Welcome to Psychology

What is Psychology Psychology – is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes Psychology – is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes Why is psychology considered a science? Why is psychology considered a science? Behavior – is everything we do that can be directly observed. Behavior – is everything we do that can be directly observed. Mental processes- are thoughts, feelings, and motives that each of us experiences privately, but cannot be observed directly Mental processes- are thoughts, feelings, and motives that each of us experiences privately, but cannot be observed directly

Objective: SWBAT Discuss and Explain the 7 perspectives of psychology Objective: SWBAT Discuss and Explain the 7 perspectives of psychology Agenda: notes, discussion, examples Agenda: notes, discussion, examples Closure: compare and contrast 3 out of the 7 perspectives Closure: compare and contrast 3 out of the 7 perspectives

Six Contemporary Perspectives Behavioral(1913-present) –effects of environment on the overt behavior of humans and animals Behavioral(1913-present) –effects of environment on the overt behavior of humans and animals Basic premise- only observable events (stimulus-response relations) can be studied scientifically Basic premise- only observable events (stimulus-response relations) can be studied scientifically Psychologists: John Watson Psychologists: John Watson Ivan Pavlov Ivan Pavlov B.F. Skinner B.F. Skinner

Continued Psychoanalytic (1900-present) – Unconscious determinants of behavior Psychoanalytic (1900-present) – Unconscious determinants of behavior Basic premise – Unconscious motives and experiences in early childhood govern personality and mental disorders. Basic premise – Unconscious motives and experiences in early childhood govern personality and mental disorders. Psychologists- Sigmund Freud Psychologists- Sigmund Freud Carl Jung Carl Jung Alfred Adler Alfred Adler

Continued Humanistic (1950’s – present) Unique aspects of human experiences Basic principals –Humans are free, rational beings with potential for personal growth, and they are fundamentally different from animals Basic principals –Humans are free, rational beings with potential for personal growth, and they are fundamentally different from animals Psychologists – Carl Rogers Psychologists – Carl Rogers Abraham Maslow Abraham Maslow

Continued Cognitive – (1950’s – present) Thoughts: Mental Processes Cognitive – (1950’s – present) Thoughts: Mental Processes Basic premise – Human behavior can not be fully understood without examining how people acquire, store, and process information. Basic premise – Human behavior can not be fully understood without examining how people acquire, store, and process information. Psychologists – Jean Piaget Psychologists – Jean Piaget Noam Chomsky Noam Chomsky Herbert Simon Herbert Simon

Continued Biological (1950’s – present) – Physiological basis of behavior in humans and animals Biological (1950’s – present) – Physiological basis of behavior in humans and animals Basic Premise – An organism’s functioning can be explained in terms of bodily structure and biochemical processes that underlie behavior. Basic Premise – An organism’s functioning can be explained in terms of bodily structure and biochemical processes that underlie behavior. Psychologists – James Olds, Roger Sperry Psychologists – James Olds, Roger Sperry

Continued Evolutionary (1980’s – Present) – Evolutionary basis for behavior in humans and animals Evolutionary (1980’s – Present) – Evolutionary basis for behavior in humans and animals Basic Premise – Behavior patterns have evolved to solve adaptive problems: natural selection favors behaviors that enhance reproductive success. Basic Premise – Behavior patterns have evolved to solve adaptive problems: natural selection favors behaviors that enhance reproductive success. Psychologists – David Buss, Martin Daly, Margo Wilson, Leda Cosmides, John Tooby Psychologists – David Buss, Martin Daly, Margo Wilson, Leda Cosmides, John Tooby

Contemporary Approaches to Psychology

Psychology’s Subject Matter Key Themes in the Study of Human Behavior Culture – Behavior must be interpreted within the norms of the individual’s culture. Culture – Behavior must be interpreted within the norms of the individual’s culture. Heredity and Environment – The two interact in complex ways to produce behavior. The question involves the relative influence of each for any observed behavior. Heredity and Environment – The two interact in complex ways to produce behavior. The question involves the relative influence of each for any observed behavior. Subjectivity of Experience – Perception is personal, individual and often in error. It is an active, dynamic process. Subjectivity of Experience – Perception is personal, individual and often in error. It is an active, dynamic process.

Words of Wisdom What was the quote about this morning? What was the quote about this morning?

Areas of Basic Research in Psychology (Research done to gather fundamental knowledge about phenomena)  Developmental Psychology – Physical, cognitive, social and moral development throughout the lifespan  Social Psychology – Interpersonal behavior (the behavior of individuals in social groups), how social forces influence behavior  Experimental Psychology – Processes of learning, emotion, motivation, sensation and perception  Physiological Psychology – The influence of genetics and biology on thought and behavior

Areas of Basic Research (Continued)  Cognitive Psychology – Thinking, reasoning, memory, creativity, problem-solving, decision-making, language and information processing  Personality – Describing and understanding consistencies in behavior over time. Factors that determine personality change and consistency.  Psychometrics – Testing and measurement of behavior, personality, cognitive ability and sensory capability.

Areas of Applied Psychology (Use of knowledge gained through Basic Research in order to help others function effectively in their environments) Clinical Psychology – The evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and severe cognitive, emotional and behavioral problems Clinical Psychology – The evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and severe cognitive, emotional and behavioral problems Counseling Psychology – Helping people who are struggling with everyday problems of moderate severity Counseling Psychology – Helping people who are struggling with everyday problems of moderate severity Educational and School Psychology – Evaluate and improve educational process, help students, parents and teachers Educational and School Psychology – Evaluate and improve educational process, help students, parents and teachers Industrial and Organizational Psychology – Improve employee attitudes, morale, job satisfaction and productivity. Evaluate company structure and procedures Industrial and Organizational Psychology – Improve employee attitudes, morale, job satisfaction and productivity. Evaluate company structure and procedures

Where Psychologists work (2000)

What Are Employers Looking For? When you have a Ph.D., you have chosen to fine-tune your education for a specific kind of job–you are a specialist Psychology is a logical undergraduate major for those planning graduate work in such fields as sociology, social work, law, medicine, or education.

Some Career Options As a science, psychologists study how people perceive, think, feel, and act. In the professional arena: seek to predict how people will act help people modify their behavior help organizations, businesses, and communities to change.

Some Career Options Crisis Hot Line Advisor Salesperson Mental Health Assistant This is a new career field, usually requiring at least an associate degree- occupations in nursing homes, community mental health centers, centers dealing with mental retardation, or even special-education centers for the variously disabled in public schools. Personnel Director The successful applicant is likely to have a bachelor’s degree in psychology - decisions to hire and fire would be this person’s responsibility, especially for the support staff in any organization

Some Career Options School Psychologist A master’s degree is a must for this position; an undergraduate major in psychology is desirable Clinical Psychologist Consulting Psychologist a management consulting firm - A Ph.D. is required for this job - industrial/organizational psychology

Some Career Options Forensic psychology - is a branch of applied psychology that studies and makes practical suggestions about the workings of the law. Sports psychology - a field that developed during the 1980s, is an important part of training for many amateur and professional athletes Gerontology - the study of aging.