Psychology: Introduction and Major Perspectives What do you know about Psychology?

What is Psychology? Psychology – scientific discipline that studies behavior and mental processes. Why do we do what we do? Why are some things scary? How do you respond to stress? Is Psych a science or pseudoscience? Pseudoscience – a practice that pretends to be a science in order to claim legitimacy Usually lacks scientific method Psychology uses the scientific method but can you really study a mental process? By the end of this year, you’ll be able to answer this question.

Major Perspectives of Psychology Behaviorism – focuses on the role of learning in explaining observable behavior. Behavior is learned through environmental factors like rewards and punishments Why don’t you put your hand on a hot stove? If a toddler throws a temper tantrum and gets the toy he wants, what does he learn?

Biological (Neuroscience) Examines the relationship between biological processes and behavior. How do heredity, hormones, and your brain impact your behavior? Some factors such as schizophrenia and depression have been linked to heredity. Intelligence, personality, and abnormal behavior have biological links. Phineas Gage (1848)

Socio-cultural Study of how behavior and attitudes are shaped by social and cultural influences. Ethnicity, gender, lifestyle, income & culture Are their gender differences in basic abilities in math or verbal skills? How does your culture impact your reaction to certain events? What if you moved to another country?

Cognitive Study the mental processes by which we acquire knowledge – how we learn, solve problems etc. Placing value on objects or goals (like good grades) & what you expect about the outcome of your behavior If I get a good grade, then I will get into college How do you study someone’s private thoughts?

Psychoanalysis Emphasizes the role of unconscious motives and conflicts in determining behavior Freud Unconscious – not a result of active thought Abnormal behavior patterns are rooted in unconscious conflicts from childhood.

Humanistic Study that believes that free will and conscious choice are essential aspects of human nature No two people are alike Emphasizes the importance of self-awareness Be the real you Down side – completely subjective and can’t be scientifically measured

Older Perspectives in Psychology Functionalism – focuses on how behavior helps people adapt to the demands placed on them by their environment. Natural selection of behavior Adaptive behaviors become stronger and habitual, less useful ones disappear Structuralism – study of how individuals consciously react to a stimulus (light and sound) Horror movie background music Flashing lights

Real Life Case Study Each student will join the group assigned to their perspective Reading on Mary Bell the 11 year old serial killer As you read, examine the story from your assigned Psychological perspective to determine what caused her to become a serial killer. Afterwards groups will present their findings to their classmates.