The Discipline of Psychology-Intro Unit 1 What is Psychology? What is Psychology? Why do we study Psychology? Why do we study Psychology? Why is Psychology.

The Discipline of The Discipline of Psychology-IntroPsychology-Intro

Unit 1Unit 1

•What is Psychology?What is Psychology?•Why do we study Psychology?Why do we study Psychology?•Why is Psychology considered a science?Why is Psychology considered a science?•How did Psychology Begin?How did Psychology Begin?•The history of Psychology.The history of Psychology.

PsychologyPsychology

The scientific study of behavior The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.and mental processes.

BehaviorBehavior

Observable and measurable Observable and measurable actions of people and animals.actions of people and animals.

Cognitive ActivitiesCognitive Activities

Private, unobservable mental Private, unobservable mental processes such as sensation, processes such as sensation,

perception, thought, and problem perception, thought, and problem solving.solving.

NurtureNurture

Rearing, upbringing, training, Rearing, upbringing, training, education, etc.education, etc.

Empirical EvidenceEmpirical Evidence

Relying on or derived from Relying on or derived from observation, experimentation, or observation, experimentation, or

measurement.measurement.

PerspectivePerspective

A way of regarding situations or A way of regarding situations or facts and judging their relative facts and judging their relative

importance.importance.

PsychologyPsychology“Psyche” = Soul/mind “Psyche” = Soul/mind “Logos” = Logic/Science“Logos” = Logic/Science

• The scientific study of behavior and mental The scientific study of behavior and mental processesprocesses– BehaviorsBehaviors – observable actions – observable actions– Mental processesMental processes – cognitive activities, – cognitive activities,

private mental eventsprivate mental events– Cognition/cognitiveCognition/cognitive-Thinking, “the process of -Thinking, “the process of

thought.”thought.”

Why do we study Psychology?Why do we study Psychology?

• You tell me…You tell me…

• List at least List at least three reasonsthree reasons you believe you believe people study behavior and mental people study behavior and mental processes.processes.

The Goals of PsychologyThe Goals of Psychology

• DescriptionDescription of behaviors: Naming and classifying of behaviors: Naming and classifying various observable, measurable behaviorsvarious observable, measurable behaviors

• UnderstandingUnderstanding: The causes of behavior(s): The causes of behavior(s)

• PredictionPrediction: Forecasting behavior accurately: Forecasting behavior accurately

• ControlControl: Altering conditions that influence behaviors: Altering conditions that influence behaviors– To control unwanted behaviors (e.g., smoking, To control unwanted behaviors (e.g., smoking,

tantrums, etc.)tantrums, etc.)

The Big Issues in PsychologyThe Big Issues in Psychology

Nature Vs. NurtureNature Vs. Nurture = The = The biggest issue is the debate biggest issue is the debate over the influence of biology over the influence of biology and the environment.and the environment.• Are we more a product of Are we more a product of

our biological make-up (our our biological make-up (our genetics) . . . genetics) . . .

• Or does our environment Or does our environment and our experiences play the and our experiences play the largest role in determining largest role in determining who we are?who we are?

• Biology vs. ExperienceBiology vs. Experience

• Am I the way I am because I was born Am I the way I am because I was born that way, or because of my that way, or because of my surroundings/environment?surroundings/environment? Can I ever be like these

people, or does nature give me limitations?

Venus and Serena Williams, two sisters, are considered world-class tennis Venus and Serena Williams, two sisters, are considered world-class tennis players. Is their success a result of their similar genes, or evidence of their players. Is their success a result of their similar genes, or evidence of their similar training? similar training?

The Big Issues in PsychologyThe Big Issues in Psychology

• Continuity VS StagesContinuity VS Stages– Does growth and development happen Does growth and development happen

gradually…gradually…– Or in distinct stages?Or in distinct stages?

Psychology is a SciencePsychology is a Science• Psychologists conduct Psychologists conduct experimentsexperiments,, make make observationsobservations,, and seek and seek evidenceevidence..

• The The scientific methodscientific method is is usedused– empirical evidence empirical evidence – –

information gained from information gained from direct observation and direct observation and measurements.measurements.

– used to prove theories or used to prove theories or settle disputes about settle disputes about behavior by collecting behavior by collecting data. data. – observable facts– observable facts

FIGURE 1.5 Psychologists use the logic of science to answer questions about behavior.

Figure 1.1

FIGURE 1.1 Results of an experiment. The graph shows that horn honking by frustrated motorists becomes more likely as air temperature increases. This suggests that physical discomfort is associated with interpersonal hostility. (Data from Kenrick & MacFarlane, 1986.)

A Brief History of PsychologyA Brief History of PsychologyThe Ancients 500BCEThe Ancients 500BCE

• The Ancient Greek The Ancient Greek Philosopher Socrates Philosopher Socrates – “Know Thyself”– “Know Thyself”– Looking withinLooking within

• The Ancient Chinese The Ancient Chinese Philosopher Philosopher Confucius Confucius – “Human – “Human Nature is the Order of Nature is the Order of Heaven”Heaven”

A Brief History of PsychologyA Brief History of PsychologyThe Middle Ages 1000CEThe Middle Ages 1000CE

• Abnormal Behavior = possessed by the Abnormal Behavior = possessed by the devildevil

• Trial by “Ordeal”Trial by “Ordeal”

A Brief History of PsychologyA Brief History of PsychologyThe Birth of Modern Psychology 1879The Birth of Modern Psychology 1879

Wilhelm WundtWilhelm Wundt• ““Father of Psychology”Father of Psychology”• Founded the 1Founded the 1stst psychology lab psychology lab

in Germanyin Germany• Makes it a scienceMakes it a science• Study focused on inner Study focused on inner

sensations and mental sensations and mental processes-processes-consciousnessconsciousness

• Emotional responses and Emotional responses and Mental imagesMental images

PsychoanalysisPsychoanalysisLate 1800’s-early 1900’sLate 1800’s-early 1900’s

• Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud Probably the most famous of early Probably the most famous of early

psychologists. Now part of pop culture.psychologists. Now part of pop culture. Emphasized the importance of Emphasized the importance of unconscious unconscious

motives and internal conflictsmotives and internal conflicts in determining in determining human behavior.human behavior.

Sexual & aggressive urges (hidden impulses)Sexual & aggressive urges (hidden impulses) Freudian slip of the tongue, dream analysis, Freudian slip of the tongue, dream analysis,

etc.etc.

Freud contd.Freud contd.

• Oedipus complexOedipus complex– Castration anxietyCastration anxiety

Freud in pop cultureFreud in pop culture

A Brief History of PsychologyA Brief History of PsychologyBehaviorism 1920Behaviorism 1920

• John B. WatsonJohn B. Watson• Unscientific to study Unscientific to study

thoughtsthoughts• Limit psychology to the Limit psychology to the

study of observable study of observable behaviorsbehaviors

• BehaviorismBehaviorism – scientific – scientific study of observable study of observable behavior.behavior.

BehaviorismBehaviorism

• B.F. SkinnerB.F. Skinner Introduced concept of Introduced concept of reinforcementreinforcement.. If animal is rewarded (reinforced) for If animal is rewarded (reinforced) for

performing a task, the task is more likely to be performing a task, the task is more likely to be performed in the future. performed in the future.

Animals can be taught complex behavior Animals can be taught complex behavior patterns.patterns.

Believed people learn in same way.Believed people learn in same way.

Skinner BoxSkinner Box

A Brief History of PsychologyA Brief History of PsychologyA Few Setbacks 1900-1960A Few Setbacks 1900-1960• Phrenology late 1800’sPhrenology late 1800’s

– Personality traits can be derived from the shape of the skull.Personality traits can be derived from the shape of the skull.– Now considered a pseudoscience.Now considered a pseudoscience.

A Brief History of PsychologyA Brief History of PsychologyA Few Setbacks 1900-1960A Few Setbacks 1900-1960

• Conditions in “Mental Institutions”Conditions in “Mental Institutions”

A Brief History of PsychologyA Brief History of PsychologyA Few Setbacks 1900-1960A Few Setbacks 1900-1960 Lobotomy-cutting nerves in frontal lobe of Lobotomy-cutting nerves in frontal lobe of brain.brain.

Decreased agitation and emotional responseIncreased apathy and passivity Ended with the intro of antipsychotic drugs-Mid 50’s

Psychological specialties (a sample)

• Clinical-help with severe psychological problems of adjustment and change of behavior– Anxiety, depression Drugs, addiction– Disorders Weight issues– Relationships– Psychologists council– Psychiatrists council & prescribe drugs if needed (medical degree)

• Counseling-help with less severe problems– Clarifying goals Adjustment problems– Meeting challenges

• School- Student problems, student centered– Peer group issues Issues interfering with learning– Learning disorders

• Educational-help students learn, school wide/district centered– Instructional methods Standardized tests– Motivation/beliefs Economic factors

Psychological specialties (contd.)

• Developmental-deal with changes during lifespan– Physical Emotional– Cognitive Social

• Social-behavior in social settings– External influences Attraction– Conformity Group behavior– Prejudice Aggression

• Experimental-explore psychological/biological relationships– Endless opportunities at the university level.

• Industrial/organizational-deal with people and work issues– Behavior in organizations/businesses– Hiring, training, promotions, etc.

• Forensic-deal with criminal behavior in the justice system– Testify in court Family violence– Hostage crisis Profilers