1. AP PSYCHOLOGY 4220

2. Advanced Placement Psychology 2006/2007 Slot C Lectures in Rom 110 55 minutes long; 5 classes / 7-day cycle. Text for the course: –Myres, David G., ed. Psychology, 7th edition, in Modules –Myres, David, G. Myres ed. Psychology 6 th in Modules Instructor: –Mr. Clar Button

3. Introduction to Psychology as a Science DEFINITION

4. PSYCHOLOGY The science that studies behavior and the physiological and cognitive processes that underlie it; and The profession that applies the accumulated knowledge of this science to practical problems

5. What does Psychology say about... ??? True or False ??? Spare the rod and spoil the child The squeaky wheel gets the grease Misery loves company Actions speak louder than words Beauty is only skin deep Familiarity breeds contempt Cry and you cry alone Marry in haste, repent at leisure

6. What does Psychology say about.. Misery loves company …………….…..TRUE Spare the rod and spoil the child…….FALSE The squeaky wheel gets the grease ……TRUE Actions speak louder than words..……. TRUE Beauty is only skin deep………………FALSE Cry and you cry alone………………….TRUE Marry in haste, repent at leisure ………TRUE Familarity breeds contempt …………FALSE

7. The Roots of Psychology

8. Introduction to Psychology as a Science PERSPECTIVES

9. SEVEN MAJOR THEMES OF THIS COURSE Psychology is empirical (research) Psychology is theoretically diverse Psychology evolves in a socio-historical context (where you sit determines where you stand Behavior is a product of multiple factors Behavior is shaped by our cultural heritage Heredity & environment both influence behavior Our experience and observations of the world are highly subjective

10. PSYCHOLOGY’s PERSPECTIVES - 1 Psychoanalytic unconscious motives and experiences in early childhood govern personality and mental disorders Humanistic humans are free, rational beings with the potential for personal growth, and they are fundamentally different from animals Biological an organism’s functioning can be explained in terms of the bodily structures and biochemical processes that underlie behavior Behavioural only observable events can be studied scientifically Cognitive human behavior cannot be fully understood without examining how people acquire, store and process information

11. PSYCHOLOGY’s PERSPECTIVES - 2 Neuroscience (biological) How the body and brain create emotions, memories and sensory experiences Evolutionary How natural selection favours traits that promote the perpetuation of one’s genes Behavioural genetics How much do our genes and our environment influence individual differences in behaviour Behaviour How we learn observable responses? Cognitive How we acquire, process, store and retrieve information in the brain Socio-cultural How behaviour and thinking vary across situations and cultures

12. Complimentary Perspectives The perspectives of Psychology are different ways of looking at the same question. When the answers converge, the research results are more reliable.

13. Introduction to Psychology as a Science THE FACE OF THIS SCIENCE PSYCHOLOGY’S SUB-FIELDS

14. Psychology Sub-fields Basic Research: investigations to broaden and deepen our knowledge of the mind and behaviour, using many perspectives and methods Applied Research: research and human management in organizations, companies, sports teams, etc. Clinical Psychology: study, assess, treat troubled people with behavioural modification; administer testing and therapy for psychological disorders and dysfunctions Psychiatry: more physically intrusive psychotherapy through prescription drugs, surgical or more medical treatments

15. Psychology Areas of Study Developmental Psychology: the field which involves the development of mind and behaviour over the live- span of the individual. Child psychology is a subset. Neuropsychology: the molecular and physiological basis of behaviour, which involves the study of brain and neuron function. Sports Psychology: the fields of motivation, dedication, focus, commitment and reduction of pain as applied to athletic performance of the individual and teams. Social Psychology: the interactions of individuals in groups, group processes, persuasion and group fidelity. Ethology: study of the behaviour of animals; it’s ecological influences and origins. Animal behaviour and comparative psychology are sub-sets

16. Careers in Psychology Psychologists teach in law schools, medical schools and theological seminaries. Psychologists undertake research in Psychohistory; Psycholinguistics; Psychological profiling in criminal and political fora. Psychologists have a role in developing elite athletes, in mitigating stress associated with job displacements; motivational and performance/ human factors in industrial settings. Psychology is used in learning environments to enhance efficiency and mitigate deficiencies. Psychology requires expertise in many fields from mathematical modeling to molecular biology.

17. Introduction to Psychology as a Science PSYCHOLOGY’S BIG ISSUES

18. Stability vs Instability Do people or personalities change with time? Rationality vs Irrationality We have the most powerful thinking apparatus and the ability to reason, however, it is limited by evolution in seeing the big picture or alternate thoughts. Nature vs Nurture Is our genetic makeup or our life experience more important in forging our views, attitudes and behaviour? Matter vs Spirituality Are our thought processes simply a multiple of cell and biochemical functions or is there a dimension beyond the rational; beyond the biology; beyond the normal modes of perception; beyond the normal human experience?

19. Introduction to Psychology HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY Assignment 1. Research a time line of the development of interest in the human mind. Select a significant character in the development of Psychology which interests you. Chose early as it is your exclusive choice. Prepare a colourful slide show which details and illustrates that person’s life and his/her contribution to Psychology as a science. Use:  5-10 slides  no more than 40 words/slide  many illustrations and photos  point form when appropriate  MS PowerPoint if available Prepare to deliver it verbally with a projector, within a week.