Hjw & aah chapter 1 slides shared

Chapter 1What is Psychology?

Chapter 1What is Psychology?

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Chapter 1What is Psychology?

Quick Write #1

Answer the following questions:

1. What is psychology?

2. Is psychology a science?

Psychology: Defined

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

• Science: The use of systematic methods to observe, describe, predict, and explain behavior.

• Behavior: Everything we do that can be directly observed.

• Mental Processes: The thoughts, feelings, and motives that each of us experience privately but that cannot be observed directly.

Psychology and Common Sense

Is psychology simply common sense?

• Sometimes yes, but sometimes no…

Unexpected Findings

• Exercise: How would you respond?

• [Amy - we should come up with situations and ask

how they would respond and then show how they

are inconsistent with research as said below in the

notes]

True or False? People dream on average around 5-6 times a night.

Dogs dream.

Psychiatrists attend medical school the same as your family physician or a surgeon.

Psychology stemmed from the area of biology.

You are more likely to receive help if there are 2 people around rather than if there are 20 people around.

You would value receiving $10 for helping a neighbor clean out their garage versus getting $10 for doing nothing.

Adults in their sixties start to decline in their interest in sex.

Psychology is all about making people feel better.

Living together before marriage will result in a better marriage.

Intelligence is inherited

Freud

Sigmund Freud 1856 - 1939

People often think of Freud when they think of psychology.

Freud believed that most of human behavior is caused by dark, unpleasant, unconscious impulses that are driving all of our actions.

The study of psychology disorders is an important part of psychology, but it is only one small part of the science of psychology.

Positive Psychology

Psychology has traditionally focused on the negative aspects of human experience, but the discipline is concerned with much more than disordered behavior!

Positive Psychology Movement• Experiences people value• Traits associated with optimal functioning• Positive group and civic values

Historical Approaches

Western Philosophy

Biology and Physiology

Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) First Psychology Laboratory (1879)

established at the University of Leipzig

Structuralism Wundt: An early school of psychology that

attempted to identify the structures of the human mind

Wundt is often regarded as the founding father of modern psychology

Research described dimensions of feeling:• Pleasure / Displeasure• Tension / Relaxation• Excitement / Depression

Methodology: Introspection

Functionalism William James and Pragmatism

• Identify the functions of the mind• Pragmatism: to find out the meaning of an

idea, must determine its consequences.

Focused on interactions with environment

Adaptive significance: “Why?”• How it makes an organism better able to

survive

If structuralism is about the “what” of the mind,

functionalism is about the “why.”

James saw the mind as flexible and fluid and believed the mind is characterized by constant change in response to a continuous flow of information from the world. He called this natural flow of thought a…

“stream of consciousness”

Psychology and Evolution

Charles Darwin (1859)

Natural Selection: Survival of the Most Fit• There exists a constant struggle for resources• Nature will favor those traits that promote

reproduction and survival• Environmental changes alter evolution’s

course

Why Darwin’s theory continues to influence psychologists today…

“Survival of the fittest”www.darwinawards.com

Contemporary Approaches

Seven Current Psychological Perspectives

1. Biological 2. Behavioral3. Psychodynamic 4. Humanistic 5. Cognitive 6. Evolutionary 7. Sociocultural

The Biological Approach

Focuses on the brain and nervous system• Central to understanding behavior,

thought, and emotion

Neuroscience• Structure, function, development,

genetics, biochemistry of the nervous system

• What does neuroscience emphasize?

Chapter 3: Biological Foundations of Behavior

The Behavioral Approach

Focuses on the environmental determinants of observable behavior

Notable Behaviorists:• John Watson, B.F. Skinner

Early conflicts with cognitive psychologists• But not every behaviorist today rejects cognition

completely

Chapter 7: Learning

The Psychodynamic Approach

Emphasizes unconscious thought, conflict between internal drives and society, as well as early family experiences• All influence behavior, thought, and emotion

Notable Psychodynamic Theorists• Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, Alfred Adler

Psychoanalysis

Chapter 11: Personality

The Humanistic Approach

Focuses on positive human qualities, capacity for self-actualization, free will• Refute that humans are driven by unconscious

impulses (psychodynamic) or external rewards (behaviorism). People can choose to live by higher human values (altruism, free will)

Notable Humanistic Theorists• Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow

Chapter 11: Personality

The Cognitive Approach Emphasizes the importance of mental processes to

problem solving, learning and memory

Mental processes control behavior through memories, perceptions, and thinking

Chapter 9: Thinking, Language, and Intelligence

The Evolutionary Approach Emphasizes the relevance of evolutionary theory to

all behavior and mental processes• Just as evolution shapes our physical features, it also influences

our decision making, level of aggressiveness, fears and mating patterns.

Notable Evolutionary Psychologists• David Buss, Leda Cosmides, John Tooby

Chapter 3: Biological Foundations of Behavior

The Sociocultural Approach Examines how social and cultural

environments influence behavior and mental processes• In contrast to the evolutionary approach

Studies differences between ethnic and cultural groups within a country

Chapter 12: Social Psychology

Contemporary Approaches

Seven Current Psychological Perspectives

1. Biological2. Behavioral3. Psychodynamic4. Humanistic5. Cognitive6. Evolutionary7. Sociocultural

Critical Controversy: Altruism

Altruism Defined• Voluntary behavior intended to help others• Not motivated by expectation of personal gain

Altruism: The Evolutionary Approach• Kin selection• Reciprocity

Altruism: The Sociocultural Approach• If culture teaches us to be kind without regard

for our own gain, then we can become true altruists

Critical Controversy: Altruism Are people ever truly altruistic? Or

are they operating according to selfish motives?

Have you ever acted in a genuinely altruistic fashion? If so, when and how? Could your behavior be explained instead by theories of kin selection?

Areas of Specialization Physiological Psychology: studies physical

processes that underlie mental processes.

Behavioral Neuroscience : studies how the brain affects behavior.

Developmental Psychology: studies how individuals change from birth through death.

Sensation and Perception: studies the physical systems and psychological processes that allow individuals to experience the world.

Areas of Specialization Cognitive Psychology: studies attention,

consciousness, information processing and memory.

Learning: studies the ways in which behavior changes to adapt to changing circumstances.

Motivation and Emotion: studies the ways in which individuals attain goals and how rewards affect the experience of motivation.

Personality Psychology: studies enduring characteristics of individuals (personality)

Social Psychology: studies people’s social interactions, relationships, attitudes.

Applications Industrial and Organizational

Psychology: focuses on the workplace, both the workers themselves and the company they work for.

Clinical and Counseling Psychology: diagnose and treat people with psychological problems.

Health Psychology: emphasizes psychological factors, lifestyle and the nature of the healthcare delivery system.

Applications Community Psychology: focuses on accessible

care for people with psychological problems. School and Educational Psychology:

primarily concerned with children’s learning and adjustment in school.

Environmental Psychology: study of interactions between people and physical environment.

Psychology of Women: focuses on psychological, social and cultural influences on women’s development and behavior.

Applications Forensic Psychology: applies

psychological concepts to the legal system.

Sport Psychology: applies psychology’s principles to improving sport performance and enjoying sports participation.

Cross-Cultural Psychology: focuses on culture’s role in understanding behavior, thought, and emotion.

Careers in Psychology What do psychologists do? And where?

• Business• Social and Human Services• Research• Education• Clinical and Private Practice Settings

Careers in Psychology

Careers in Psychology• Education (from the National Association of School Psychologists)

• Work with students• Provide counseling, instruction, and mentoring for those struggling with

social, emotional, and behavioral problems• Increase achievement by assessing barriers to learning and determining the

best instructional strategies to improve learning • Promote wellness and resilience by reinforcing communication and social

skills, problem solving, anger management, self-regulation, self-determination, and optimism

• Enhance understanding and acceptance of diverse cultures and backgrounds

• Work with families• Identify and address learning and behavior problems that interfere

with school success • Evaluate eligibility for special education services (within a

multidisciplinary team) • Support students' social, emotional, and behavioral health • Teach parenting skills and enhance home–school collaboration• Make referrals and help coordinate community support services

• Work with educators, administrators & the community

Careers in Psychology• Clinical Settings

• assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders.

• some specialize in treating severe psychological disorders, such as schizophrenia and depression

• many others may help people deal with personal issues, such as divorce or the death of a loved one

• often provide an opportunity to talk and think about things that are confusing or worrying, offering different ways of interpreting and understanding problems and situations

• trained to use a variety of approaches aimed at helping individuals• strategies used are generally determined by the specialty they work

in

• Private Practice Settings (from the U.S. Dept. of Labor)

• interview patients• give diagnostic tests• provide individual, family, or group psychotherapy• design and implement behavior modification programs

Careers in Psychology

Intersection: Culture and Emotion

Individualistic Cultures: emphasize the uniqueness of each individual and his/her thoughts, feelings, and choices.• Independent sense of self• Personal happiness• Higher suicide rates• Marital happiness/more divorce

Intersection: Culture and Emotion

Collectivistic Cultures: emphasize the social group and the roles the individual plays in that larger group.• Interdependent sense of self• Sacrifice personal happiness• Duty

Psychology: Health and Wellness

Psychology is concerned with Mind-Body connections

How the mind impacts the body: the way you think and feel impacts the healthy state of your body.• Examples?

How the body impacts the mind: the way you treat your body affects your thinking.• Examples?

Chapter Summary Explain what psychology is and describe the

positive psychology movement. Discuss the roots and early scientific

foundations of psychology. Summarize the main themes of seven

approaches to psychology. Evaluate areas of specialization and careers in

psychology. Describe the connections between the mind

and the body.

Chapter Summary Defining Psychology

• The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Historical Foundations of Psychology• Origins in philosophy and physiology• Structuralism – Wilhelm Wundt• Functionalism – William James• Evolutionary Theory – Charles Darwin

Chapter Summary Contemporary Approaches to Psychology

• Seven current approaches – complementary Specializations and Careers in Psychology

• Business, social and human services, research• Education, research, clinics and private practice

Application: Health and Wellness• The mind-body connection is a “two-way street”