1. What is Psychology?

2. Definition
Psychology is the rigorous and systematic study of mental processes and behaviour.

3. Psychology and the Learner Profile
Read the IB Mission Statement and the Learner Profile
For each of the attributes, how do you think Psychology helps in your development as a learner?

4. Introductory questions
Why are there so many self help books being published?
What kind of “Psychology” do most of these books represent?
What is the difference between this type of “Psychology” and scientific psychology?

5. Introduction - What is Psychology?
Human beings want to understand why people behave the way they do
We want to discover the causes of behaviour, to explain it and even to control it
Psychology helps us understand human actions – beliefs, motives, love, childhood experiences
Sometimes people do this without psychological knowledge – “folk psychology” or “common-sense psychology”
People sometimes use psychological vocabulary and ideas without knowing their origin
Psychology is complex and the answers to explain human behaviour are not easy
There are no easy solutions to human problems as the popular psychological literature makes us believe

6. Definition
Psychology is the rigorous and systematic study of mental processes and behaviour.
It is draws on concepts, methods and understandings from a number of different disciplines.
There is no single approach that would describe or explain mental processes and behaviour on its own as human beings are complex animals, with highly developed frontal lobes, cognitive abilities, involved social structures and cultures.
The study of behaviour and mental processes requires
A multidisciplinary approach
The use of a variety of research techniques
The recognition that behaviour is not a static phenomenon, it is adaptive, and as the world, societies and challenges facing societies change, so does behaviour.

7. Psychology as a scientific discipline

8. Psychology as a scientific discipline
Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes and behaviour and how these are affected by internal processes and the environment
There is disagreement on what should be studied and how
Scientific – systematic and controlled study of human behaviour hoping
To establish cause-effect relationships
To describe behaviour
Mental processes – covert behaviours
Behaviour – Overt behaviours
Environment
Nature vs. Nurture – contribution of both

9. How is scientific psychology different from pop-psych?

10. Differences with pop-psych
Popularised psychological theories and concepts that may not be based on scientific psychology
Sometimes serious psychologists write for the general public
Pop psych books and articles tend to be oversimplified, based on anecdotal accounts and popular belief
Use psychological terminology that is taken out of context; scientific psychology is based on documented research evidence
Pop psych is based on unsupported claims, beliefs and popular opinion

11. Scientific Psychology
Popular Psychology
Based on documented research evidence
Popularised psychological theories and concepts not based on scientific psychology
Systematic and controlled study of human behaviour hoping to describe it and establish cause-effect relationships that can be quite complex
Unsupported claims, beliefs and popular opinion
Builds coherent theory on human behaviour (covert and overt) taking into account internal and external process
Oversimplified, based on anecdotal accounts and popular belief
Psychological terminology is contextualised within theories
Psychological terminology that is taken out of context
Psychology is complex and the answers to explain human behaviour are not easy
Makes us believe that there are easy solutions to human problems

12. Aims of IB Psychology
To develop an understanding of the biological, cognitive and sociocultural factors affecting mental processes and behaviour
To apply an understanding of the biological, cognitive and sociocultural factors affecting mental processes and behaviour to at least one applied area of study
To understand diverse methods of inquiry
To understand the importance of ethical practice in psychological research in general and observe ethical practice in their own inquiries
To ensure that ethical practices are upheld in all psychological inquiry and discussion
To develop an awareness of how psychological research can be applied to address real-world problems and promote positive change.