A general and introductory course

Course of Study  History of and Approaches to Psychology  The brain, body, and behavior  Sensation and Perception  Consciousness  Learning  Personality  Conflict, Stress, and Drugs  Mental Disorders  Dreams

Psychology: Definitions: Psychology is the scientific study of human and animal behavior and mental processes. See the Columbia Encyclopedia definition here: From the Greek Psyche meaning mind or soul and Ology meaning to study Literally: The study of the mind or the soul.

Three Themes of Psychology Three basic themes of Psychology: Psychology is based on science. Psychology looks at thoughts, feelings, and actions of people. Psychology is concerned with making people's lives better.

Precursors to Psychology The early history of medicine and science is filled with interesting ideas of how the brain worked: Phrenology Mesmerism

Phrenology came from the theories of the Viennese physician Franz Joseph Gall ( ). The basic tenets of Gall's system were: 1.The brain is the organ of the mind. 2.The mind is composed of multiple distinct, innate faculties. 3.Because they are distinct, each faculty must have a separate seat or "organ" in the brain. 4.The size of an organ, other things being equal, is a measure of its power. 5.The shape of the brain is determined by the development of the various organs. 6.As the skull takes its shape from the brain, the surface of the skull can be read as an accurate index of psychological aptitudes and tendencies. Phrenology

Phrenology  Definition: The theory that the bumps and dips in the skull determine a person’s behavior, personality and bodily function.  Lasting contribution to psychology:  Although Gall’s ideas were largely incorrect he was correct in a couple of ways:  The brain is divided into distinct areas.  Each distinct area is responsible for different aspects of behavior, personality or function.

Mesmerism Franz Mesmer ( ) was a very early forerunner of psychology. He believed in a condition or substance called “animal magnetism,” with which he could cure people of illnesses. Though many of Mesmer’s were not based on real science, the practice of Mesmerism (to be mesmerized…) later led James Braid to develop hypnotism in Hypnotism is a practice still used by councilors and psychologists today.

Charles DarwinCharles Darwin Lived Darwin’s books, The Origin of Species (1859) and The Descent of Man (1871), inspired scientists to study animals and apply their findings to the human being. Previously, humans had been considered to be separate from animals. Psychologists today continue to study the behavior of animals, seeking to learn about humans.

The Ascent of ManThe Ascent of Man

Wilhelm WundtWilhelm Wundt The “Father of Psychology Wundt (1832 – 1920) started, in 1879 the first laboratory for studying humans. He believed that the human mind could be broken down into parts and understood by psychologists in the same way that chemists break down chemicals. He attempted to create a “catalog” of human sensations and feelings, and memories

Wilhelm Wundt’s Methods 1.Describe the object on the right. What does it look like? What might it smell or feel like? 2.What emotions does this object bring out in you? 3. What memories does this object cause you to have? Write out answers to these questions in your journal

Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud Lived Freud developed one of the first comprehensive theories of personality: how personality develops, how it goes wrong, how to fix it. He believed that most problems can be traced back to issues we had in childhood. We are not conscious of these problems are and it is the job of the psychologist to unlock a person’s internal conflicts.

William JamesWilliam James “Psychology is the description and explanation of states of consciousness in human beings.” James’ book Principles of Psychology (1890), looked at consciousness as an evolutionary process. James focused on the psychology of the individual rather than trying to break behavior down into general parts A founder of American Psychology

Ivan Pavlov Pavlov was a physiologist who wanted to learn how salivation and gastric juices aid digestion. By working with dogs he discovered about the “conditioned response.” He found that dogs will salivate not only when they are being fed, but even when they first see the person who they expect will feed them. Try the Pavlov’s Dog game:

Classical Conditioning  Pavlov discovered a method of learning called Classical Conditioning  Stimulus : something that produces a reaction  Response : the reaction to a stimulus.  Classical Conditioning : learning in which one stimulus creates a response that is usually created by another stimulus.  This happens when the two stimuli are associated with each other.

Operant Conditioning  Later on a man named BF Skinner discovered another kind of learning called Operant Conditioning  Reinforcement : something that a person likes, that reward a particular behavior.  Operant Conditioning : desired behavior is rewarded until the behavior is learned. Alternatively, to unlearn something you must remove some reward so that there is no positive association with bad behavior.  Positive Reinforcement : Added reward.  Negative Reinforcement : Removed reward, not punishment

To Will or not to Will...To Will or not to Will... In your journal answer the following questions. To what extent do humans choose their behavior? Do we have Free Will or are our actions and decisions predictable and controlled by some outside force? If you do not believe we have Free Will, what outside force controls our behavior? If your answer is mixed, describe what kinds of actions are controlled and which ones we control.

John B. Watson In the 1920s Watson was one of the first American psychologists to study the impact of learning on human emotion. Watson believed that most of our psychological problems are learned and that good parenting can prevent these problems. This theory was later called Behaviorism.

Six Approaches to Modern Psychology Biological Approach Behavioral Approach Cognitive Approach Humanistic Approach Psychoanalytic Approach Social Approach Modern psychologists use one or more of these approaches to study and explain human behavior. Using more than one of these approaches is called “eclecticism.”

The Behavioral ApproachThe Behavioral Approach Behaviorists view behavior as the product of learning and associations: we are all the end result of all different events we have been exposed to in our lives. We shape our behavior based on the punishments and rewards we receive for our actions. B. F. Skinner ( ), one of the most famous Behaviorists, believed that people are “mechanically controlled by our environment.” He did not believe that humans have free will.

Behaviorist Questions on Alcoholism : 1. Is alcoholism learned? 2. If so, can it be unlearned? 3. Can new habits replace drinking habits?

The Cognitive ApproachThe Cognitive Approach One of the most popular approaches to psychology today. The cognitive approach emphasizes how humans use mental processes (thinking, learning) to handle problems or develop certain personality characteristics. Therefore our thoughts will effect our personalities and behavior. The Cognitive Approach downplays the effects of emotions, saying that we can control them with our thoughts if we try hard enough. Cognitive Questions on Alcoholism: 1. What thoughts lead up to episodes of heavy drinking? 2. If these thoughts are analyzed and changed, will the drinking be curbed or stopped?

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)  Today Cognitive and Behavioral approaches work together.  CBT tries to change both a person’s thoughts and attitudes AND their actions and behaviors in order to create health.  CBT can be effective in treating depression and anxiety, and in helping people sleep better.  It is also effective in treating problems commonly associated with such negative behaviors as smoking, anorexia, and drug addiction.

The Biological Approach Biopsychologists view behavior as the result of nervous system functions and biology. They want to know how the body and its chemistry effect behavior. They also study the effects of diet and exercise on function and behavior. Sample questions a Biologist might ask on alcoholism: 1. Is alcoholism a disease? 2. What role does heredity play in alcoholism? 3. How does alcohol affect the brain?

Brain Scanning One of the biggest breakthroughs of biomedical science is neuroimaging technology, which allows scientists to see patterns in brain activity in people CT or CAT scanning, MRI and FMRI are all examples of Neuroimaging technologies. Using brain scanning technology, scientists can pinpoint which areas of the brain are active during different types of thinking, feeling, and acting.

The Humanistic ApproachThe Humanistic Approach Humanists believe that all people are basically good and capable of helping themselves. People are in control of their own destinies (we have free will) and the environment acts as a background for our internal growth. It does not force us to act in any certain way. Every person has the potential to become great in his or her own way. Human behavior is the product of our need to become great, or to become self-actualized. Humanistic Questions on Alcoholism: 1. Do people drink because they don’t feel a sense of worth? 2. Does alcohol give people a false sense of worth?

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Positive Psychology  Traditional psychology studies what is wrong with people.  Humanistic Psychology studies healthy people to find out how people can reach their potential.  A recent approach to psychology, Positive Psychology, states:  “We believe that a psychology of positive human functioning will arise, which achieves a scientific understanding and effective interventions to build thriving in individuals, families, and communities” thriving

The Psychoanalytic Approach This is Sigmund Freud’s theory. Freud believed that behavior is the product of unconscious forces. He thought that behavior is motivated by sexual and aggressive impulses, urges and desires that are hidden in our unconscious from early childhood. To help people change their negative behaviors they must analyze their impulses to reveal the unconscious motivations. Psychoanalytic Questions on Alcoholism: 1. Is heavy drinking an indication of some deeper, unconscious, problem or conflict? 2. Does drinking make people less inhibited, allowing their unconscious desires to surface?

The Social Approach Behavior is viewed as strongly influenced by the rules and expectations of specific social groups or cultures. Social psychologists want to know how our cultural identifications effect our personalities. Also, which cultural identifications affect us the most? That is, which culture are we actually a part of? Our national culture? Our religious culture? Social Psychology Questions on Alcoholism: 1. How does alcoholism differ from one culture to another? 2. What are the unique pressures within a certain culture that might contribute to alcohol abuse?