What is Psychology
What is Psychology? Definition : The scientific study of behavior and mental processes Uses scientific research methods. Behavior includes all observable behavior. Mental processes include thoughts, feelings and dreams.
Behavior o 2 Types of behaviors Voluntary – Behaviors we do consciously Involuntary – Behaviors we do unconsciously VoluntaryInvoluntary RunningMuscle twitches ReadingBlinking
Mental Processes Two types of mental processes Physiological: Physical state of being. Cognitive: Mental state of being. PhysiologicalCognitive BreathingMemory VisionFeelings
Scientific Research Methods Psychology is a science that is based on research 2 categories Psychological Research Basic research Applied research
Basic Research Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base. Research with the explicit purpose of finding new information
Applied Research Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems. Research with the purpose of using psychology to better the world.
Jobs in Psychology Psychologists: Usually have masters or doctorate. Trained in methods, knowledge, and theories of psychology. Often provide therapy and counseling services. Psychiatrists: Are a medical doctor (MD); usually use medications to treat problems. Generally do not have extensive training in providing “talk” therapy.
Psychologists Applied (Clinician) Basic (Experimental Psychologists) Clinical PsychologistsCounseling Psychologists Many Specialty Areas Developmental Learning Personality Social Cognitive 1.Where would you position psychiatrists on this org. chart? Many Flavors of Psychologists
Big Names in Psychology, Psychologies Modern Roots
Modern Psychologies Roots Major contributors Early perspectives
Wilhelm Wundt ( ) Founder of modern psychology; he opened the first psychology laboratory. The “father of psychology” The opening of the lab in 1879 in Leipzig is considered the beginning of the field of psychology.
William James (1842 – 1910) First American psychologist and author of the first psychology textbook Founder of Functionalism
Sigmund Freud ( )
Ivan Pavlov ( )
Modern Psychologies Roots Early Perspectives Structuralism Gestalt Functionalism Psychoanalysis Behaviorism Humanistic Major contributors William Wundt Edward Titchener William James Sigmund Freud Ivan Pavlov John Watson B. F. Skinner Carl Rogers Abraham Maslow Jean Piaget (cognitive perspective)
Perspectives in Psychology
Psychologies biggest historical Debate: Nature vs Nurture Are our human traits present at birth (nature or biological)? OR o Do we develop our traits through experience (Nurture or learning)
Six Modern psychological perspectives Psychoanalysis Behaviorism Humanism Cognitive Biological Social-cultural
What’s missing? Structural, Gestalt and Functionalism – Why would these not exist anymore? These are the forerunners to the cognitive perspective
Cognitive Perspective School of thought that focuses on how people think – how we take in, process, store, and retrieve information. Emphasizes how people think about and interpret a situation
Biological Perspective School of thought that focuses on the physical structures and substances underlying a particular behavior, thought, or emotion Behavior is explained by brain chemistry, genetics, glands, etc.
Social-Cultural Perspective School of thought that focuses on how thinking or behavior changes in different situations or as a result of cultural influences.
Behavioral Perspective Focus: How we learn through rewards, punishments, and observation Behavior is explained by previous learning
Humanistic Perspective Focus: How healthy people strive to reach their full potential Behavior is explained as being motivated by satisfying needs (safety, hunger, thirst, etc.), with the goal of reaching one’s full potential once basic needs are met.
Psychodynamic Perspective Focus: How behavior is affected by unconscious drives and conflicts Behavior is explained through unconscious motivation and unresolved inner conflicts from one’s childhood. Modern version of psychoanalytic perspective.
Emerging perspectives Social-Cognitive: a perspective that explores how contexts and patterns of thinking affect thinking and behavior Neuroscience: the study of how neurological and biological processes affect thinking and behavior. This school is similar to biological psychology, but more focused on neurological processes. Social-Cultural: school of thought that focuses on how thinking or behavior changes in different contexts or situations Behavior Genetics: school of thought that focuses on how much our genes and our environment influence our individual differences Evolutionary Psychology: a perspective that explores how evolutionary principles affect behavior of individuals and species