Chapter 1 What is Psychology?

Chapter Preview Defining Psychology Historical Foundations of Psychology Contemporary Approaches to Psychology Specializations and Careers in Psychology Application: Health and Wellness

Psychology: Defined The scientific study of behavior and mental processes Key components of this definition: Science Behavior Mental Processes IM: Defining Psychology Activity Note: Instructors should note the goals of psychology – to describe, predict, and explain behavior. Those goals can easily be tied to the research methods discussed in Chapter 2 for added emphasis.

Psychology and Common Sense Is psychology simply common sense? Sometimes yes, but sometimes no… Hindsight Bias Unexpected Findings IM: Activity Handout 1.1: Common Sense or Fact Activity/Demonstration: Asking students how they would respond in certain situations (e.g., bystander intervention) and then telling them that their response(s) are inconsistent with research findings helps make this point.

Positive Psychology Psychology has traditionally focused on the negative aspects of human experience, but the discipline is concerned with much more than disordered behavior! Positive Psychology Movement Experiences people value Traits associated with optimal functioning Positive group and civic values IM: Positive Psychology Activity IM: Forgiveness Activity

Historical Approaches Western Philosophy Biology and Physiology Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) First Psychology Laboratory (1879) established at the University of Leipzig

Structuralism Wundt: Identify structures of the mind Research described dimensions of feeling: Pleasure / Displeasure Tension / Relaxation Excitement / Depression Methodology: Introspection IM: Structuralism Activity

Functionalism William James and Pragmatism Identify the functions of the mind Focused on interactions with environment Adaptive significance: “Why?” Flow of thought: Stream of consciousness IM: Functionalism Activity

Psychology and Evolution Charles Darwin (1859) Natural Selection There exists a constant struggle for resources Nature will favor those traits that promote reproduction and survival Environmental changes alter evolution’s course IM: Activity Handout 1.2: To Be Extinct or Not

Contemporary Approaches Seven Current Psychological Perspectives Biological Behavioral Psychodynamic Humanistic Cognitive Evolutionary Sociocultural Note: It is important to stress early and often that these approaches are complementary, not contradictory… that they really represent different levels of analysis.

The Biological Approach Focuses on the brain and nervous system Central to understanding behavior, thought, and emotion Neuroscience Structure, function, development, genetics, biochemistry of the nervous system Chapter 3: Biological Foundations of Behavior

The Behavioral Approach Focuses on the environmental determinants of observable behavior Notable Behaviorists: John Watson, B.F. Skinner Early conflicts with cognitive psychologists Chapter 7: Learning

The Psychodynamic Approach Emphasizes unconscious thought, conflict between internal drives and society, and early family experiences All influence behavior, thought, and emotion Notable Psychodynamic Theorists Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, Alfred Adler Chapter 11: Personality

The Humanistic Approach Focuses on positive human qualities, capacity for self-actualization, free will Developed in response to the behaviorist and psychodynamic approaches Notable Humanistic Theorists Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow Chapter 11: Personality

The Cognitive Approach Emphasizes the importance of mental processes to problem solving, learning and memory Mental processes control behavior through memories, perceptions, and thinking Chapter 9: Thinking, Language, and Intelligence

The Evolutionary Approach Emphasizes the relevance of evolutionary theory to all behavior and mental processes Current function reflects changes that occurred in response to ancestral environments Notable Evolutionary Psychologists David Buss, Leda Cosmides, John Tooby Chapter 3: Biological Foundations of Behavior

The Sociocultural Approach Examines how social and cultural environments influence behavior and mental processes In contrast to the evolutionary approach Studies differences between ethnic and cultural groups within a country Chapter 12: Social Psychology

Contemporary Approaches Seven Current Psychological Perspectives Biological Behavioral Psychodynamic Humanistic Cognitive Evolutionary Sociocultural Note: This slide is repeated to encourage instructors to summarize the complementary approaches to understanding behavior and mental processes IM: How Would They See It? Activity

Critical Controversy: Altruism Altruism Defined Voluntary behavior intended to help others Not motivated by expectation of personal gain Altruism: The Evolutionary Approach Kin selection and inclusive fitness Altruism: The Sociocultural Approach Social relationships unfold over time Activity/Demonstration: Ask students first to provide real-world examples of altruistic behavior IM: Truly Altruistic Activity IM: Activity Handout 1.3: Are You Altruistic?

Areas of Specialization Specializations are not mutually exclusive Highlighted by “Intersections” in the text American Psychological Association Abbreviated: APA Currently 56 divisions / specializations IM: Activity Handout 1.4: Jobs in Psychology

Areas of Specialization Physiological Psychology Behavioral Neuroscience Developmental Psychology Sensation and Perception Activity/Demonstration: It might be helpful to invite a few colleagues or professional in to your class to discuss their area of specialization and/or career Note: Instructors might either delete and/or elaborate on these areas of specialization

Areas of Specialization Cognitive Psychology Learning Motivation and Emotion Personality Psychology Activity/Demonstration: It might be helpful to invite a few colleagues or professional in to your class to discuss their area of specialization and/or career Note: Instructors might either delete and/or elaborate on these areas of specialization

Areas of Specialization Social Psychology Industrial and Organizational Psychology Clinical and Counseling Psychology Health Psychology Activity/Demonstration: It might be helpful to invite a few colleagues or professional in to your class to discuss their area of specialization and/or career Note: Instructors might either delete and/or elaborate on these areas of specialization

Areas of Specialization Community Psychology School and Educational Psychology Environmental Psychology Psychology of Women Activity/Demonstration: It might be helpful to invite a few colleagues or professional in to your class to discuss their area of specialization and/or career Note: Instructors might either delete and/or elaborate on these areas of specialization

Areas of Specialization Forensic Psychology Sport Psychology Cross-Cultural Psychology Activity/Demonstration: It might be helpful to invite a few colleagues or professional in to your class to discuss their area of specialization and/or career Note: Instructors might either delete and/or elaborate on these areas of specialization

Intersection: Culture and Emotion Complete the “Happiness” scale in the text Sum your ratings and divide the total by 5 Higher scores = higher perceived happiness Despite numerous cultural differences, most people report being happy But culture can impact perceived happiness

Intersection: Culture and Emotion Individualistic Cultures Individuals viewed as unique and distinct from their social group Value independence Collectivistic Cultures Emphasize social group and the individual’s role within that group Value interdependence Note: Instructors should stress that, although personal happiness is positively correlated with individualism, there is a price (e.g., higher suicide and divorce rates)

Careers in Psychology What do psychologists do? And where? Business Social and Human Services Research Education Research Laboratories Clinical and Private Practice Settings Activity/Demonstration: Instructors might ask students to describe the various career opportunities available to those who hold undergraduate or advanced degrees in psychology IM: Activity Handout 1.4: Jobs in Psychology

Careers in Psychology

Careers in Psychology

Psychology: Health and Wellness Psychology is concerned with Mind-Body Connections The mind impacts the body Examples? The body impacts the mind IM: Is It Good For You? Activity Activity/Demonstration: Have students generate the examples called for in this slide, or have them sort your examples into the two categories

Chapter Summary Explain what psychology is and describe the positive psychology movement. Discuss the roots and early scientific foundations of psychology. Summarize the main themes of seven approaches to psychology. Evaluate areas of specialization and careers in psychology. Describe the connections between the mind and the body. Note: Instructors may use the learning objectives presented on this slide or the following two slides to summarize the chapter material

Chapter Summary Defining Psychology The scientific study of behavior and mental processes Historical Foundations of Psychology Origins in philosophy and physiology Structuralism – Wilhelm Wundt Functionalism – William James Evolutionary Theory – Charles Darwin

Chapter Summary Contemporary Approaches to Psychology Seven current approaches – complementary Specializations and Careers in Psychology Business, social and human services, research Education, research, clinics and private practice Application: Health and Wellness The mind-body connection is a “two-way street”