Chapter 1 Introduction to Psychology

KEY POINTS - CHAPTER 1 What is psychology? What are the primary perspectives that guide modern psychology? What are the main career specialties?

Definition of Psychology nThe scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Current Psychological Perspectives Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic Behaviorism Humanistic Cognitive Neuroscience/Biopsychology Sociocultural

Psychoanalytic/ psychodynamic Emphasizes unconscious processes and early life experiences Freud

Behaviorism Studies objective, observable, environmental influences Skinner, Pavlov

Humanistic Focuses on self-concept, free will, and human nature as positive Carl Rogers Abraham Maslow

Cognitive Emphasizes conscious thought, perception and information processing

Evolutionary Psychology Focuses on natural selection, adaptation, and evolution of behavior patterns

Neuroscience/Biopsychology Focuses on genetics and physiological processes in the brain and nervous system

Sociocultural Focuses on social interactions and cultural determinants

What do psychologists do? Teach and conduct research in colleges and universities Provide mental health services (direct service) Conduct research or apply its findings in nonacademic settings Combination of the above

Specialties in Psychology Variety of perspectives All add to our understanding of psychology Diversity allows for a wide range of career options

Popular specialties in psychology Experimental psychologists - conduct lab studies of learning, motivation, emotion, sensation and perception, and cognition Educational and school psychologists - study the process of education; focus on the intellectual, social and emotional devt of children in the school environment

Popular Specialties Clinical psychology - specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of mental and behavioral disorders Counseling psychology - overlaps with clinical, but work with less severe problems

Popular Specialties Developmental - studies the course of human growth and development from conception to death Cognitive - examines higher order mental processes: thought, memory, intelligence, creativity and language

Popular Specialties Gender and/or cultural psychology - examines similarities and differences between men and women and between people of different cultures Industrial/organizational - applies psy to the workplace: personnel selection and evaluation, job satisfaction, group motivation

Popular Specialties Social - investigates the role of social forces and interpersonal behavior, including aggression, prejudice, love, attitudes