Ch 1 What is Psychology?

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON1

PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

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Heads up!Before we begin …

You will be learning A LOT of new terms and words in this class.

At the beginning of each chapter is a list of Key Terms. You will be expected to KNOW these terms for the chapter test.

As we proceed in class - make notes of new terms that we discuss AND their definitions & examples!

Plain & simple – You will have to memorize these terms …. AND the people that we will learn about.



Chapter 1WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY

Section 1: Why Study Psychology?Section 2: What Psychologists DoSection 3: A History of PsychologySection 4: Contemporary Perspectives



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Section Reading Questions1. What are the goals of psychology, and how is

psychology a science?2. What do psychologists do, and what are their areas of

specialization?3. How has the study of psychology developed over time?4. What are the seven main contemporary perspectives in

psychology?



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Section 1: Why study psychology? Why did you take this class? What is psychology? Do you know?

“…the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.”

How? Observe and measure. COGNITION (another word you will

see is cognitive) thought processes emotions



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Question: What are the goals of psychology?

Psychologists have the same goals as scientists. Observe Describe behavior Explain Predict Control

Section 1: Why Study Psychology?



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Question: How is psychology a science?

Section 1: Why Study Psychology?

Psychology is a social science. History, anthropology, economics, political science,

sociology …all deal with the structure of human society and the

nature of the individuals But is this REAL science like biology or

chemistry? …. answer questions by applying the steps involved in

scientific research … conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing

data, drawing conclusions Research

Surveys and experiments



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Section 2: What do psychologists do?

Psychologists accept that something is true ONLY if the evidence shows it is so. Some are interested in RESEARCH – investigating and

forming theories – and finally testing those theories Others apply knowledge through THERAPY to help people. And finally there are those who TEACH in classrooms and

workshops.



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Question: What are their areas of specialization?

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION Clinical – the largest group – treat psychological problems Counseling – treat adjustment problems School – deal with students who have problems that

interfere with learning Educational Psychologist – focus on course planning and

instructional methods

Section 2: What Psychologists Do



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Personality Psychologist – identify characteristics or traits

Social Psychologist – concerned with people’s behavior in social situations

Experimental Psychologist – conduct research into basic processes


AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (continued)



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Industrial and Organizational Psychologist – focus on people in work and business

Environmental Psychologist – focus on ways in which people influence and are influenced by physical environment

Consumer Psychologist – study the behavior of shoppers to explain and predict behavior





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Forensic Psychologist – are concerned with how psychological problems give rise to criminal behavior

Health Psychologist – study the ways in which behavior and mental processes are related to physical health





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Psychology Today: Psychology as a Profession

Section 3: A History of Psychology



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Psychology Today: Where are psychologists employed?




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Question: How has the study of psychology developed over time?


Psychology is as old as

human history.



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Roots from Ancient Greece

Socrates (469-399 CE) “Know thyself.” Learn about yourself through

self-examination ~ introspection

Aristotle (384-322 CE) Human behavior is subject to

certain rules and laws.

…really began with ancient philosphy.



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The ancient Greeks theorized about various psychological problems.

…believed that the gods punished people by causing them confusion and madness.

Hippocrates (460-377 CE) …caused by abnormalities in

the brain



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The Middle Ages …believed that agitation and

confusion were signs of possession by demons

…punishment for sins or deals made with the devil

Tests were used to determine if a person was possessed.



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The birth of modern science

In the mid 16th century, Copernicus looked to the skies and Versalius wrote about the workings of the human body – est. the basis for modern science.

…leading to the birth of modern psychology in the 1800s.

…ideas about human behavior and mental processes should be supported by EVIDENCE.



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Wilhelm Wundt and the School of Structuralism

1879~first formal psychological laboratory in the world (Leipzig)

…founded structuralism the study of the elements of

consciousness what was it? What was it

made of? What was its structure??



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William James and the School of Functionalism

… how mental processes help organisms adapt to their environment – what were their functions??

The Principles of Psychology (1890) considered by many as the first modern psychology textbook



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John B. Watson and the School of Behaviorism

…believed that it is unscientific to study consciousness

claimed that psychology was not concerned with the mind or with human consciousness

…study should be limited to observable, measurable events – BEHAVIOR humans could be studied objectively, like

rats and apes Defined psychology as the scientific

study of observable behavior.



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B.F. Skinner and Reinforcement

…when an animal is reinforced (rewarded), for performing an action, it is more likely to perform that action again in the future

…people learn the same way animals do People learn to behave in certain ways because

they have been reinforced for doing so.



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The Gestalt School

…context influences people’s interpretation of information

…much learning, especially problem solving, is accomplished by insight, not by mechanical repetition



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Sigmund Freud and the School of Psychoanalysis

…emphasizes the importance of unconscious motives and internal conflicts in determining human behavior

…most of what fills an individual’s mind is unconscious and consists of conflicting impulses, urges, and wishes

People’s behavior is aimed at satisfying these impulses – even though some may be socially inappropriate or unacceptable

People often fool themselves about the real motives for their behavior.



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Question: What are the seven main contemporary perspectives in psychology?

Each perspective emphasizes different topics of investigation and has different approaches.

Section 4: Contemporary Perspectives



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Question: What are the seven main contemporary perspectives in psychology?

Biological – nervous system, glands, hormones, genetic factors Evolutionary – physical traits, social behavior Cognitive – interpretation of mental images, thinking,

language Humanistic – self-concept Psychoanalytic – environmental influences, learning,

observational learning Learning – effects of experience on behavior Sociocultural – ethnicity, gender, culture, socioeconomic status




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Main topic


Ch 1 What is Psychology?

Education

Transcript of Ch 1 What is Psychology?