Introduction to Psychology. What is psychology? Scientific study of (human) behaviour Psychology (today) is an enterprise that is just as scientific as.
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Introduction to Psychology
What is psychology?Scientific study of (human) behaviourPsychology (today) is an enterprise that is just as
scientific as physics or chemistry.
History of Human Knowledge
1. Metaphysical Systems: Attributing behaviour or
experiences to nonphysical forces such as spirits or deities
Violates scientists’ established physical laws
Examples of Metaphysical Systems
A. Animism Belief that natural phenomena are
alive and influence behaviour Possession of animal parts endows
the owner with psychological aspects of the animal
Wind, sun, and rain have temperaments
Plato – “the universe is alive and has a soul” Aristotle – gravity reflects the desire of physical
objects to return to mother earth
Metaphysical Systems (cont’d)B. Mythology and religion
• Deities of spiritual rather than physical existence
• More sophisticated explanations than animism
• Non-physical forces influence behaviour
• Important: science can’t determine whether right or wrong – just different than science Difference set of assumptions Both attempt to explain behaviour
Metaphysical Systems (cont’d)
C. Astrology Human behaviour is determined by the activity of
celestial bodies Relegated to mere entertainment
History (cont’d)
2. Philosophy• Study of knowledge and
behaviour through logic, intuition, and observation
• Early philosophers were influenced by the metaphysical Descartes accepted notion that
nerves were hollow tubes that “animal spirits” were carried through
Philosophy (cont’d)
Among contemporary philosophers, finding authority at the base of a theory was a sign of weakness
Empiricism (Aristotle, Descartes) holds that the best was to learn about the world is to make observations. Later became core assumption of scientific
method
History (cont’d)
3. Physiology and Physical Sciences• Study of the functions of the interrelations
between different parts of the brain and body• The scientific method is used in physiology• Volta, using a battery and freshly severed
frog leg, was able to discover more about basic physiology than any amount of reasoning ever could.
• Physiologists taught psychologists the value of careful, systematic experimentation through
observation.
History (cont’d)
4. Experimental Psychology Most historians believe that experimental
psychology began in Germany in the mid- to late 1800s
Fechner, von Helmholtz, Weber, and Wundt all played an important role in the birth of psychology.
Psychology’s Roots
Prescientific Psychology Is the mind
connected to the body or distinct?
Are ideas inborn or is the mind a blank slate filled by experience?
Psychology’s Roots
Psychology’s Roots
scientific Psychology Empiricism
knowledge comes from experience via the senses
science flourishes through observation and experiment
Psychology’s Roots
Wilhelm Wundt opened the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig (c. 1879).
Father of Psychology.
Psychology’s Roots
Structuralism used introspection (looking in) to explore the elemental structure of the human mind
Psychology’s Roots
Functionalism focused on how behavioral processes function—how they enable organism to adapt, survive, and flourish
Psychology’s Roots
Figure 1- British Psychological Society membership
Psychology’s Roots
Definition of Psychology The science of behavior (what we do) and mental processes (sensations, perceptions, dreams, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings)
Definition of PsychologyDerived from two Greek words-
psyche: mind, soul or spirit.logos : knowledge or studyPut together- Study of the mind (Rudolf Geockle)1590.
*Psychology is defined as the scientific study of behaviour and mental process.
Mind and body relationship
Mind and body connected. (Early History)
Mind and body not connected. (later)Mind and body connected. (Present
day)Psychosomatic diseaeses.Mental disorders arise from physical
ones and likewise physical disorders arise from mental ones. (Mahabharatha)
Contemporary Psychology
Psychology’s Big Issues Nature-nurture controversy
the relative contribution that genes and experience make to development of psychological traits and behaviors
Contemporary Psychology
Natural selection principle that
those inherited trait variations contributing to survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations
Contemporary Psychology
Contemporary Psychology
Psychology’s Perspectives A lot depends on your point of
view
Contemporary Psychology
Psychology’s Subfields Basic Research
biological psychologists explore the links between brain and mind
developmental psychologists study changing abilities from womb to tomb
cognitive psychologists study how we perceive, think, and solve problems
Contemporary Psychology
Psychology’s Subfields Basic Research
Personality psychologists investigate our persistent traits
Social psychologists explore how we view and affect one another
Contemporary Psychology
Psychology’s Subfields Applied Research
Industrial/organizational psychologists study and advise on behavior in the workplace
Clinical psychologists study, assess, and treat people with psychological disorders
Contemporary Psychology
Psychiatry A branch of medicine dealing with
psychological disorders Practiced by physicians who
sometimes use medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychotherapy
Behaviourism
Emphasised that conditioned reflexes were the elements and not sensation that constitute the behaviour.
Conditioned reflexes are simple learned responses to stimuli.
Stimulus and environment determines behaviour.
Humanistic
Psychology which focuses upon the development of self it is called humanistic .
It focus on the persons subjective experiences, freedom of choice and motivation towards self actualization
Humanist believe that behaviour is controlled by our own free will and not by the unconscious or the environment.
Psychoanalitic
Founded by Sigmund Freud.Emphasis on unconscious motivation.Personality based on Id, ego and
super ego.
Sigmund FreudPsychoanalytic Theory
Ψ Freud explained behaviour by his theory of personality (Psychoanalytic Theory) and developed a treatment for abnormal behaviour called Psychoanalysis.
Ψ The theory explains human development in terms of an innate drive (something we are born with e.g. pleasure) and early experience (the extent to which the desires were gratified)
Structure of the Freudian Personality
Ψ Freud assumed that the mind is divided into 3 parts: Id, Ego and Superego
Cognitive
Emphasis on the prosses of the mind such as memory, problem solving, decision making etc.
Deals with conscious process.
Behaviour and Mind
Both work together.Behaviour : Motor activities. Eg.
Walking, running, dancing speaking. : Cognitive activities. Eg.
Remembering, thinking, reasoning, perception.
: Emotional activities. Eg. Happy, sad, angry, anxious, fear.
Scope of Psychology :
1. Clinical Psychology.2. Counseling Psychology.3. Social Psychology.4. Experimental Psychology.5. Developmental Psychology.6. Abnormal Psychology.7. Community Psychology.8. Educational Psychology.9. Industrial Psychology.10. Political Psychology.11. Military Psychology.12. Legal Psychology.
Methods of Psychology:* Introspection or Self Observation Method* Observation Method or Systemic Method* Experimental method* Survey or Inventory Method* Test Method* Case History or Clinical Method
* Genetic or Developmental Method.
Professions in Psychology :
* Forensic Psychologist* Sports Psychologist* Counseling Psychologist* Clinical Psychologist* Industrial/ Occupational Psychologist* Educational Psychologist
Relevance of Psychology
Helps to understand self and othersHelps in interaction with othersGreater understanding of emotions
and its connection to illness. Psychosomatic diseases.Helps to manage your own behaviour
and feelings.
THANK YOU
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