Why Study Psychology? Physiological – having to do with an organism’s physical processes Cognitive –having to do with an organism’s thinking and understanding Learning about psychology can help you gain a better understanding of your own behavior. Psychology can provide useful insight into behavior.

Why Study Psychology? Psychology – the scientific study of behavior Some psychologists only study observable behavior Some psychologists study unobservable behavior such as thoughts, feelings and fantasies Psychologists agree that the study of behavior must be systematic.

Goals of Psychology 4 Goals of Psychology 1. Describe behavior 2. Explain behavior 3. Predict behavior 4. Influence behavior

Goals of Psychology 1. Description – describe or gather information about the behavior being studied and present what is known 2. Explanation – explain why people (or animals) behave as they do -hypothesis – educated guess about some phenomenon or behavior that is tested through scientific research -theory – set of assumptions used to explain phenomenon

Goals of Psychology 3. Prediction – predict as a result of accumulated knowledge what organisms will do and, in the case of humans, what they will think or feel in various situations 4. Influence Behavior – try to influence behavior in helpful ways and try to solve problems Basic science – the pursuit of knowledge about natural phenomena for its own sake Applied science – discovering ways to use scientific findings to accomplish practical goals

Scientific Basis of Psychology Scientific method – a general approach to gathering information and answering questions so that errors and bias are minimized Identify problem, form hypothesis, collect and analyze data Wilhelm Wundt – 1st psych. lab in 1879 Psych. theories are continually reviewed and revised as new questions and studies develop.

History of Psychology Phrenology – early practice of examining bumps on the head to determine a person’s intellect and character traits Greeks studied human behavior and concluded that people were rational Greeks and future scientists such as Galileo, Copernicus and Descartes set the stage for the future study of psychology

History of Psychology Schools of thought 1. Structuralism 2. Functionalism 3. Inheritable Traits 4. Gestalt Psychology

History of Psychology Structuralism Wilhelm Wundt established modern psychology as a separate field of study Structuralist – a psychologist who studied the basic elements that make up conscious mental experiences (structure of the mind) Introspection – a method of self-observation in which participants report their thoughts and feelings

History of Psychology Functionalism William James taught the 1st class in psychology at Harvard in 1875 James called “father of psychology” James wrote 1st text – The Principles of Psychology Functionalist – a psychologist who studied the function (rather than the structure) of consciousness

History of Psychology Inheritable Traits Sir Francis Galton – Concluded that genius or eminence is a hereditary trait Did not consider environment and socioeconomic advantages Encouraged good marriage to have talented offspring Flaws in his theories were put forth Galton did develop first personality and intelligence tests

History of Psychology Gestalt Psychology Wertheimer, Kohler & Koffka argued that the whole should be studied instead of parts Set the stage for modern cognitive psychology

History of Psychology Contemporary Psychology 1. Psychoanalytic Psychology 2. Behavioral Psychology 3. Humanistic Psychology 4. Cognitive Psychology 5. Biological Psychology 6. Sociocultural Psychology

History of Psychology Psychoanalytic Psychology Sigmund Freud – physician interested in the unconscious mind Believed that unconscious thoughts conflicted with requirements of society and morality Felt unconscious motivations and conflicts are responsible for most human behavior Free association – patient said everything that came to mind no matter how absurd or irrelevant

History of Psychology Psychoanalytic Psychology (cont.) Psychoanalyst – a psychologist who studies how unconscious motives and conflicts determine human behavior Freud used dream analysis and case studies Freud’s theories are controversial yet influential today

History of Psychology Behavioral Psychology Ivan Pavlov – rang a tuning fork each time he gave a dog meat powder. Dog would salivate at sound of fork creating a conditioned response. Behaviorists – a psychologist who analyzes how organisms learn or modify their behavior based on their response to events in the environment

History of Psychology Behavioral Psychology (cont.) Watson and behaviorists believed they should concern themselves only with observable facts B.F. Skinner introduced the concept of reinforcement – response to a behavior increases the likelihood that a behavior will be repeated

History of Psychology Humanistic Psychology Maslow, Rogers & May believed that individual or self-directed choices influence our behavior Do not believe humans are controlled by the environment or unconscious forces Humanist – a psychologist who believes that each person has freedom in directing his or her future and achieving personal growth

History of Psychology Cognitive Psychology Piaget & Chomsky focus on how we process, store and use information and how this information influences our behavior Cognitivists believe that behavior is a response to a stimulus

History of Psychology Biological Psychology Psychobiologist – a psychologist who studies how physical and chemical changes in our bodies influence our behavior Study how the brain, nervous system, hormones and genetics influence behavior

History of Psychology Sociocultural Psychology Studies the influence of cultural and ethnic similarities (it’s a brown thing) and differences on behavior and social functioning How we think, feel, and behave is dependent on our culture (overweight & race). Study discrimination, socioeconomic status, immigration, and intolerance.

Psychology as a Profession Psychologist – a scientist who studies the mind and behavior of humans & animals Psychologists observe, analyze & evaluate behavior Psychiatry – a branch of medicine that deals with mental, emotional or behavioral disorders Psychiatrists attend medical school & sometimes work with psychologists.

Psychology as a Profession Clinical and counseling psychology are the most popular subfields. Clinical psychologists help people deal with their personal problems through diagnosis and treatment of people with emotional disturbances. Counseling psychologists help people deal with problems of living. Most states require a doctorate for clinical and counseling psychologists.

Psychology as a Profession Developmental psychologists – study the emotional, cognitive, biological, personal and social changes that occur as an individual matures Educational psychologists – work with students, teaching methods and testing Community psychologists – work in mental or social welfare agencies Industrial psychologists – work on making the workplace better for employees and managers Environmental psychologists – work in business & government to study the effects of the environment on people

Psychology as a Profession Psychobiologists – study the effects of drugs and chemical activities on the body and nervous system Forensic psychologists – work in legal, court & correctional systems to help understand the personalities of criminal offenders Health psychologists – study the interaction between mental and physical ailments Experimental psychologists – perform research to understand how humans and animals operate physically and psychologically. Supply information and research used in psychology

Psychology as a Profession American Psychological Association (APA) – founded in 1892 as the scientific & professional society of psychologists and educators 56 divisions represent specific areas Work to advance the profession and improve human welfare http://www.apa.org/about/division/index.aspx