1. What is psychology?
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

2. What makes psychology a science?
Empirical method: involves gathering evidence through careful observation, experimentation, or measurement
Scientific method: involves replication of research results

3. The birth of psychology
Roots stem from:
Philosophy
Natural sciences

4. Natural Sciences Charles Darwin (1809- 1882) Natural selection:
Organisms best adapted to their world are most likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on characteristics to their offspring [basis of evolutionary psychology]

5. Philosophy William James (1842-1910) Functionalism
Early approach that emphasized the function or purpose of behavior and consciousness

6. Psychology Wilhelm Wundt (1832- 1920)
Structuralism: understanding the conscious experience through introspection
1st psych laboratory
Trained introspection: An objective examination of ones own conscious experience

7. Psychology
Sigmund Freud ( )
Psychoanalytic theory: A theory of personality and a method of psychotherapy focused on the role of the unconscious in affecting conscious behavior

8. Some Current Perspectives
in psychology

9. The biological perspective
Psychological approach that focuses on how bodily events affect behavior, feelings, and thoughts
This perspective involves
Hormones
Brain chemistry
Heredity
Evolutionary influences

10. The learning perspective
Emphasizes how the environment and experiences affect the behavior of any organism
Behaviorism (1900ish)
Social cognitive learning theory (1960s)
Environment  Behavior

11. Humanism Emphasizes the potential good in all people
Carl Rogers, shown in this portrait, developed a client-centered therapy method that has been influential in clinical settings. (credit: "Didius"/Wikimedia Commons)

12. The cognitive perspective
Psychological approach that emphasizes what goes on in people’s heads
This perspective involves
Problem solving
Perception
Attention
Remembering
Thinking
Perception test:

13. The sociocultural perspective
Psychological approach that emphasizes social and cultural forces outside the individual
This perspective involves
Social psychology or the study of rules, roles, groups, and relationships
Cultural psychology or the study of cultural norms, values, and expectations

14. Eclectic psychology
Psychological approach that selects the best features of each approach, depending on the problem at hand.

15. What psychologists do

16. Industrial/organizational
Research and teaching
Examples:
Health
Personality
Education
Development
Industrial/organizational
Basic research is done for the sake of gaining knowledge
Applied research has practical uses in society

17. Health and mental health services
Counseling psychologists help people deal with problems associated with everyday life. School psychologists work with parents, teachers, and students to enhance student performance. Clinical psychologists diagnose, treat, and study mental or emotional problems.
Psychotherapist: Most general term for anyone who does any sort of therapy—licensed or unlicensed
Psychoanalyst: An individual who does a specific form of Freudian therapy called psychoanalysis
Psychiatrist (not a psychologist!): Medical doctor with a specialty in treating unwanted behavior with medicine

18. Psychologists in other settings
Examples: Sports Consumer issues Advertising Environmental issues Public policy Military Animal behavior Forensics