What is Psychology? The scientific study of behavior and mental processes since it is a science, all research in psychology is based on the scientific method Originated from the fields of biology and philosophy Psychiatrists CAN prescribe medication; psychologists CANNOT since the early 2000s, some states have begun allowing psychologists to prescribe mental-health-related drugs, but this is relatively rare

Careers in Psychology Biological Psychologist Cognitive Psychologist focuses on structure and functions of the brain, nerves, body, and sensations examines the connection between the brain and the mind Cognitive Psychologist studies advanced brain processes like language, thinking, perception, and problem-solving

Studying how often teens text is interesting, but that’s about it. Careers in Psychology Research Psychologist conducts experimental research studies Basic Research: aims to enhance/grow psychology’s knowledge base Applied Research: “practical application”- issues solving Studying how often teens text is interesting, but that’s about it. Research on chiropractic therapies has a practical purpose to a psychological problem. Basic Research Applied Research

Careers in Psychology Personality Psychologist Clinical Psychologist studies differences in people’s persistent traits over time, such as extraversion or agreeableness Clinical Psychologist assess and treat disorders through coping strategies and functioning adaptations Counseling Psychologist aids personal improvement (mental, emotional, and behavioral)

Careers in Psychology Social Psychologist studies how people affect one another and group dynamics Industrial/Organizational Psychologist applies psychological techniques/methods to improve human behavior in the workforce examines how to prepare employees, increase synergy, make products, etc. one of the more lucrative fields in psychology Human Factors Psychology is a subfield that focuses on making machines more user-friendly

Careers in Psychology Forensic Psychologist Evolutionary Psychologist applies psychology to the field of criminal conduct studies court issues, criminal minds, insanity Evolutionary Psychologist identifies behaviors that are a result of genetic inheritance

Careers in Psychology Environmental Psychologist studies interactions between people and their environment Social-Cultural Psychologist compares and contrasts psychological functioning among different cultures

Careers in Psychology Sports Psychologist Developmental Psychologist incorporates psychological techniques to improve performance in sports and other physical activities examines motivation techniques, optimal training methods, visualization, etc. growing field in psychology Developmental Psychologist studies changing abilities in people as they grow and develop throughout the lifespan

Careers in Psychology Educational Psychologist studies influences on learning and teaching and applies strategies to make education more productive School Psychologists are a more specific subfield that diagnose and treat cognitive, social, or emotional problems in students Psychometric Psychologist quantitatively studies the measurement of human abilities, attitudes, and traits ties into all the previous fields

Enduring Issues in Psychology What issues are the “hot topics” in psychology today? Stability vs. Change as an individual grows, does he/she tend to stay the same or change as he/she develops? Diversity vs. Universality do people share more differences or similarities in a population?

Enduring Issues in Psychology Nature vs. Nurture the longstanding controversy over whether biological inheritance or experiential upbringing plays a greater role in an individual’s development nature means genetics nurture means environment twin studies often used to examine this issue dominant view: “nurture works on what nature endows…”

Nature-Nurture Debate Does nature or nurture play a more prominent role in determining the following topics? Violent Behavior Nature Nurture

Nature-Nurture Debate Does nature or nurture play a more prominent role in determining the following topics? Obesity Nature Nurture

Nature-Nurture Debate Does nature or nurture play a more prominent role in determining the following topics? Drug Addiction Nature Nurture

Nature-Nurture Debate Does nature or nurture play a more prominent role in determining the following topics? Height Nature Nurture

Nature-Nurture Debate Does nature or nurture play a more prominent role in determining the following topics? Intelligence Nature Nurture

Nature-Nurture Debate Does nature or nurture play a more prominent role in determining the following topics? Gender Roles Nature Nurture