1. Chapter 1 Introducing Psychology

2. What Is Psychology? Psychology Psyche: Mind Logos: Knowledge or study
Definition: The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Behavior: can be directly observed (crying)
Mental Processes: cannot be directly observed (remembering); private, internal

3. What Might a Psychologist Research?
Development: Course of human growth and development
Learning: How and why it occurs in humans and animals
Personality: Traits, motivations, and individual differences
Sensation and Perception: How we come to know the world through our five senses

4. What Might a Psychologist Research?(cont’d)
Social: Human and social behavior
Cultural: How culture affects human behavior
Cognitive: How reasoning, problem solving, and other mental processes relate to human behavior
Evolutionary: How our behavior is guided by patterns that evolved during human history

5. Figure 1.3a
FIGURE 1.3 (a) Specialties in psychology. Percentages are approximate. Any particular psychologist might do several of these activities during a work week (APA, 1998). As you can see, most psychologists specialize in applied areas and work in applied settings.

6. Figure 1.3b
FIGURE 1.3. (b) Where psychologists work. Any particular psychologist might do several of these activities during a work week (APA, 1998). As you can see, most psychologists specialize in applied areas and work in applied settings.

7. Figure 1.3c
FIGURE 1.3 (c) This chart shows the main activities psychologists do at work. Any particular psychologist might do several of these activities during a work week (APA, 1998). As you can see, most psychologists specialize in applied areas and work in applied settings.

8. What Are the Goals of Psychology?
1. Description of Behaviors: Naming and classifying various observable, measurable behaviors
2. Understanding: The causes of behavior(s)
3. Prediction: Forecasting behavior accurately
4. Control: Altering conditions that influence behaviors
Positive Use: To control unwanted behaviors, (e.g., smoking, tantrums, etc.)
Negative Use: To control peoples’ behaviors without their knowledge

9. History of Psychology (Brief!): Beginnings
Wilhelm Wundt: “Father” of Psychology
1879: Set up first lab to study conscious experience
Stimulus: Any physical energy that affects the person and provokes a response
Introspection: Looking inward (i.e., examining and reporting your thoughts, feelings, etc.)
Wundt’s ideas brought to the U.S. and renamed Structuralism

10. History of Psychology: William James
William James (American) and Functionalism
How the mind functions to help us adapt to our environment
Functionalists admired Darwin and his theory of Natural Selection: Animals keep features through evolution that help them adapt to environments

11. Many Flavors of Psychologists
Psychologists: Usually have masters or doctorate. Trained in methods, knowledge, and theories of psychology.
Clinical Psychologists: Treat psychological problems or do research on therapies and mental illnesses
Counseling Psychologists: Treat milder problems, such as poor adjustment at work or at a school
Psychiatrists: MD; usually use medications to treat problems. Generally do not have extensive training in providing “talk” therapy.

12. Many Flavors of Psychologists (cont’d)
Psychoanalysts: Receive additional Freudian psychoanalytic training post-Ph.D. or M.D. at an institute.
Counselors: Advisers who help solve problems with marriage, career, school, or work
Psychiatric Social Workers: Many have masters degrees and perform psychotherapy.
Use social science principles.
Presently a very popular profession.
Not all psychologists perform therapy!