1. The History & Scope of Psychology

2. Psychology: A Definition
The science of behavior and mental processes.

3. Psychology’s Big Issues
Stability v. Change
Continuity v. Discontinuity
Nature v. Nurture

4. Stability v. Change
As the years pass, do we change or remain the same?
Do we become adults or are we always just big kids?
Personality traits, physical appearance, sense of humor, tastes, etc…

5. Continuity v. Discontinuity
The principle that people tend to follow in whatever direction they’ve been led. Create “smooth” paths.
Example: Geese flying in a V formation.
Does growth occur gradually or in stages?

6. Nature v. Nurture Biology versus Experience
Am I the way I am because I was born that way or because of my surroundings?
Can I ever be like these people, or does nature give me limitations?

7. Psychology’s Perspectives/Approaches
The Big Seven

8. Neuroscience Perspective
Focus on how the physical body and brain creates our emotions, memories and sensory experiences.
Focuses primarily on the activities of the nervous system, the brain, hormones, and genetics

9. Evolutionary Perspective
Focuses on Darwinism.
We behave the way we do because we inherited those behaviors.
Thus, those behaviors must have helped ensure our ancestors survival.
How could this behavior ensured Homer’s ancestors survival?

10. Psychodynamic Perspective
Fathered by Sigmund Freud.
Our behavior comes from unconscious drives.
Usually stemming from our childhood.
What might a psychoanalyst say is the reason someone always needs to be chewing gum?

11. Behavioral Perspective
Focuses on our OBSERVABLE behaviors.
Only cares about the behaviors that impair our living, and attempts to change them.
If you bit your fingernails when you were nervous, a behaviorist would not focus on calming you down, but rather focus on how to stop you from biting your nails.

12. Cognitive Perspective
Focuses on how we think (or encode information)
How do we see the world?
How did we learn to act sad or happy at events?
Cognitive Therapist attempt to change the way you think.
Meet girl
Get Rejected by girl
Or get back on the horse
Did you learn to be depressed

13. Social-Cultural Perspective
Focus on how your culture effects your behavior.
Even in the same high school, behaviors can change in accordance to the various subcultures.

14. Humanistic Perspective
Focuses on positive growth
Attempt to seek self-actualization
Therapists use active listening and unconditional positive regard.
Mr. Rogers would have made a great Humanistic Therapist!!!

15. Psychology’s Subfields
Developmental Psychology
Educational Psychology
Personality Psychology
Social Psychology
Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Counseling/Clinical Psychology
Psychiatrists- medical doctors licensed to prescribe drugs for disorders.