Essentials of Understanding Psychology 9th Edition By Robert Feldman 1 1

Chapter 1: Introduction to Psychology 2

Origin of psychology Psychology as a self-conscious field of experimental study began in 1879, when Wilhelm Wundt founded the first laboratory dedicated exclusively to psychological research in Leipzig university in Germany. His followers were Emil Kraepelin, James McKeen Cattell, and G. Stanley Hall.

Psychology Scientific study of behavior and mental processes. 4

Main branches of psychology Psychology is the science of the mind and behavior. The word "psychology" comes from the Greek word psyche meaning "breath, spirit, soul,brain", and the Greek word logia meaning the study of something. According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary, psychology is "The profession (clinical psychology), scholarly discipline (academic psychology), and science (research psychology) concerned with the behavior of humans and animals, and related mental and physiologic processes." Although psychology may also include the study of the mind and behavior of animals, in this article psychology refers to humans.

Definition 2 Psychology is the study of behavior and mind, embracing all aspects of conscious and unconscious experience as well as thought. It is an academic discipline and a social science which seeks to understand individuals and groups by establishing general principles and researching specific cases.

Module 1: Psychologists at Work What is the science of psychology? What are the major specialities in the field of psychology? Where do psychologists work? 7

Major Subfields of Psychology

The Subfields of Psychology How Do People Sense Perceive Learn About Think About …the World? Experimental Psychology the branch of psychology concerned with the scientific investigation of the responses of individuals to stimuli in controlled situations. 9

The Subfields of Psychology Developmental Psychology is the scientific study of how and why human beings change over the course of their life. Originally concerned with infants and children, the field has expanded to include adolescence, adult development, aging, and the entire lifespan. Personality Psychology Focuses on the consistency in people’s behavior over time and the traits that differ from person to person. 10

The Subfields of Psychology Health Psychology Explores the relationship between psychological factors and physical ailments (complaint) or disease. Clinical Psychology Deals with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders. Counseling Psychology Focuses primarily on educational, social, and career- adjustment problems. 11

The Subfields of Psychology Social Psychology Study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, and actions are affected by others Or the branch of psychology that deals with social interactions, including their origins and their effects on the individual. Cross-Cultural Psychology Investigates the similarities and differences in psychological functioning in and across various cultures and ethnic groups. 12

Newer Subfields of Psychology Evolutionary Psychology Considers how behavior is influenced by our genetic inheritance from our ancestors. Behavioral Genetics is the study of genetic and environmental influences on behaviors. By examining genetic influence, more information can be gleaned(جمع آوری) about how the environment operates to affect behavior. Criminal psychology is the study of the wills, thoughts, intentions, and reactions of criminals and all that partakes in the criminal behavior. It is related to the field of criminal anthropology. 13

Where do Psychologists work? 14

Careers for Psychology Majors Most psychology majors take a job in this field after graduation. Most common areas of employment: Social Services (Education ,community management, policy research etc ) Health care Federal, state, and local government 15

Careers for Psychology Majors 16