1. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-1Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-1 What Is Psychology? Chapter 1

2. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-2Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-2 Chapter Outline Psychology, Pseudo-science & Popular OpinionPsychology, Pseudo-science & Popular Opinion Thinking Critically and Creatively about PsychologyThinking Critically and Creatively about Psychology Psychology’s PastPsychology’s Past Psychology’s PresentPsychology’s Present What Psychologists DoWhat Psychologists Do

3. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-3Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-3Psychology The discipline concerned with behaviour and mental processes and how they are affected by an organism’s physical state, mental state, and external environmentThe discipline concerned with behaviour and mental processes and how they are affected by an organism’s physical state, mental state, and external environment Symbolized with a Symbolized with a  EmpiricalEmpirical –Evidence gathered by careful observation, experimentation, or measurement

4. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-4Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-4 Psychology, Pseudo-science, & Popular Opinion Can you distinguish between psychobabble and empirical psychology?Can you distinguish between psychobabble and empirical psychology? –Psychobabble confirms unsupported popular opinion –Empirical approach makes use of research evidence and challenges opinion

5. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-5Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-5 Thinking Critically & Creatively Critical thinkingCritical thinking –The ability and willingness to assess claims and make objective judgments on the basis of well-supported reasons and evidence, rather than emotion or anecdote. –8 critical thinking guidelines

6. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-6Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-6 Critical Thinking Guidelines 1.Ask Questions: Be Willing to Wonder 2.Define Your Terms 3.Examine the Evidence 4.Analyze Assumptions and Biases

7. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-7Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-7 Critical Thinking Guidelines 5.Avoid Emotional Reasoning 6.Don’t Oversimplify 7.Consider Other Interpretations 8.Tolerate Uncertainty

8. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-8Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-8 Psychology’s Past Did not rely on empirical methods & evidenceDid not rely on empirical methods & evidence PhrenologyPhrenology –Discredited theory that different brain areas account for specific personality traits –Can be “read” from bumps on the skull

9. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-9Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-9 Birth of Psychology Wilhelm WundtWilhelm Wundt –Established first psychological laboratory –Goal to make psychology a science Three Early Psychologies:Three Early Psychologies: –Structuralism –Functionalism –Psychoanalysis

10. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-10Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-10Structuralism Early approach that emphasized the analysis of immediate experience into basic elements (Wundt & Titchener)Early approach that emphasized the analysis of immediate experience into basic elements (Wundt & Titchener) Interested in what happensInterested in what happens IntrospectionIntrospection –Observe, analyze and describe your own sensations, mental images, and emotional reactions

11. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-11Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-11Functionalism Early approach that emphasized the function or purpose of behaviour and consciousness (James & Darwin)Early approach that emphasized the function or purpose of behaviour and consciousness (James & Darwin) Interested in how and why something happensInterested in how and why something happens Functionalists broadened field of psychology to include the study of children, animals, religious experiences and stream of consciousnessFunctionalists broadened field of psychology to include the study of children, animals, religious experiences and stream of consciousness

12. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-12Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-12Psychoanalysis A theory of personality and a method of psychotherapy (Freud)A theory of personality and a method of psychotherapy (Freud) Physical symptoms due to emotional trauma or conflicts from early childhoodPhysical symptoms due to emotional trauma or conflicts from early childhood Emphasized unconscious motives and desires (i.e., sexual & aggressive)Emphasized unconscious motives and desires (i.e., sexual & aggressive)

13. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-13 Psychology’s Present Major Psychological Perspectives:Major Psychological Perspectives: 1. Biological perspective 2. Learning perspective 3. Cognitive perspective 4. Socio-cultural perspective 5. Psychodynamic perspective Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-13

14. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-14 Biological Perspective Approach that emphasizes how bodily events affect behaviour, feelings, and thoughtsApproach that emphasizes how bodily events affect behaviour, feelings, and thoughts This perspective involves:This perspective involves: HormonesHormones Brain chemistryBrain chemistry HeredityHeredity Evolutionary influencesEvolutionary influences Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-14

15. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-15 Learning Perspective Approach that is concerned with how the environment and experience affect a person’s (or animal’s) actionsApproach that is concerned with how the environment and experience affect a person’s (or animal’s) actions This perspective involves:This perspective involves: –Behaviourism –Social-cognitive learning theories Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-15

16. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-16 Cognitive Perspective Approach that emphasizes mental processes in perception, memory, language, problem solving, and reasoningApproach that emphasizes mental processes in perception, memory, language, problem solving, and reasoning This perspective involves:This perspective involves: –Computer models of cognition –Infant thinking –Intelligence testing Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-16

17. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-17 Socio-cultural Perspective Approach that emphasizes social and cultural influences on behaviourApproach that emphasizes social and cultural influences on behaviour This perspective involves:This perspective involves: –Social psychology – study of rules, roles, groups, and relationships –Cultural psychology – study of cultural norms, values, and expectations Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-17

18. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-18 Psychodynamic Perspective Approach that emphasizes unconscious dynamics within the individual, such as inner forces, conflicts, or instinctual energyApproach that emphasizes unconscious dynamics within the individual, such as inner forces, conflicts, or instinctual energy This perspective involves:This perspective involves: –Unconscious thoughts, desires, conflicts Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-18

19. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-19 Psychology’s Present Two Influential Movements:Two Influential Movements: 1. Humanist Psychology 2. Feminist Psychology Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-19

20. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-20 Humanist Psychology Approach that emphasizes personal growth and the achievement of human potentialApproach that emphasizes personal growth and the achievement of human potential This approach:This approach: –Rejected psychoanalysis and behaviourism –Emphasized creativity, free will, resilience –Linked to the development of positive psychology Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-20

21. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-21 Feminist Psychology Approach that analyzes the influence of social inequalities on gender relations and on the behaviour of the two sexesApproach that analyzes the influence of social inequalities on gender relations and on the behaviour of the two sexes This approach:This approach: –Recognized male bias in research methods –Broadened research focus (e.g., gender roles) –Questioned research used to justify status of disadvantaged groups Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-21

22. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-22 What Psychologists Do Three categories of professional activities for psychologists:Three categories of professional activities for psychologists: 1.Teaching and doing research 2.Providing health or mental-health services (psychological practice) 3.Conducting applied research for non- academic settings Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-22

23. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-23 What Psychologists Do

24. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-24 Psychological Research Research in areas of basic or applied psychologyResearch in areas of basic or applied psychology Examples include:Examples include: –Experimental psychologists –Educational psychologists –Developmental psychologists –Industrial & organizational psychologists –Psychometric psychologists Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-24

25. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-25 Psychological Practice Practitioners that work in mental hospitals, general hospitals, clinics, schools, counselling centres, and private practicePractitioners that work in mental hospitals, general hospitals, clinics, schools, counselling centres, and private practice –Counselling psychologists: help with everyday problems –School psychologists: work with parents & teachers to enhance performance –Clinical psychologists: diagnose, treat, & study mental and emotional problems Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-25

26. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-26 Clinical Psychologists are NOT: PsychotherapistsPsychotherapists –Anyone who does any kind of psychotherapy PsychoanalystsPsychoanalysts –Individuals who have trained in and practice psychoanalysis PsychiatristsPsychiatrists –Medical doctors who diagnose and treat mental disorders Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-26

27. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-27 Types of Psychotherapists

28. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-28 CPA Accredited Clinical Programs Concordia University Dalhousie University Lakehead University McGill University Queen’s University Simon Fraser University Université de Montréal Université Laval University of British Columbia University of Calgary University of Manitoba University of New Brunswick University of Ottawa University of Regina University of Saskatchewan University of Victoria University of Waterloo University of Western Ontario University of Windsor York University Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-28

29. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-29 Psychology in the Community Sports Consumer issues Advertising Organizational problems Environmental issues Public policy Opinion polls Military training Animal behaviour Legal issues Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-29

30. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-30 What do Psychology Undergraduates Pursue? PsychologyPsychology CounselingCounseling EducationEducation Social workSocial work MedicineMedicine LawLaw Health sciencesHealth sciences BusinessBusiness SociologySociology OtherOther Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-30

31. Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-31 End of Chapter 1 Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education Canada1-31