1. Intro to Psychology

2. What is psychology? Science of behavior and mental processes
Behavior = anything an organism does
Mental processes - sensations, perceptions, dreams, thoughts, beliefs and feelings
Science - a way of asking and answering questions

3. Three Issues in Psychology
Nature vs. Nurture
Are we born with our traits (nature) or do they develop through experience (nurture)?
Ex: gender differences, intelligence

4. Issues -cont- Rationality vs. Irrationality Stability vs. Change
In some ways we are smarter than a computer (rational) but in others we are prone to bias and error (irrational)
Stability vs. Change
Do our individual traits persist as we age (stability) or do our personalities change in different situations (change)?

5. Subfields of psychology
Biological - links between brain and mind
Developmental - changing abilities from womb to tomb
Cognitive - how we perceive, think and solve problems
Educational - influences on teaching and learning
Personality - persistent traits
Social - how we view and affect one another

6. Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist
Counseling psychologist - helps people cope with life
Clinical psychologist - assess and treats mental, emotional and behavioral disorders
Psychiatrist - medical doctor who can prescribe drugs and treat physical causes of psychological disorders