Chapter 1 Introducing Psychology

What Is Psychology? Psychology Psyche: Mind Logos: Knowledge or study Definition: The scientific study of behavior and mental processes Behavior: can be directly observed (crying) Mental Processes: cannot be directly observed (remembering); private, internal

What Might a Psychologist Research? Development: Course of human growth and development Learning: How and why it occurs in humans and animals Personality: Traits, motivations, and individual differences Sensation and Perception: How we come to know the world through our five senses

What Might a Psychologist Research?(cont’d) Social: Human and social behavior Cultural: How culture affects human behavior Cognitive: How reasoning, problem solving, and other mental processes relate to human behavior Evolutionary: How our behavior is guided by patterns that evolved during human history

Figure 1.3a FIGURE 1.3 (a) Specialties in psychology. Percentages are approximate. Any particular psychologist might do several of these activities during a work week (APA, 1998). As you can see, most psychologists specialize in applied areas and work in applied settings.

Figure 1.3b FIGURE 1.3. (b) Where psychologists work. Any particular psychologist might do several of these activities during a work week (APA, 1998). As you can see, most psychologists specialize in applied areas and work in applied settings.

Figure 1.3c FIGURE 1.3 (c) This chart shows the main activities psychologists do at work. Any particular psychologist might do several of these activities during a work week (APA, 1998). As you can see, most psychologists specialize in applied areas and work in applied settings.

What Are the Goals of Psychology? 1. Description of Behaviors: Naming and classifying various observable, measurable behaviors 2. Understanding: The causes of behavior(s) 3. Prediction: Forecasting behavior accurately 4. Control: Altering conditions that influence behaviors Positive Use: To control unwanted behaviors, (e.g., smoking, tantrums, etc.) Negative Use: To control peoples’ behaviors without their knowledge

History of Psychology (Brief!): Beginnings Wilhelm Wundt: “Father” of Psychology 1879: Set up first lab to study conscious experience Stimulus: Any physical energy that affects the person and provokes a response Introspection: Looking inward (i.e., examining and reporting your thoughts, feelings, etc.) Wundt’s ideas brought to the U.S. and renamed Structuralism

History of Psychology: William James William James (American) and Functionalism How the mind functions to help us adapt to our environment Functionalists admired Darwin and his theory of Natural Selection: Animals keep features through evolution that help them adapt to environments

Many Flavors of Psychologists Psychologists: Usually have masters or doctorate. Trained in methods, knowledge, and theories of psychology. Clinical Psychologists: Treat psychological problems or do research on therapies and mental illnesses Counseling Psychologists: Treat milder problems, such as poor adjustment at work or at a school Psychiatrists: MD; usually use medications to treat problems. Generally do not have extensive training in providing “talk” therapy.

Many Flavors of Psychologists (cont’d) Psychoanalysts: Receive additional Freudian psychoanalytic training post-Ph.D. or M.D. at an institute. Counselors: Advisers who help solve problems with marriage, career, school, or work Psychiatric Social Workers: Many have masters degrees and perform psychotherapy. Use social science principles. Presently a very popular profession. Not all psychologists perform therapy!