1. PSYCHOLOGY CHAPTER 1 – WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?
SSPFR1: The student will explain selected
historical and contemporary
perspectives and practices of
psychologists.
EQ 1: What is involved in the study of Psychology?
EQ 2: What are the fields of study in Psychology?

2. Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Why study Psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
To better understand why people behave as they do.
To learn more about thoughts and feelings.
A. Behavior and Mental Processes
1. Behavior – any action other people can observe or
measure.
a. Includes overt or obvious actions as well as
things like automatic body functions.
2. Private Mental Processes or cognitive activities
take place in a person’s mind and are not
observable.

3. 3. Emotions/Feelings – also studied and can affect
both behavioral and mental
processes.
B. Goals of Psychology
1. A better understanding of behavior enables
psychologists to explain, predict, and control
behavior.
C. Psychology as a Science
1. Psychology is a social science but it also has roots
in natural science as well.
a. Social Science – deals with the structure of
human society and the nature of the
individuals who make up society.
b. Natural Science – reflected in psychology in
the study of the brain and scientific research.

4. 2. Psychological Theories a
2. Psychological Theories a. Psychologists organize their ideas into theories: * Theories are statements that attempt to explain why things are the way things are. * May include statements about behavior, mental processes, and biological processes.

5. Types of Psychologists
A. Clinical Psychologists
1. Largest group of psychologists.
a. Help people with problems like:
* anxiety
* depression
* schizophrenia
* relationships
* drug abuse
* weight control
b. Trained to evaluate problems using
interviews and psychological tests.
c. Usually work in hospitals, prisons, college
clinics, and private practice.

6. B. Counseling Psychologists 1
B. Counseling Psychologists 1. Also use interviews and tests to treat patient’s problems. 2. Typically treat people with adjustment problems rather than serious psychological issues. 3. Usually work in businesses or university counseling and testing centers. C. School Psychologists 1. Identify and help students who have problems that interfere with learning. 2. Typical problems include: a. Peer group and family problems b. Psychological problems c. Learning disorders

7. 3. Advise teachers, school officials, and parents on how to help certain students overcome their learning difficulties. D. Educational Psychologists 1. Concerned with helping students learn. 2. Generally focus on course planning and instructional methods for entire school systems. E. Developmental Psychologists 1. Study changes that take place throughout the life span. a. Physical b. Emotional c. Cognitive d. Social

8. 2. Also study how heredity and environment affect development. F
2. Also study how heredity and environment affect development. F. Personality Psychologists 1. Identify characteristics of traits. G. Social Psychologists 1. Study behavior in social situations. 2. Issues they study include: a. Ways women and men behave in certain situations. b. Physical/Psychological factors that attract people to each other. c. Reasons people conform to group standards/ expectations.

9. d. How behavior changes when people are members of a group. e
d. How behavior changes when people are members of a group. e. The reasons and effects of prejudice and discrimination within various groups as well as between groups. f. Situations in which people act aggressively and those in which they help others. H. Experimental Psychologists 1. Conduct research into basic processes. 2. Some focus on relationships between biological changes and psychological events – biological psychologists 3. Most likely to conduct basic research – research\ with no immediate application; done for its own sake.

10. I. Other Specialists 1. Industrial and Organizational Psychology – focus on people and work. 2. Environmental Psychology – focus on how people influence and are influenced by their environment. 3. Consumer Psychology – Study shopper behavior to explain and predict how they will act. 4. Forensic Psychology a. Testify about a defendant’s ability to stand trial. b. Work with police departments to: * help select police officers * help officers cope with job stress * train officers to handle situations such as suicide threats, hostage crises, and family violence.

11. 5. Health Psychology – Examine how behavior and mental processes are related to physical health.