Chapter 1: What is Psychology? x- Psychology is the SCIENTIFIC study of behavior and mental processes. obviously the key word is SCIENTIFIC! Just like Biological scientists, chemists, and physicists, Psychologists conduct research and use facts based on that research to show any number of events in life. x-Behavior- Any action that others can observe or measure.

x- mental processes- ???????? Let's use cognitive activities instead. x-cognitive activities- Dreams Memories Thoughts Perceptions

What else does Psychology study? Emotions (Feelings)- These affect both behavior and mental processes. How?

The Goals of Psychology- Observe, describe, explain, predict and control the things they study. The book gives a great example from the sports psychology from the end of Super Bowl XXV.

The process is just like the scientific method In order to perform under pressure Sports Psychology tries to help athletes learn about themselves and what is called the mental game. The process is just like the scientific method 1. Observe and describe the behavior 2. Do some background research on what happens physiologically (in their bodies) during competition. 3. Do some research by conducting interviews with the athletes themselves to see what they feel. Do they get distracted by fans? by failure? by success? 4. Explain the behavior according to scientific psychological research. 5. Predict the behavior or show the athlete how their reactions impact their performance both GOOD and BAD. 6. Change and control their behavior and how they react to their surroundings and the events within competition. 1. Despite a ridiculous amount of reps in practice throughout his life and in the biggest moment of his career Scott Norwood's kick sailed wide right. 2. When in this high pressure moment athletes get ahead of themselves fearing what could happen, they sweat more, their bodies shake which can impact any number of mechanics they have practiced for days. 3. An interview of Norwood and how he reacted to this situation. 4. self-serving bias, self-handicapping, visualization 5. If he kicks in SB XXVI this will happen to your body and your mind. Some good and some bad. 6. Here are some alternatives to what you've done.

Your turn! Analyze yourself.... be careful of your own biases (good or bad). Take a situation in which you did not do well, were uncomfortable in or really understand you'd like to get better at. Use the previous page and objectively go down the list to try to make a small change in behavior. Possible examples include: test taking, homework, your job, athletics, friends, etc......

Pg. 8 What do Psychologists do? Clinical Psychologist- Help people with psychological problems. -Can work in hospitals, prisons, clinics at schools, private practices. -They are NOT psychiatrists.

Counseling Psychologists- Treat people with adjustment problems Counseling Psychologists- Treat people with adjustment problems. Not serious Psychological disorders. - Work in businesses, work in university counseling centers. School Psychologists- Identify and help students who have difficulties learning. Social Psychologists- Deal with people's behavior in social situations. -Usually work as researchers and professors at colleges/universities. Experimental Psychologists- Conduct experimental research on the nervous system. Such as sensation, perception, learning, memory, etc....

Industrial/Organizational Psychologists- Focus on people and work (their behaviors) Work in college/universities and/or privately. Consumer Psychologists- Study the behavior of shoppers to explain and predict their behavior. Forensic Psychologists- Work in the legal field - Is a person competent to stand trial - help police officers in crucial situations - counsel police officers - criminal profiling