1. Introduction to Psychology
Lecture 01
Fall Semester

2. Course Outcome
At the end of the week’s activity, the students should be able to
Define psychology
Identify the different branches of psychology

3. Definition of Psychology
Originates from Greek work
Psyche : “soul” or “mind
Logos: Knowledge or study
The scientific study of behavior (what we do) and mental processes (thoughts, perceptions, beliefs, feelings)

4. Other definitions… The British Psychological Society
Psychology is the scientific study of people, the mind and behavior.
It is both a thriving academic discipline and a vital professional practice.
American Psychological Association
The scientific study of the behavior of individuals and their mental processes.

5. What is Psychology?
Psychology is both an applied and academic field that studies the human mind and behavior.
Research in psychology seeks to understand and explain how we think, act and feel.
Applications for psychology
mental health treatment,
performance enhancement,
self-help,
ergonomics
and many other areas affecting health and daily life.

6. School of Thoughts in Psychology
Structuralism
emerged as the first school of thought
some of the ideas associated with the structuralist school were advocated by the founder of the first psychology lab, Wilhelm Wundt.
One of Wundt's students, Edward B. Tichener, would later go on to formally establish and name structuralism,
According to the structuralists, human consciousness could be broken down into much smaller parts.
Using a process known as introspection, trained subjects would attempt to break down their responses and reactions to the most basic sensation and perceptions.

7. School of Thoughts in Psychology
Functionalism
formed as a reaction to the structuralism
was heavily influenced by the work of William James and the evolutionary theory of Charles Darwin
Functionalists sought to explain the mental processes in a more systematic and accurate manner.
Rather than focusing on the elements of consciousness, functionalists focused on the purpose of consciousness and behavior.
Functionalism also emphasized individual differences, which had a profound impact on education.

8. School of Thoughts in Psychology
Psychoanalysis
Sigmund Freud was the founder of psychoanalysis and the psychodynamic approach to psychology.
This school of thought emphasized the influence of the unconscious mind on behavior.
Freud believed that the human mind was composed of three elements:
the id,
the ego,
and the superego.

9. School of Thoughts in PsychologyId
The personality component made up of unconscious psychic energy that works to satisfy basic urges, needs and desires.
Ego
The part of personality that mediates the demands of the id, the superego and reality.
The ego prevents us from acting on our basic urges (created by the id), but also works to achieve a balance with our moral and idealistic standards (created by the superego).
Superego
The component of personality composed of our internalized ideals that we have acquired from our parents and from society.
The superego works to suppress the urges of the id and tries to make the ego behave morally rather than realistically.

10. School of Thoughts in Psychology
Behaviorism
founded by John B. Watson
based on the belief that behaviors can be measured, trained, and changed
also known as behavioral psychology
a theory of learning based upon the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning.
Conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. Behaviorists believe that our responses to environmental stimuli shapes our behaviors.

11. School of Thoughts in Psychology
There are two major types of conditioning:
Classical conditioning
is a technique used in behavioral training in which a naturally occurring stimulus is paired with a response.
Next, a previously neutral stimulus is paired with the naturally occurring stimulus.
Eventually, the previously neutral stimulus comes to evoke the response without the presence of the naturally occurring stimulus.
The two elements are then known as the conditioned stimulus and the conditioned response.
Operant conditioning
sometimes referred to as instrumental conditioning
is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior.
Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence for that behavior.

12. School of Thoughts in Psychology
Humanism
focused on each individual's potential and stressed the importance of growth and self-actualization.
The fundamental belief of humanistic psychology is that people are innately good and that mental and social problems result from deviations from this natural tendency.
self-actualization, creativity and individuality and related topics were the central theme of this new approach

13. School of Thoughts in Psychology
Cognitivism
involves in mental processes including how people think, perceive, remember and learn.
related to other disciplines including neuroscience, philosophy and linguistics.
The core focus is on how people acquire, process and store information.
practical applications such as improving memory, increasing decision-making accuracy and structuring educational curricula to enhance learning

14. School of Thoughts in Psychology
The term "cognitive psychology" was first used in by American psychologist Ulric Neisser in his book Cognitive Psychology.
According to Neisser, cognition involves "all processes by which the sensory input is transformed, reduced, elaborated, stored, recovered, and used.
It is concerned with these processes even when they operate in the absence of relevant stimulation, as in images and hallucinations

15. Two major areas of focus
Academic psychology
focuses on the study of different sub-topics within psychology including personality, social behavior and human development.
These psychologists conduct basic research that seeks to expand our theoretical knowledge
Applied psychology
focuses on the use of different psychological principles to solve real world problems.
Examples of applied areas of psychology include forensic psychology, ergonomics and industrial-organizational psychology.
Many other psychologists work as therapists, helping people overcome mental, behavioral and emotional disorders.

16. Other areas of Psychology..
Abnormal Psychology
the study of abnormal behavior and psychopathology.
This specialty area is focused on research and treatment of a variety of mental disorders
Biological Psychology
also known as biopsychology
studies how biological processes influence the mind and behavior.
This area is closely linked to neuroscience and utilizes tools such as MRI and PET scans to look at brain injury or brain abnormalities.
Clinical Psychology
focused on the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.

17. Other areas of Psychology..
Cognitive Psychology
the study of human thought processes and cognitions.
Cognitive psychologists study topics such as attention, memory, perception, decision-making, problem-solving and language acquisition.
Comparative Psychology
the branch of psychology concerned with the study of animal behavior.
This type of research can lead to a deeper and broader understanding of human psychology.
Developmental Psychology
an area that looks at human growth and development over the lifespan.
Theories often focus on the development of cognitive abilities, morality, social functioning, identity and other life areas.

18. Other areas of Psychology..
Forensic Psychology
an applied field focused on using psychological research and principles in the legal and criminal justice system.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology
a field that uses psychological research to enhance work performance, select employee, improve product design and enhance usability.
Personality Psychology
looks at the various elements that make up individual personalities.

19. Other areas of Psychology..
School Psychology
the branch of psychology that works within the educational system to help children with emotional, social and academic issues.
Social Psychology
a discipline that uses scientific methods to study social influence, social perception and social interaction.
Social psychology studies diverse subjects including group behavior, social perception, leadership, nonverbal behavior, conformity, aggression and prejudice.

20. Health Psychology
a specialty area that focuses on how biology, psychology, behavior and social factors influence health and illness.
focused on promoting health as well as the prevention and treatment of disease and illness.

21. Health Psychology Current Issues in Health Psychology:
Stress reduction
Weight management
Smoking cessation
Improving daily nutrition
Reducing risky sexual behaviors
Hospice care and grief counseling for terminal patients

22. Health Psychology
Understanding the Biosocial Model in Health Psychology:
the main approach used within health psychology is known as the biosocial model.
According to this view, illness and health are the result of a combination of biological, psychological and social factors.

23. Health Psychology
Understanding the Biosocial Model in Health Psychology:
Biological factors include inherited personality traits and genetic conditions.
Psychological factors involve lifestyle, personality characteristics and stress levels.
Social factors include such things as social support systems, family relationships and cultural beliefs.

24. Health Psychology
Clinical Health Psychology attempts to provide answers to the following questions:
What is the relationship between emotional health, wellness and physical illness?
What is the connection between the body, mind and environment?
What role does psychology play in health and illness?
How should a particular illness be treated?

25. Health Psychology Health psychology
rooted in the belief that everyone deserves appropriate medical and psychological care when daily habits, career, or family life problems contribute to a decrease in physical health and/or psychological well-being.

26. Application of Psychology in Nursing
Nurses and psychologist seek to understand the health needs of the people they work with.
help to change their behaviors, thoughts and feelings to enhance a person’s well-being
help develop the person’s ability to be more independent in any area of their life
Nurses use psychological research to enhance nursing practice.