1. Chapter 1 WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY
HOLT Psychology
4/25/2019
Chapter 1 WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY
Section 1: Why Study Psychology?
Section 2: What Psychologists Do
Section 3: A History of Psychology
Section 4: Contemporary Perspectives
Chapter 1

2. Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Chapter 1
What is Psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Behavior is any action that people can observe or measure.
Cognitive processes are mental processes.

3. GOALS OF PSYCHOLOGY Observe Describe behavior Explain Predict Control
Chapter 1
Section 1: Why Study Psychology?
Question: What are the goals of psychology, and how is psychology a science?
GOALS OF PSYCHOLOGY
Observe
Describe behavior
Explain
Predict
Control

4. THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY
Chapter 1
Section 1: Why Study Psychology?
Question: What are the goals of psychology, and how is psychology a science?
THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology is a social science but has its foundation in the natural sciences. It deals with the structure of human society and interactions of individuals who make up society.

5. Chapter 1
Section 2: What Psychologists Do
Question: What do psychologists do, and what are their areas of specialization?
PSYCHOLOGISTS
Test ideas using various research methods such as surveys and experimentation
Consult and teach

6. AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
Chapter 1
Section 2: What Psychologists Do
Question: What do psychologists do, and what are their areas of specialization?
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
Clinical – the largest group – treat psychological problems
Counseling – treat adjustment problems
School – deal with students who have problems that interfere with learning
Educational Psychologist – focus on course planning and instructional methods

7. AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (continued)
Chapter 1
Section 2: What Psychologists Do
Question: What do psychologists do, and what are their areas of specialization?
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (continued)
Personality Psychologist – identify characteristics or traits
Social Psychologist – concerned with people’s behavior in social situations
Experimental Psychologist – conduct research into basic processes

8. AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (continued)
Chapter 1
Section 2: What Psychologists Do
Question: What do psychologists do, and what are their areas of specialization?
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (continued)
Industrial and Organizational Psychologist – focus on people in work and business
Environmental Psychologist – focus on ways in which people influence and are influenced by physical environment
Consumer Psychologist – study the behavior of shoppers to explain and predict behavior

9. AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (continued)
Chapter 1
Section 2: What Psychologists Do
Question: What do psychologists do, and what are their areas of specialization?
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (continued)
Forensic Psychologist – are concerned with how psychological problems give rise to criminal behavior
Health Psychologist – study the ways in which behavior and mental processes are related to physical health

10. Question: How has the study of psychology developed over time?
Chapter 1
Section 3: A History of Psychology
Question: How has the study of psychology developed over time?
PSYCHOLOGY DEVELOPED OVER TIME
Began in ancient Greece
Revived during the scientific advances of the 1500s, 1600s and 1700s
Contributions were made by modern psychologists such as William James, B.F. Skinner, and Sigmund Freud

11. History of Psychology Continued:
Chapter 1
History of Psychology Continued:
Even though modern psychology is a relatively new science, there has always been an interest in finding out why people think and behave the way that they do.
In fact, there is evidence that Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle studied psychology more than 2000 years ago.

12. Chapter 1
History Continued……
Socrates used introspection—or “looking within”—to build on his theories on psychology.
Aristotle took these ideas further and actually used observation to study and prove his theories. He believed that there was a universal law that motivated people to seek pleasure and to avoid pain.

13. Chapter 1
History Continued…..
While many ancient Greeks attributed psychological problems (confusion and bizarre behavior) to supernatural forces (gods punished people for wrongdoings), the Greek physician Hippocrates theorized that such problems were due to brain abnormalities.

14. Explain the test for Devil possession (ie…pure metals)
Chapter 1
Middle Ages
Explain the test for Devil possession (ie…pure metals)

15. The birth of modern psychology:
Chapter 1
The birth of modern psychology:
The scientific approach (evidence based) led to the birth of modern psychology in the 1800’s.
The first experimental psychology lab was established in Leipzig, Germany by Wilhelm Wundt who used introspection to test his theories.

16. Modern Psychology Continued:
Chapter 1
Modern Psychology Continued:
Wundt, father of structuralism, held that consciousness breaks down into objective sensations (senses – sight and taste) and subjective feelings (emotional responses and mental images).
Later, William James established the functionalist school of thought. Functionalists were concerned with how mental processes help organisms adapt to their environment.

17. Chapter 1
Functionalism
Functionalist proposed that adaptive behavior patterns are learned and maintained because they are successful. (ie.. studying leads to good grades) Less adaptive behavior patterns are dropped, or discontinued. (ie.. date- turned down)
Adaptive (successful) actions are repeated until they become habits. Through repetition and success they become automatic.

18. Modern Psychology Continued:
Chapter 1
Modern Psychology Continued:
BF Skinner (Reinforcement) – Skinner Box (rats) Animals and people behave in a certain way because they have been reinforced for doing so. Reinforcement is the process by which a stimulus (food) increases the chance that the behavior (pressing lever) will occur again.

19. Chapter 1
Skinner Box

20. Chapter 1

21. Modern Psychology Continued:
Chapter 1
Modern Psychology Continued:
Gestalt psychology – based on insight. Insight is the reorganization of perceptions that enables an individual to solve a problem.

22. Chapter 1

23. Modern Psychology Continued:
Chapter 1
Modern Psychology Continued:
Sigmund Freud (psychoanalysis) emphasized the importance of unconscious motives and internal conflicts in determining human behavior.
Studied human behavior through consultations
Freudian slip “interpret” a slip of the tongue
“meaning” of a dream

24. Modern Psychology Continued:
Chapter 1
Modern Psychology Continued:
Freud’s theory was people’s behavior is aimed at satisfying unconscious urges, even though some are socially inappropriate or unacceptable. We often fool ourselves about the real motives for our behavior.
Ie… doing for others

25. Biological Perspective
Chapter 1
Question: What are the six main contemporary perspectives in psychology?
Biological Perspective
-emphasizes the influence of biology on our behavior.
-certain parts of our brain are highly active when we listen to music, other parts when we solve math problems, other parts are active with psychological disorders.

26. Chapter 1

27. Cognitive Perspective
Chapter 1
Question: What are the six main contemporary perspectives in psychology?
Cognitive Perspective
-role played by thoughts in determining behavior.
-investigate the ways in which people perceive information and make mental images of the world.
- people’s behavior is influenced by their values, interpretations, and their choices.

28. Chapter 1

29. Chapter 1

30. Humanistic Perspective
Chapter 1
Question: What are the six main contemporary perspectives in psychology?
Humanistic Perspective
- considers people’s personal experiences to be the most important aspect of psychology.
-believe that we are free to choose our own behavior.
- get people in touch with their feelings, manage negative impulses, and realize their potential.

31. Psychoanalytic Perspective
Chapter 1
Question: What are the six main contemporary perspectives in psychology?
Psychoanalytic Perspective
- stresses the influence of unconscious forces of human behavior. (Sigmund Freud’s Theory)
- role of unconscious sexual and aggressive impulses.
- Pent-up aggression demands outlets. (ie. Sports)

32. Learning Perspective Chapter 1
Question: What are the six main contemporary perspectives in psychology?
Learning Perspective
- behavior is learned either from direct experiences or by observing others.
- people act a particular way when they recognize that the circumstance calls for that behavior.

33. Chapter 1

34. Sociocultural Perspective
Chapter 1
Question: What are the six main contemporary perspectives in psychology?
Sociocultural Perspective
- ethnicity, gender, culture, and socioeconomic status has a significant impact on human behavior.