2. accurate and dependable shows us that human behavior is complex
psychology is
practical
a way of thinking
scientific
supported by evidence
accurate and dependable
shows us that human behavior is complex
leads to understanding and compassion

3. psychology:
the science that studies behavior and the physiological and cognitive processes that underlie it
the profession that applies the accumulated knowledge of this science to practical problems

4. 7 themes psychology is: empirical theoretically diverse
evolves in a sociohistorical context

5. behavior is complex and determined by multiple causes
behavior is shaped by cultural heritage
heredity and environment jointly influence behavior
people’s experience of the world is highly subjective

6. structuralism and functionalism
psychoanalytic perspective
behaviorism perspective
the humanism perspective
the biological perspective
the evolutionary perspective
the biopsychosocial perspective

7. Psychology’s Early Beginnings
psychology’s “parents”: philosophy and physiology
Wilhelm Wundt ( )
first formal lab, first scientific journals
psychology as a science, modeled on physics/chemistry
primary subject matter: consciousness
consciousness: the awareness of immediate experience
psychology: the scientific study of conscious awareness

8. Structuralism and Functionalism
Edward Titchener, structuralism
William James, functionalism
structuralism: analyze consciousness into its basic elements, investigate how those elements are related
fundamental components of consciousness: sensations, feelings, images
method: introspection: the systematic self-observation of one’s own conscious experience
Functionalism: what the mind and consciousness are
Structuralism: how the mind and consciousness work

9. functionalism: investigate the function or purpose of consciousness
what are the evolved functions of our thoughts and feelings:
natural selection: heritable characteristics that provide a survival/reproductive advantage are more likely than other characteristics to be passed on (“selected” over time) to subsequent generations
why was consciousness “selected”?

10. Freud on the Unconscious
1859 – 1939
the unconscious: thoughts, memories and desires that are well below the surface of conscious awareness but still exert great influence on behavior
premise: psychological disturbances are caused personal conflicts existing at an unconscious/subconscious level
repression as a defense mechanism
psychoanalytic theory: explain personality, motivation and mental disorders by focusing on unconscious determinants of behavior

11. Behaviorism John Watson
behaviorism: theoretical perspective based on the premise that “scientific” psychology should study only observable behavior
radical change: abandonment of the study of consciousness
justification: the scientific method requires verifiability, which requires objective observation
behavior: any overt, observable response or activity by an organism

12. behavior and the nature vs. nurture controversy:
people are made, not born
downplayed the importance of heredity
strong environmental slant/bias
conditioning: how we learn
stimulus/response bonds
response/outcome bonds
relate overt behaviors (responses) to observable events in the environment (stimuli)

13. B.F. Skinner and Behaviorism
1953
return to strict focus on observable behavior
importance of environmental factors: organisms tend to repeat responses that lead to positive outcomes and they tend to avoid responses that lead to neutral or negative outcomes (Thorndike’s Law of Effect)

14. Skinner: learning principles can be applied to complex human behavior
major implication: your behavior is not controlled by your conscious decisions
people are controlled by their environment
free will?

15. Humanism Carl Rogers (1902 – 1987)
critique of psychoanalytic theory and behavioral theory
dehumanizing
humanism: theoretical orientation that emphasizes the unique qualities of humans, especially their freedom and their potential for personal growth
optimistic view of human nature and the human experience

16. Rogers: human behavior is governed by “self-concept”
congruence
fundamental drive toward personal growth and realization of potential
humanism: a different picture of human nature than that proposed by psychoanalytic and behaviorist perspectives
person-centered therapy: innovative treatment of psychological problems and disorders

17. psychology’s modern history
gradual maturation into a research-based science and a respected scientific discipline
growth into a multi-faceted scientific and professional enterprise
scientific and practical sides
applied research: the branch of psychology concerned with everyday, practical problems
clinical psychology: the branch of psychology concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of psychological problems and disorders

18. the cognitive perspective
renewed interest in 19th century roots of psychology, emphasis on consciousness
cognition: the mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge; thinking or conscious experience
the cognitive perspective: psychology must include the study of internal mental events to fully understand behavior
Piaget, Chomsky, Simon
putting the psyche back in psychology

19. the biological perspective: much of human behavior can be explained in terms of the bodily structures and biochemical processes that allow organisms to behave

20. natural selection: favors reproductive success
evolutionary psychology: examines behavioral processes in terms of their adaptive value for members of a species over the course of many generations
natural selection: favors reproductive success
1960s: breakthroughs in field of evolutionary biology
increased research on mating preferences, jealousy, aggression, sexual behavior, language, decision making, personality, etc
premise: many patterns of human behavior are also adaptations that have been shaped by natural selection

21. positive psychology: use theory and research to better understand the positive, adaptive, creative, and fulfilling aspects of human existence
positive subjective experience/emotions
positive individual traits
positive institutions
Martin Seligman

22. reality: has been a largely Western enterprise
cultural diversity
a goal of psychology: to identify general principles of behavior that would apply to all of humanity
reality: has been a largely Western enterprise
cost: cross-cultural, non-institutional research is difficult and expensive
fear of cultural stereotyping

23. recent attention to cultural variables as determinants of behavior
globalization
concern for credibility
sociopolitical movements: civil rights, women’s rights, LGBT rights
move to incorporate cultural factors into theory and research
can earlier findings be generalized to other/all cultures?
how is culture transmitted?
how does culture influence opinion?
how do people deal with cultural change?
how do groups deal with prejudice, discrimination, racism?

24. psychological research today: characterized by specialization
(1) developmental (2) social (3) experimental (4) physiological (5) cognitive (6) personality (7) psychometrics (8) educational (9)health
professional specialties: (1) clinical (2) counseling (3) school (4) industrial/organizational (5) clinical neuropsychology (6) forensic