1. Introduction to Psychology
Schools of thought and branches of study in psychology

2. What is Psychology?
Focuses on the individual, (not groups) and the personal and unique experiences that influence how/why the individual acts, behaves and thinks the way they do

3. Schools of Thought in Psychology

4. Learning Theories
Humans are born with little instinct but much learning potential
Most human behaviour is learned, especially in child and youth
The ability to modify behaviour that is undesireable
Controlling the way in which humans learn can have a great influence on their personalities and behaviour

5. Ivan Pavlov - (1849-1936) Classical Conditioning
Pavlov’s experiments with dogs showed that it was possible to get a dog to associate the sound of a bell with the imminent arrival of food
Humans learn behaviours by associating them with certain stimuli – e.g. You learned that class begins/ends with the sound of a bell

6. B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) – Operant Conditioning
Learning can be programmed by whatever consequences or stimulus follows a particular behavior -
Punishments (negative reinforcements such as timeouts, spanking…) discourage negative behaviour
Rewards (positive reinforcement such as compliments, money, candy…) encourage positive behaviour to continue
In his research - rats and pigeon’s received food rewards for pressing specific levers in a complicated sequence leading Skinner to believe that learning was a STIMULUS-RESPONSE effect
Difference between Classical and Operant Conditioning:

7. Albert Bandura (1925)
Experiment- Bobo Doll, Social Learning Theory/Observational Learning Theory
Bandura concluded that learning is largely a modeling experience and more complicated than a mere stimulus-response effect
When humans observe behaviour – either acceptable or unacceptable – they are more likely to practice it

8. Psychoanalytic Theory
The mind is divided into two parts: the conscious (aware of ) and the unconscious (not aware of)
According to psychologists, our unconscious mind has more influence than our conscious mind on our personalities and behaviour

9. Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) The founder of psychoanalytic theory
He believed our early childhood experiences, usually involving our relationships with parents and family, are stored in our unconscious mind
While we are normally unaware of these memories, they can have a powerful influence on the way we function
Those that live with a general sense of frustration, our behaviour may become neurotic and connected with anxiety or obsessiveness which can be treated using dream analysis, hypnosis and individual counseling

10. The Unconscious Mind https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vFf5CS27-Y
The Unconscious mind is divided
into three parts:
Id – which encourages us to seek physical satisfaction (pleasure principle)
Superego – prompts us to do the moral thing, not the one that feels best (very strict conscience)
Ego – the referee between the two and deals with external reality, this is our most conscious self (reality principle)

11. Branches of Psychology

12. Abnormal Psychology
Psychopathology and abnormal behavior – mental illness disorders
Covers a broad range of disorders, from depression to obsession-compulsion to addictions
Obsessed – OCD case study Chad:

13. Behavioural Psychology
Theory of learning based upon the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning – rewards and punishments
Focus is to change the undesired behaviour of an individual
Behavioral techniques include therapy and education
BF Skinner Video:
Big Bang Theory Video:

14. Cognitive Psychology The study of how the brain influences behavior
Focuses on internal states, such as motivation, problem solving, decision-making, thinking and attention
Example:
The Stanford Marshmallow Experiment – Delayed Gratification

15. Experimental Psychology
Uses experimental methods to study psychological issues.
Try to establish patterns or laws of human behaviour that can be applied in the real world.
Example: Change Blindness:

16. Developmental Psychology
Looks at development throughout the lifespan, from childhood to adulthood.
Seeks to understand and explain how and why people change throughout life.
This includes all aspects of human growth, including physical, emotional, intellectual, social, perceptual and personality development.
Development of Children –

17. Criminal Profiling Explained:
Forensic Psychology
Deals with issues related to psychology and the law.
Forensic psychologists perform a wide variety of duties, including:
providing testimony in court cases,
assessing children in suspected child abuse cases,
preparing children and adults to give testimony and
evaluating the mental competence of criminal suspects.
Criminal Profiling Explained: