Introduction to Psychology

What is psychology?Scientific study of (human) behaviourPsychology (today) is an enterprise that is just as

scientific as physics or chemistry.

History of Human Knowledge

1. Metaphysical Systems: Attributing behaviour or

experiences to nonphysical forces such as spirits or deities

Violates scientists’ established physical laws

Examples of Metaphysical Systems

A. Animism Belief that natural phenomena are

alive and influence behaviour Possession of animal parts endows

the owner with psychological aspects of the animal

Wind, sun, and rain have temperaments

Plato – “the universe is alive and has a soul” Aristotle – gravity reflects the desire of physical

objects to return to mother earth

Metaphysical Systems (cont’d)B. Mythology and religion

• Deities of spiritual rather than physical existence

• More sophisticated explanations than animism

• Non-physical forces influence behaviour

• Important: science can’t determine whether right or wrong – just different than science Difference set of assumptions Both attempt to explain behaviour

Metaphysical Systems (cont’d)

C. Astrology Human behaviour is determined by the activity of

celestial bodies Relegated to mere entertainment

History (cont’d)

2. Philosophy• Study of knowledge and

behaviour through logic, intuition, and observation

• Early philosophers were influenced by the metaphysical Descartes accepted notion that

nerves were hollow tubes that “animal spirits” were carried through

Philosophy (cont’d)

Among contemporary philosophers, finding authority at the base of a theory was a sign of weakness

Empiricism (Aristotle, Descartes) holds that the best was to learn about the world is to make observations. Later became core assumption of scientific

method

History (cont’d)

3. Physiology and Physical Sciences• Study of the functions of the interrelations

between different parts of the brain and body• The scientific method is used in physiology• Volta, using a battery and freshly severed

frog leg, was able to discover more about basic physiology than any amount of reasoning ever could.

• Physiologists taught psychologists the value of careful, systematic experimentation through

observation.

History (cont’d)

4. Experimental Psychology Most historians believe that experimental

psychology began in Germany in the mid- to late 1800s

Fechner, von Helmholtz, Weber, and Wundt all played an important role in the birth of psychology.

Psychology’s Roots

Prescientific Psychology Is the mind

connected to the body or distinct?

Are ideas inborn or is the mind a blank slate filled by experience?

Psychology’s Roots

Psychology’s Roots

scientific Psychology Empiricism

knowledge comes from experience via the senses

science flourishes through observation and experiment

Psychology’s Roots

Wilhelm Wundt opened the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig (c. 1879).

Father of Psychology.

Psychology’s Roots

Structuralism used introspection (looking in) to explore the elemental structure of the human mind

Psychology’s Roots

Functionalism focused on how behavioral processes function—how they enable organism to adapt, survive, and flourish

Psychology’s Roots

Figure 1- British Psychological Society membership

Psychology’s Roots

Definition of Psychology The science of behavior (what we do) and mental processes (sensations, perceptions, dreams, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings)

Definition of PsychologyDerived from two Greek words-

psyche: mind, soul or spirit.logos : knowledge or studyPut together- Study of the mind (Rudolf Geockle)1590.

*Psychology is defined as the scientific study of behaviour and mental process.

Mind and body relationship

Mind and body connected. (Early History)

Mind and body not connected. (later)Mind and body connected. (Present

day)Psychosomatic diseaeses.Mental disorders arise from physical

ones and likewise physical disorders arise from mental ones. (Mahabharatha)

Contemporary Psychology

Psychology’s Big Issues Nature-nurture controversy

the relative contribution that genes and experience make to development of psychological traits and behaviors

Contemporary Psychology

Natural selection principle that

those inherited trait variations contributing to survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

Contemporary Psychology

Contemporary Psychology

Psychology’s Perspectives A lot depends on your point of

view

Contemporary Psychology

Psychology’s Subfields Basic Research

biological psychologists explore the links between brain and mind

developmental psychologists study changing abilities from womb to tomb

cognitive psychologists study how we perceive, think, and solve problems

Contemporary Psychology

Psychology’s Subfields Basic Research

Personality psychologists investigate our persistent traits

Social psychologists explore how we view and affect one another

Contemporary Psychology

Psychology’s Subfields Applied Research

Industrial/organizational psychologists study and advise on behavior in the workplace

Clinical psychologists study, assess, and treat people with psychological disorders

Contemporary Psychology

Psychiatry A branch of medicine dealing with

psychological disorders Practiced by physicians who

sometimes use medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychotherapy

Behaviourism

Emphasised that conditioned reflexes were the elements and not sensation that constitute the behaviour.

Conditioned reflexes are simple learned responses to stimuli.

Stimulus and environment determines behaviour.

Humanistic

Psychology which focuses upon the development of self it is called humanistic .

It focus on the persons subjective experiences, freedom of choice and motivation towards self actualization

Humanist believe that behaviour is controlled by our own free will and not by the unconscious or the environment.

Psychoanalitic

Founded by Sigmund Freud.Emphasis on unconscious motivation.Personality based on Id, ego and

super ego.

Sigmund FreudPsychoanalytic Theory

Ψ Freud explained behaviour by his theory of personality (Psychoanalytic Theory) and developed a treatment for abnormal behaviour called Psychoanalysis.

Ψ The theory explains human development in terms of an innate drive (something we are born with e.g. pleasure) and early experience (the extent to which the desires were gratified)

Structure of the Freudian Personality

Ψ Freud assumed that the mind is divided into 3 parts: Id, Ego and Superego

Cognitive

Emphasis on the prosses of the mind such as memory, problem solving, decision making etc.

Deals with conscious process.

Behaviour and Mind

Both work together.Behaviour : Motor activities. Eg.

Walking, running, dancing speaking. : Cognitive activities. Eg.

Remembering, thinking, reasoning, perception.

: Emotional activities. Eg. Happy, sad, angry, anxious, fear.

Scope of Psychology :

1. Clinical Psychology.2. Counseling Psychology.3. Social Psychology.4. Experimental Psychology.5. Developmental Psychology.6. Abnormal Psychology.7. Community Psychology.8. Educational Psychology.9. Industrial Psychology.10. Political Psychology.11. Military Psychology.12. Legal Psychology.

Methods of Psychology:* Introspection or Self Observation Method* Observation Method or Systemic Method* Experimental method* Survey or Inventory Method* Test Method* Case History or Clinical Method

* Genetic or Developmental Method.

Professions in Psychology :

* Forensic Psychologist* Sports Psychologist* Counseling Psychologist* Clinical Psychologist* Industrial/ Occupational Psychologist* Educational Psychologist

Relevance of Psychology

Helps to understand self and othersHelps in interaction with othersGreater understanding of emotions

and its connection to illness. Psychosomatic diseases.Helps to manage your own behaviour

and feelings.

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