PSYCHOLOGY40S

C. McMurrayVincent Massey Collegiate

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Introduction to Psychology

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Psychologist vs. Scientist

Write down 5 adjectives that describe a typical scientist.

Write down 5 adjectives that describe a typical psychologist.

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Psychology Today

We define psychology today as:

the scientific study of behavior (what we do) and mental processes (inner thoughts and feelings).

Behaviour is anything an organism DOES. Any action we can observe and record.

Mental Processes are the internal, subjective experiences we infer from behaviour. Sensations, perceptions, dreams, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings.

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The Case of Andrea Yates

On June 20th,2001, after her husband had left for work, Andrea Yates, a Houston mother, drowned her five children in the family bathtub. She told police that she drowned the children to save them from burning in hell.

What do you believe to be the causes of Andrea Yates’ murder of her children?

Pair-share

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Psychology’s Three Main Levels of Analysis: The Biopsychosocial Approach

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Biopsychosocial Approach - an approach to describe and explain

how biological, psychological and social factors influence behaviour

and mental processes.

Causes?Did we find the cause in her mental disorder or illness that may have a biological basis? (Biological)

Mood disorders run in families and Andrea’s was no exception. A sister and two brothers were also on antidepressants. Research indicates that brain chemistry plays a role in psychological disorder. The neurotransmitter serotonin appears scarce in depression. Diagnosed as suffering from postpartum depression with psychosis, she had been taken off her antipsychotic medication about a month before the children’s deaths. Andrea’s husband, Russell, claimed he had been pleading with doctors to again prescribe Haldol, used in treating people who hear voices or have delusional thoughts.

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Causes?

Did we find the cause in her private mental functioning? (Psychological)

Clearly Andrea experienced low self-esteem. At the time she killed her children, she believed she was possessed and that the sign of Satan (666) was marked on her scalp. She told the police that her children “weren’t developing correctly” and that drowning them was the only way to save them.

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Causes?

Did we find the cause in her social environment? (Social-Cultural)

Why did her doctor take her off her antipsychotic medication? More importantly, was this really a family affair? Andrea’s in-laws report that her husband was not socially supportive. He claimed he had never changed a diaper. How could he leave her alone with the five children when she could barely care for herself? Why, after doctors had strongly recommended no more children, did he impregnate her a fifth time? And where was her extended family when she needed help so desperately? The individualism of North American society plays a critical role in its accelerating rate of depression.

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Activity:

Think of a Behaviour or Mental Process and apply the 3

main influences:

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Psychology’s Perspectives

There are many factors that shape human

behaviour.

Psychology looks at human behavior and

thinking from a variety of perspectives.

(What is a perspective?)

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perspectives

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The 7 Major Perspectives

Every topic in psychology can be viewed in

different ways:

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https://thementalimage.wordpress.com/2012/08/19/psychology-perspectives-project-roundup/

The Biopsychosocial Approach and

the Psychology’s Perspectives

The biopsychosocial approach combines

and interacts with the seven major

perspectives.

Each perspecitive is a specific point of view.

No single perspective is better than

another.

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Psychology’s Current PerspectivesEvery topic in psychology can be viewed in different ways:

1. Neuroscience (biological)

Looks at how heredity, physical and biological makeup (genes, body, chemicals, brain) affect behavior.

2. Evolutionary

Focuses on survival and reproduction, how we have evolved as a species.

3. Humanistic

Suggests that all individuals are driven by personal growth.

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4. Psychodynamic

Emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind, early childhood experiences, unconscious conflicts and drives that we have little awareness of.

5. Behavioural

Focuses on learned behaviours (rewards and punishments), what we observe.

6. Cognitive

Focuses on mental process…feeling, believing, thinking, decision making, memories.

7. Social-Cultural

Focuses on the big environment, culture, religion, community, peers…

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Outrageous Celebrity Assignment 5 marks

Choose the most outrageous celebrity you can think of, past or present. You

should provide a short list of some of the outrageous behaviours this person has

exhibited. Then, attempt to explain these behaviours from the point of view of

each major psychology perspective. Your reasoning can be as ridiculous as the

behaviour itself, as long as it falls in line with the perspective. They don’t have to

be true!

Celebrity: ______ Well known for the following behaviours: ________

1.Neuroscience:

2.Evolutionary:

3.Humanistic:

4.Psychodynamic:

5.Behavioural:

6.Cognitive:

7.Social Cultural:

Two Fields of Psychology

Research

Pure science

Researches topics in

Psychology

Applied

Working with people

“Applies” research

that has been done

already

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Psychology’s Subfields: Research

Psychologist What she does

BiologicalExplore the links between brain and mind.

DevelopmentalStudy changing abilities from womb to tomb.

CognitiveStudy how we perceive, think, and solve problems.

Personality Investigate our persistent traits.

SocialExplore how we view and affect one another.

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Psychology’s Subfields: Applied

Psychologist What she does

ClinicalStudies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders

CounselingHelps people cope with academic, vocational, and marital challenges.

EducationalStudies and helps individuals in school and educational settings

Industrial/

Organizational

Studies and advises on behavior in the workplace.

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Counseling and Clinical Psychology vs. Psychiatry

Counseling psychologist

Helps people cope with academic, vocational, and marital challenges.

A clinical psychologist (Ph.D.) studies, assesses, and treats troubled people with psychotherapy.

Psychiatrists on the other hand are medical professionals (M.D.) who use treatments like drugs and psychotherapy to treat people with psychological disorders.

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Reflections

Entry #1 Topic: Introduction to Psychology

Reflect on the past few of days in

Psychology. Comment on what you have

learned, your thoughts about psychology

and your wonderings.

Try to add a personal connection to your

entry.

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