Section 1: Why Study Psychology? Chapter Introduction Section 1: Why Study Psychology? Section 2: A Brief History of Psychology Section 3: Psychology as a Profession Chapter Menu

Section 1-Polling Question How can learning about psychology help you? A. You gain a better understanding of your own behavior B. Gives you knowledge about how psychologists study human behavior C. Practical applications for enriching your life D. All of the above A B C D Section 1-Polling Question

Why Study Psychology? physiological—physical, needs such as sleep and hunger cognitive—private, unobservable mental, reasons Section 1

Which category would the digestive system be considered part of ? A. Physiological B. Cognitive C. Physiological and cognitive D. Neither physiological or cognitive A B C D Section 1

Gaining Insight into Behavior Psychology can provide useful insight into one’s self and into the behavior of others. Section 1

Do you agree that reflecting on your feelings can help with confidence? A. Agree B. Disagree A B Section 1

What do you call the systematic way of dispensing rewards and punishments? A. Breakdown B. Shaping C. Memory aids D. Disturbance A B C D Section 1

Overview of Psychology Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Both animals and humans are studied. Section 1

Overview of Psychology (cont.) Psychologists seek to do four things: 1. Describe—they describe or gather information about the behavior being studied. 2. Explain—these explanations are also called psychological principles—generally valid ideas about behavior. Section 1

Overview of Psychology (cont.) Propose a hypothesis—an educated guess about some phenomenon. Form a theory—a complex explanation based on findings from a large number of experimental studies. Section 1

Overview of Psychology (cont.) 3. Predict—by studying descriptive and theoretical accounts of past behavior, they can predict future behaviors. 4. Influence behavior—Scientists who conduct studies with a long-term goal of finding out more about human or animal behavior are conducting basic science. Section 1

Overview of Psychology (cont.) Scientists who use what we already know about people to benefit others view psychology as an applied science. Section 1

Which is NOT a goal of psychologists? A. Explanation B. Prediction C. Medicate D. Influence A B C D Section 1

The Scientific Basis of Psychology Scientist rely on the scientific method—a general approach to gathering information and answering questions so that errors and biases are minimized. Wilhelm Wundt pioneered the scientific method. Test Your Intuitions Section 1

Test Your Intuitions Test your intuitions about behavior by answering true or false to the statements below. Figure 1

The Scientific Basis of Psychology (cont.) Psychologists reach their conclusions by: identifying a specific problem or question formulating a hypothesis collecting data through observation and experimentation analyzing the data The Scientific Method Section 1

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The Scientific Method Scientists investigate a question they have by using the scientific method. Figure 2

Main Idea Psychology involves sets of questions, theories, methods, and possible answers that have been passed on and changed from generation to generation. Section 2-Main Idea

Objectives Explain important trends in the history of psychology. Identify various approaches to the study of psychology. Section 2-Objectives

Section 2-Polling Question What is phrenology? A. The study of the shape and protuberances of the skull B. The study of the brain C. The study of eyes and nose D. None of the above A B C D Section 2-Polling Question

The Origins of Psychology The study of psychology has come a long way since the study of bumps on skulls, or phrenology. In a time when many natural scientists were studying complex phenomena by reducing them to simpler parts, the science of psychology was also born. Section 2

Which philosopher proposed a link existing between mind and body in the 1700’s? A. Copernicus B. Galileo C. Descartes D. Hilgard A B C D Section 2

Historical Approaches Wilhelm Wundt was a structuralist—a scientist who studies the basic elements that make up conscious mental experiences. He developed a method of self observation called introspection to collect information about the mind. Section 2

Historical Approaches (cont.) Participants reported their thoughts and feelings. Wundt tried to map out the basic structure of thought processes. Section 2

Historical Approaches (cont.) William James, the “father of psychology,” believed that all activities of the mind serve one major function: to help us survive as a species. Functionalists study how animals and people adapt to their environments, or the function rather than the structure of consciousness. Section 2

Historical Approaches (cont.) Sir Francis Galton wanted to understand how heredity influences a person’s abilities, character, and behavior. He believed that genius or eminence is hereditary, but later scientists recognized his theory as flawed. Section 2

Historical Approaches (cont.) Galton also developed tests that were the forerunners to current personality and intelligence tests. He raised the issue of whether behavior is determined by heredity alone, or by environment as well. Section 2

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Historical Approaches (cont.) A group of German psychologists argued that perception is more than the sum of its parts—it involves a “whole pattern,” or Gestalt. These scientists studied how sensations are assembled into perceptual experiences. Section 2

The idea of ‘Survival of the Fittest’ would fall under which approach? A. Structuralism B. Functionalism C. Inheritable traits D. Gestalt psychology A B C D Section 2

Contemporary Approaches to Psychology Modern psychologists use many different approaches to study the same behavior. Each viewpoint offers additional information to understanding behavior and reflects a different view of human nature. Figure 3

Contemporary Approaches Psychoanalytical Psychology—Sigmund Freud was interested in studying the unconscious mind. A psychoanalyst is a psychologist who studies how unconscious motives and conflicts determine human behavior, feelings, and thoughts. Section 2

Contemporary Approaches (cont.) Freud used a method of indirectly studying unconscious processes, known as free association. He also used dream analysis to study his patients. Section 2

Contemporary Approaches (cont.) Behaviorists are psychologists that analyzes how organisms learn or modify their behavior based on their response to events in the environment. Ivan Pavlov pioneered this concept and B.F. Skinner introduced the idea of reinforcement (a response to behavior that increases the likelihood the behavior will be repeated). Section 2

Contemporary Approaches (cont.) Humanists—this type of psychologist believes that each person has freedom in directing his or her future and achieving personal growth. Cognitivists—this type of psychologist studies how we process, store, retrieve, and use information and how thought processes influence our behavior. Mary Whiton Calkins Section 2

Contemporary Approaches (cont.) Biological Psychology—a psychobiologist studies how physical and chemical changes in our bodies influence our behavior. Sociocultural Psychology—this approach involves studying the influence of cultural and ethnic similarities and differences on behavior and social functioning. Contemporary Approaches to Psychology Section 2

A study of how caffeine affects a person’s memory would fall under which approach? A. Humanistic B. Cognitive C. Sociocultural D. Biological A B C D Section 2

Section 3-Polling Question Which type is NOT a psychologist? A. Psychiatrist B. Clinical C. Behavioral D. Counseling A B C D Section 3-Polling Question

What is a Psychologist? Psychologists are people who have been trained to observe, analyze and evaluate behavior. Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that deals with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders. Section 3

What is a Psychologist? (cont.) A clinical psychologist diagnoses and treats people with emotional disturbances. Counseling psychologists usually help people deal with problems of everyday life. Section 3

What is a Psychologist? (cont.) Other kinds of psychologists: Developmental psychologist Educational psychologist Community psychologist Industrial/Organizational psychologist Experimental psychologist Section 3

What is a Psychologist? (cont.) Environmental Psychobiologists Forensic Health Personality Social Where Psychologists Work Section 3

What is a Psychologist? (cont.) The American Psychological Association (APA) is a scientific and professional society of psychologists and educators. Divisions of the APA Section 3

What kind of psychologist investigates how stress or depression leads to physical ailments such as ulcers, cancer, or the common cold? A. Educational B. Health C. Forensic D. Community A B C D Section 3

Section 3-End

Where Psychologists Work Most psychologists in the United States are engaged in clinical psychology. Figure 4

Divisions of the APA The divisions of the American Psychological Association (APA) represent the many areas in which a psychologist may specialize. Figure 5

Mary Whiton Calkins 1863–1930 “What we most need to know about any man is surely this: whether he is good or bad.” Profiles 1

Select a transparency to view. Chapter Concepts Transparencies The Scientific Method Major Developments in Psychology Select a transparency to view. Concept Trans Menu

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physiological: having to do with an organism’s physical processes Vocab1

cognitive: having to do with an organism’s thinking and understanding Vocab2

psychology: the scientific study of behavior that is tested through scientific research Vocab3

hypothesis: an assumption or prediction about behavior that is tested through scientific research Vocab4

theory: a set of assumptions used to explain phenomena and offered for scientific study Vocab5

basic science: the pursuit of knowledge about natural phenomena for its own sake Vocab6

applied science: discovering ways to use scientific findings to accomplish practical goals Vocab7

scientific method: a general approach to gathering information and answering questions so that errors and biases are minimized Vocab8

structuralist: a psychologist who studied the basic elements that make up conscious mental experiences Vocab9

introspection: a method of self-observation in which participants report their thoughts and feelings Vocab10

functionalist: a psychologist who studied the function (rather than the structure) of consciousness Vocab11

psychoanalyst: a psychologist who studied how unconscious motives and conflicts determine human behavior, feelings, and thoughts Vocab12

behaviorist: a psychologist who analyzes how organisms learn or modify their behavior based on their response to events in the environment Vocab13

humanist: a psychologist who believes that each person has freedom in directing his or her future and achieving personal growth Vocab14

cognitivist: a psychologist who studies how we process, store, retrieve, and use information and how thought processes influence our behavior Vocab15

psychobiologist: a psychologist who studies how physical and chemical changes in our bodies influence our behavior Vocab16

psychologist: a scientist who studies the mind and behavior of humans and animals Vocab17

psychiatry: a branch of medicine that deals with mental emotional, or behavioral disorders Vocab18

clinical psychologist: a psychologist who diagnoses and treats people with emotional disturbances Vocab19

counseling psychologist: a psychologist who usually helps people deal with problems of everyday life Vocab20

developmental psychologist: a psychologist who studies the emotional, cognitive, biological, personal, and social changes that occur as an individual matures Vocab21

educational psychologist: a psychologist who is concerned with helping students learn Vocab22

community psychologist: a psychologist who may work in a mental health or social welfare agency Vocab23

industrial/organizational psychologist: a psychologist who uses psychological concepts to make the workplace a more satisfying environment for employees and managers Vocab24

experimental psychologist: a psychologist who studies sensation, perception, learning, motivation and/or emotion in carefully controlled laboratory conditions Vocab25