Welcome to the Wonderful World of… Psychology! By the end of this taster session, you will have: Developed an understanding of Psychology is Explored how Psychology has shaped our world Developed an insight into the Psychology course taught at LPGS

Course Structure Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Cognitive Psychology – Memory Developmental Psychology – Attachment Social Psychology – Conformity and obedience Psychopathology – OCD, phobias and depression 2 hr. exam in 2019 Approaches in Psychology – including behaviourism, humanism and cognitive approaches. Biopsychology – brain structure Research Methods in psychology Relationships – attraction, maintenance and breakdown of relationships. Schizophrenia – Psychological and biological explanations and treatments Aggression – explanations for this behaviour Issues and Debates in psychology 2hr. Exam in 2019

What do Psychologists do? They explain behaviour. There are many different approaches in Psychology and they all explain behaviour in slightly different ways. Take a look at the timelines around the room.

Think of as many different ways as you can to explain behaviour Imitation Learning Past experiences Thoughts Genes Freewill

Phobias What are they?

In what way is this different to just being afraid of something? Definition An intense fear of an object, activity or situation and a powerful urge to avoid the feared stimuli. The fear is far out of proportion to the actual danger. When such behaviour interferes with normal everyday functioning a person has a phobia. In what way is this different to just being afraid of something?

Behaviourism and learning Behaviourists believe all behaviour is learnt. We learn in 2 ways: Classical conditioning – learning through association. Operant conditioning – learning through consequences (i.e. being rewarded or punished) Have a think about how you might apply CC and OC to a fear of the dentist or a fear of needles.

Behaviourism and Phobias Phobias are learnt Classical conditioning can explain why we get them – we associate the phobic stimulus with something fearful. Operant conditioning can explain why phobias are so long lasting – the sufferer is rewarded by avoiding the phobic stimulus – they don’t have to feel anxious or scared if they avoid it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGU0IYDlwn0

Treating phobias Psychology makes one of its greatest contributions to society in the creation of treatments/therapies to help people. To treat phobias we can use a therapy called systematic desensitisation.

Systematic Desensitisation Aim: For sufferers to unlearn their phobia To associate relaxation with the phobic stimulus rather than fear. How might we do this?

Systematic desensitisation 3 process therapy: Anxiety hierarchy – starting at situations that create the least anxiety and building up in stages to the most fear provoking situations. Relaxation Exposure

Example: Phobia of birds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfI_lVlmmg0 Example: Phobia of birds. Why does this lady have a phobia? Complete the table below. Anxiety Hierarchy Relaxation Exposure What would be in her anxiety hierarchy? What might the therapist do to help her to relax? Link this to the anxiety hierarchy