effect2. Hypothesis a. null b. experimental

Scientific method, cont.

3. Results

4. Conclusions

5. Theory

Origins of PsychologyA. Ancient Greeks: humans are rational beings- Used observation as primary method to explain behavior- The formal study of psychology did not begin until 19th CenturyB. Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920): Father of modern psychology.- Wrote Principles of Physiological Psychology (1874), where he meant to

“mark out a new domain of science.” Proponent of structuralism: breaking down what was to be studied into

its most basic partsWundt’s students help develop Psychology departments at Stanford,

Harvard, and Yale.C. G. Stanley Hall (1846-1924): Establish first psychology lab in the U.S.

(Johns Hopkins), and first psychology journal.Founded American Psychological Association

Origins, cont.

D. William James: One of the first American psychologists. Believed that mental processes helped the human species survive. Founder of functionalist school

D. Sir Francis Drake: Behavior is inherited.E. Gestalt: German school of thought that focused on how

individual sensations form complete patternsF. Psychoanalytic (Sigmund Freud): Behavior dominated by

unconscious urges that drive outward behavior- Believed that people are truly unpleasant- Dream interpretation- Free association

Structuralism v. Functionalism

Issue: What is more important: investigating the basic elements of psychology (Structuralism), or its purpose (Functionalism)?

For Structuralism: Edward TitchenerFor Functionalism: William James

Although both schools have faded away, Functionalism influenced behaviorism and applied psychology

Behaviorism

School of thought that psychology should only concern itself on what can be objectively observed.

A. John Watson: Is our behavior based on nature (genetics) or nurture (environment)?

Watson: Nurture

B. B.F. Skinner: Continued Watson’s ideas, openly questioned concept of free will. Believed that behavior is shaped by consequences.

Humanism

• Emphasis on the uniqueness of humans, and their capabilities for positive growth.

• Spearheaded by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow (Hierarchy of Needs).

Psychologist v. Psychiatrist• Psychologist:- Has a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D)- Cannot prescribe medication (generally, Louisiana and New Mexico are

exceptions)- Often looks to solve mental health issues through counseling/non-medical

means- Currently, seven states (including Hawaii and Utah) are considering

legislation allowing psychologists prescription rights (AMA News, 3/11) Psychiatrist:- Has a medical degree (M.D.)- Can prescribe medication- Often sees patients with severe mental-health issues- Often looks to solve mental health problems through medical means

Other Mental Health Careers

• Psychiatric Nurse (RN)

• Substance Abuse Counselor

• Psychometrist

• School Psychologist (M.S./M.A.)