1. Introduction to Psychology

2. 01-10-09 “Introduction to Behavioral Sciences” Instructor: Saba Nasir 2 What is Psychology? Scientific study of the individual Scientific study of behaviour and mental processes Attempts to understand human beings and other species

3. 01-10-09 “Introduction to Behavioral Sciences” Instructor: Saba Nasir 3 Subdivisions of Psychology Developmental psychology Studies human mental and physical growth from conception to death Physiological psychology Investigates the biological basis of human behavior Experimental psychology Conducts research on basis of psychological processes like learning, memory, sensation, perception etc Personality psychology Personality psychologists study the differences among individuals

4. 01-10-09 “Introduction to Behavioral Sciences” Instructor: Saba Nasir 4 Clinical and counseling psychology Clinical psychologists are interested primarily in the diagnosis, cause, and treatment of psychological disorders. Counseling psychologists are concerned primarily with “normal” problems of adjustments in life. Social psychology Social psychologists study how people influence one another Industrial and Organizational psychology Psychology applied to the workplace Subdivisions of Psychology

5. 01-10-09 “Introduction to Behavioral Sciences” Instructor: Saba Nasir 5 Major Schools of Thought Structuralism Structuralism was concerned with identifying the units of conscious experience. Physical sensation, Feelings, Image Wlhelm Wundt Bradford Titchener Functionalism Functionalism was concerned with the ongoing use of conscious experience. Consciousness cannot be broken into elements. “Pure sensation without associations-simply do not exist” William James

6. 01-10-09 “Introduction to Behavioral Sciences” Instructor: Saba Nasir 6 Psychodynamic Focused on the unconscious determinants of behavior. Human beings are not so rational and they are motivated by unconscious instincts & urges. Freud developed a method of therapy called psychoanalysis. Personality develop in series of critical stages during first few years of life. Sigmund Freud Behaviorism Behaviorism is only concerned with behavior that can be observed and measured.. John B. Watson B.F. Skinner Major Schools of Thought

7. 01-10-09 “Introduction to Behavioral Sciences” Instructor: Saba Nasir 7 Gestalt The Gestalt movement was concerned with the perception of “form.” Against structuralism view. (series of still pictures) Tendency to see pattern, to distinguish an object from its background, to complete picture from cues. Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang Kohler, Kurt Koffka Existential and Humanistic Existentialism is concerned with alienation and apathy in modern life. Search for sum meaning in this world and guide toward inner sense of identity Playwright, jean Paul startre Humanism is concerned with helping people realize their full potential. Major Schools of Thought

8. 01-10-09 “Introduction to Behavioral Sciences” Instructor: Saba Nasir 8 Cognitive Psychology Concerned with memory, thinking, language, learning, decision making (mental process) Expanded the concept of “behavior” to include thoughts, feelings, and states of consciousness Mental processes can and should be studied scientifically. Evolutionary Psychology Concerned with the evolutionary origins of behaviors and mental processes Their adaptive value and the purposes they continue to serve Reproductive success: all species are genetically programmed to produce offspring. Major Schools of Thought

9. 01-10-09 “Introduction to Behavioral Sciences” Instructor: Saba Nasir 9 Enduring Issues Person-situation Hereditary-environment Stability-change Diversity Mind-body