PSYCHOLOGY

Prologue

What is Psychology?

“The science of behavior and mental processes”

What an organism thinks, feels and acts

What an organism DOES

What an organism EXPERIENCES sensations, dreams, thoughts, beliefs, feelings…

History of Psychology

• MIND AND BODY ARE DISTINCT= Socrates, Plato, Descartes

• MIND AND BODY ARE CONNECTED= Aristotle

• WILHELM WUNDT = Father of modern Psychology

Evolution of Psychology

• Until 1920’s - Science of MENTAL LIFE

1920’s – 1960’s - Science of OBSERVABLE BEHAVIOR

1960’s to current- BEHAVIOR and MENTAL PROCESSES

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

Prologue: Psychology’s Roots

Functionalism focused on how

behavioral processes function- how they enable organism to adapt, survive, and flourish

Prologue: Psychology’s Roots

William James 1842 - 1910

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW6nm69Z_IE

BIG ISSUES QUIZ

• 0 = disagree strongly; 1= disagree somewhat; 2 = disagree slightly3 = agree slightly; 4 = agree somewhat; 5 agree strongly

Most people have an accurate understanding of the reasons for their own behavior

0 = disagree strongly; 1= disagree somewhat; 2 = disagree slightly3 = agree slightly; 4 = agree somewhat; 5 agree strongly

Psychology’s BIG ISSUES

• Stability vs. Change

• Rationality vs. Irrationality

• Nature vs. Nurture

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd5Y3-F79LY

PSYCHOLOGY’s BIG ISSUE

NATURE VS. NURTURE DEBATE

Nature: Socrates Nurture: Aristotle, Locke -the mind as a blank slate

EMPIRICISM: knowledge originates in experience, science should be about observation and experimentation

SEVEN PERSPECTIVES

PSYCHODYNAMICHow behavior derives from unconscious conflicts & drives – childhood traumas,

unfulfilled wishes, etc…

• Sigmund Freud

- Personality develops through unconscious experiences- Id, Ego, Superego

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umeSI8CmaPw

BEHAVIORAL

• How do we learn to respond? How do we alter our behavior for desired results?

Behavior controlled by events in the environment

• Ivan Pavlov, John Watson, B.F. Skinner

Investigated OBSERVABLE behavior

• Pavlov http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhqumfpxuzI

• Eddie Izard and Pavlov’s cathttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whwiMrBNWCA

• Skinner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_ctJqjlrHA

HUMANISTIC

Behavior controlled by internal growth and self concept

Behaviors evolve are self-directed (FREE WILL)

MASLOVCarl Rogers

COGNITIVEHow we encode, process, store and retrieve information for memory and reasoning

Behavior is a product of our learning

• Jean Piaget, Noam Chomsky

How we learn (process, store, retrieve and use info)

How learning influences our behavior

NEUROSCIENCEHow does brain and body work together to enable memories, emotions?

• Behavior is controlled by neurological function

• Roger Sperry

• Biological interaction of mind and body(BRAIN & CNS)

SOCIAL-CULTURAL

• How behavior and thinking varies between cultures and situations

Behavior is a product of societal influences

• Solomon Asch

Looks at how behavior and thinking varies across cultures

EVOLUTIONARYHow does natural selection and evolution influence genes & behavior?

• Charles Darwin

• Natural selection of traits promotes the perpetuation of genes

BEHAVIOR-GENETIC

• How much does our environment vs. genetics influence our differences, intelligence, personality, sexual orientation?

Perspectives Hand Mnemonic

Psycho-dynamic

Cognitive

BehavioralSocio-Cultural

Humanistic

Evolutionary

Neuroscience

Perspectives Practice

• Peter has some emotional problems and is acting out in school. Upon doing some tests, they discover that he excels in visual learning and visual learning cues, while textual cues seem to be a problem. They also learn he may have dyslexia.–What perspective might she use to

explain or deal with his behavior?

Perspectives Practice

• Peter has some emotional problems and is acting out in school. His teacher notices that – while bright- he lacks self-esteem. He is left alone at home and is not eating properly. She found out recently that he is also homeless. She believes that with time and help, he can reach his full potential. –What perspective might she use to explain

or deal with his behavior?

Perspectives Practice

• Peter has some emotional problems and is acting out in school. After he begins taking medication, he begins to slow down and focus on his work. He seems to be doing better, but his mood is “off” and he is not his “happy-go-lucky” self.–What perspective might she use to

explain or deal with his behavior?

Perspectives Practice

• Peter has some emotional problems and is acting out in school. After further investigation into his past, we discover that both his father and grandfather suffered from aggressive tendencies – including Oppositional Defiant Disorder – and had not received help for their illness.– What perspective might she use to explain or

deal with his behavior?

• Beth

Psychology Perspectives• Death Penalty – For or Against?– The Andrea Yates Story: 60 minutes