1. The scientific study of mind and behavior
Psychology *
The scientific study of mind and behavior

2. What makes psychology a science?
Scientific method *
the set of assumptions, rules, and procedures that scientists use to conduct empirical research
Empirical research *
collecting, organizing, and drawing conclusions from data
Data *
information collected through formal observation or measurement.

3. More to come on this topic in chapter two.

4. Levels of Explanation in Psychology
Psychologists understand behavior at different levels, from lower-level biological factors to higher-level cultural factors.
Behavior has multiple, interactive causes.
Culture/
Society
Personality/
Interpersonal
Biology/
Genetics
Inter-action
Behavior

5. Levels of Explanation: Depression
Social/Cultural
(gender roles, unemployment)
Personal/Interpersonal
Individual thought process
Marital relationship
Biological /Genetic
Genes, Hormones,
Neurotransmitters
Interaction
Depression

6. Try it: Choose an emotion or behavior. Fill in the Blanks
Social/Cultural
_________________
Personal/Interpersonal
_______________________
Biological /Genetic
__________________
Interaction
________

7. Levels of explanation Why did _____ do _____?
There is no single explanation for most mental processes or behaviors.
Levels of explanation
Provide a focus for research
Provide a direction for application
Provide a framework for critical thinking

8. Perspectives

9. Evolutionary Psychology *
Key Concepts:
Fitness for Survival
Reproduction
Natural selection
Adaptation

10. Biological Psychology
Interaction between biology and behavior: Brain Nervous system Hormones Genetics Chemicals, nutrition Exercise, stress

11. Psychodynamic Perspective
Unconscious thoughts, feelings, behavior.
Sigmund Freud, M.D. Video
Psychoanalysis – treatment based on psychodynamic (psychoanalytic) theory

12. Humanistic Psychology
Key Concepts:
Free Will
Self Concept
Self Esteem
Self-Actualization
To be cont. (ch.7)

13. Behaviorism Key Concepts Focus on observable behavior.
Baby is a Blank Slate
Experiences shape behavior.
Behavior is predictable
Control behavior by controlling environment
Watson Video

14. Cognitive Psychology Mental Processes, including Thinking Perception
Memory
Judgment
Piaget video

15. Information Processing
Cognitive Theory
Computer metaphor
Input, encoding, storage, processing, output (retrieval)
Programs (e.g. language)
Limits of this metaphor

16. Sociocultural Approach
Humans influenced by:
Social situations
Culture
Key Concepts:
Conformity
Social Norms
Individualism v. Collectivism

17. Can You Label These Perspectives?1 3 2 4 8 7 6 5

18. Practitioners Psychiatrists – M.D., can prescribe drugs
Psychologists – Ph.D. or Psy.D.
Many subfields of psychology Video