---Bell-Ringer Question---

• What do you think is the definition of Psychology?

• What do Psychologists do?

Introduction to

Psychology

Module 1

What is Psychology?

From the Greek:Psyche: spirit or breath of lifeLogos: knowledge or study of The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

-Is a philosophical science…It has its roots in philosophy..-Is a science…Has its roots in biology, medicine, and physics-Is systematic and scientific

What is Behavior?

Any action that others canobserve and measures:–Walking–Talking–Physical movements

What are Mental Processes?

•Emotion• Behavior or mental process

• Feelings• Thoughts•Dreams• Brain waves or privates thoughts

• Perception•Memories

What is memory and what does itmean to remember something?

How are children able to learn anaverage of 1 word per day from 1year to 3 years of age?

A person suffers from epilepsy.Doctors decide on a radical treatment and remove two small parts of patient’s brain. On a follow up,epilepsy is cleared up but patientseems completely incapable offorming new memories. Why?

Why does damage to the front ofyour brain cause you to losethe ability to plan ahead?

Becoming a Psychologist: Earn a Ph.D.(4-5 years graduate work + completion of major research project) Clinical psychologists also need 1 yr. internship & must pass licensing exam All psychologists specialize (subarea & approach) as they earn their degrees.

Other Degree Options: M.A. in Psych or Counseling or Social Work (takes ~2 years; more limited job opportunities) To become a psychiatrist you first attend medical school & earn your M.D., then specialize in clinical psych A psychoanalyst is a psychologist or psychiatrist with special training in Freud’s approach to the unconscious A variety of psychology-related jobs are available to those with a B.A. in Psych, as well as jobs where insight into behavior is a plus (sales, management, marketing, education, criminal justice, service jobs)

---Bell-Ringer Question---

• Think of a ‘psychology’ related question that you would like to see answered at some point this semester and explain why (just a sentence or two)

• Ex. Why do we dream or Do

Dreams have meanings? -Because I have crazy dreams at

Night and don’t understand why!!

Sub fields in Psychology / Careers1.Neuro2.Forensic3.Social4.Educational5.Developmental6.Health7.Cognitive 8.School 9.Experimental or research 10.Human-factors 11.Sports 12.Consumer 13.Industrial/organizational 14.Rehabilitation

Answer the Following Questions Based on Your Assigned Number-Answers can

be found in the text

• 1. What does this kind of psychologist do?

• 2. What industries or careers would this psychologist work in?

• 3. What topics/phenomenon/behaviors would this psychologist be concerned with?

---Bell-Ringer Question---

• If you could choose a career to pursue in Psychology, which one would you choose?– You can use your books (starting pg. 9)

• Explain why you chose the

career that you did.

Contemporary Theoretical Perspectives in Psychology

1. Behavioral Approach2. Biological Approach3. Cognitive Approach4. Humanistic Approach5. Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic Approach6.Sociocultural Approach

+Each Approach Studies Behaviors and Mental Processes from Different Angles

Behavioral Approach

• Goal: To study only observable behavior and explain it via learning. Behaviorists focused on how behaviors are learned and modified.

• Seeks to explain how we learn from observable responses. The basis of behavioral psychology suggests that all behaviors are learned.

Biological Approach• Focuses on the physical and biological causes of human behavior.

• Believe it is important that psychologists should study the biology behind behavior. This includes the human nervous system and brain.

• The first basic belief of the biological perspective is that all behavior has a physiological root, and is determined by biology.

• The second belief is that a lot of human behavior patterns are based on genetics, because humans have evolved over long periods of time to exhibit behavior that is adapted to the external environment.

Cognitive Approach

• They focus on the way humans process information, looking at how we treat information that comes in to the person

• Human behavior can be explained as a scientific processes

• Our behavior can be explained as a series of responses to external stimuli

• Behavior is controlled by our own thought processes, as opposed to genetic factors

Humanistic Approach

• The focus of the humanistic perspective is on the self, which translates into "YOU", and "your" perception of "your" experiences. This view argues that you are free to choose your own behavior, rather than reacting to environmental stimuli and reinforces.

• Emphasizes that each individual has great freedom in directing his/her own future

• Issues dealing with self-esteem and self-fulfillment

Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic

Approach• Our behavior and feelings are powerfully affected

by unconscious motives.

• Our behavior and feelings as adults (including psychological problems) are rooted in our childhood experiences.

• tension between conscious reality and unconscious drives.

Sociocultural Approach

• Behaviors are a result of our culture, gender, ethnicity, politics etc…

• We are merely products of our culture and society.

• How will each Perspective view a response to the following scenario:

– A person spills a sack of groceries-will a stranger help pick up the person’s groceries?

Behavioral/Clinical Perspective

FocusHow we learn from observable responses.How to best study, assess and treat troubled people.

FocusHow we learn from observable responses.How to best study, assess and treat troubled people.

Sample Issues• How do we learn to fear particular objects or situations?• What is the most effective way to alter certain behaviors

•Helping Behavior: If we have witnessed or been rewardedFor helping behavior, we are more likely to help/

Biological Perspective

FocusHow the body and brain create emotions, memories,and sensory experiences.

FocusHow the body and brain create emotions, memories,and sensory experiences.

Sample Issues• How do evolution and heredity influence behavior?• How are messages transmitted within the body?• How is blood chemistry linked with moods and motives?

•Helping Behavior: Brain chemistry controls the emotions and thoughts that eventually produce helping behavior

Cognitive Perspective

FocusHow we process, store and retrieve information.

FocusHow we process, store and retrieve information.

Sample Issues• How do we use info in remembering and reasoning? How much do infants “know” when they are born?

•Helping Behavior: Our individual interpretations of an event affect how we respond.

Humanistic Perspective

FocusA school of though that focuses on how healthy People strive to reach their full potential.

FocusA school of though that focuses on how healthy People strive to reach their full potential.

Sample Issues• If our needs for nourishment and safety have been met, we are more likely to feel we can reach out and help others.

Psychodynamic Perspective

FocusHow we are affected by unconscious drives and conflicts.

FocusHow we are affected by unconscious drives and conflicts.

Sample Issues Freudian theories

• Helping Behavior: Unresolved inner conflicts can affect whether or not we will help others.

Social-Cultural Perspective

FocusHow behavior and thinking vary across situationsand cultures.

FocusHow behavior and thinking vary across situationsand cultures.

Sample Issues• How are we, as members of different races andnationalities, alike as members of one human family?• How do we differ, as products of different social contexts?

Helping Behavior: If we come from a cultural background that values helping, we’re more likely to help. We are also more likely to help if we are in a comfortable situation, such as with a good friend.