Ms. Couch

 What is it?  Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.  This includes what we think, feel & do.

.  A. Gain insight into behavior such as why we have certain feelings and emotions.   B. Understand how we train ourselves to behave in a certain way as well as have an impact on the behavior of others.

◦ A. Description – What behaviors are you studying? ◦ B. Explanation – Not just state the facts, but explain why a behavior occurs. Used to make a hypothesis ◦ C. Prediciton – Use the knowledge you have acquired and predict what happens next. ◦ D. Influence – How do we apply and possibly influence behaviors from what we learn ?

Or The Times and Troubles of the Scientific Method 11 mins/Times and troubles of scientific method silliness scientific method song - groovy scientific method song - groovy

III. Psychologists use the scientific method to obtain and analyze data and reach conclusions. (psst: Psychology is a SOCIAL SCIENCE)

..  are trained to observe, analyze and evaluate behavior.

Types Of psychologists Direct, one-on-one helping ◦ A. Clinical psychologists – help people deal with personal problems. May be in clinics, private offices, mental hospitals, & prisons ◦ B. Counseling psychologists – work in schools or industry to advise people with life problems and challenges

 C. Developmental psychologists – study physical, emotional, cognitive and social changes in our lives like childhood, aging, dying  D. Educational psychologists - study topics related to teaching like memory, problem solving, motivation

“in the field” ◦ E. Community psychologists - May work in mental health, welfare agency, or public clinic ◦ F. Industrial psychologists – employed by business or gov’t. They study & develop methods to increase production, workplace conditions; find which jobs suit people best; training  G. Experimental psychologists – researchers who study how we operate: brain research, observation

of Psychology

 1. Sometime around 300 BC, the Greek philosopher Socrates suggested we can learn about ourselves by examining our thoughts and feelings. “ Know thyself!”  1. Sometime around 300 BC, the Greek philosopher Socrates suggested we can learn about ourselves by examining our thoughts and feelings. “ Know thyself!”

 People are motivated to seek pleasure and avoid pain.  Greeks also theorized about psychological problems. 2. Aristotle – Socrates’ student gave us associationism:

 Believed there was a biological basis in the brain which caused abnormalities. (he didn’t like the idea that the gods were punishing people who had unusual behavior)

 1. Problems like agitation and confusion were the work of demons and deals made with the devil!

And all this eventually brings us to the scientific revolution and modern science!