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Psychology Then and Now

Psychology Then and Now. August 20, 2008. Definitions and Goals. What is it? Systematic, scientific study of behaviors and mental processes Goals: Describe - what is it; what is going on Explain - how does it occur; what stimulates the behavior

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Psychology Then and Now

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  1. Psychology Then and Now August 20, 2008

  2. Definitions and Goals What is it? Systematic, scientific study of behaviors and mental processes Goals: Describe- what is it; what is going on Explain- how does it occur; what stimulates the behavior Predict- when is it going to happen (Autism) Control- if we know when it is going to happen we can prevent it from happening

  3. Modern Approaches Biological- how our genes, hormones and nervous system interacts w/our environment to influence learning, personality, memory, emotions, etc. Cognitive- how we process and store info and how this info influences our perceptions Behavioral approach- how organisms learn new behaviors or modify existing ones based on rewards or punishment Psychoanalytic- our unconscious affects who we become Humanistic- free-will and self-importance; unlimited potential for growth and self-fulfillment Cross-Cultural- ethnic similarities and differences across cultures; looks at the psychological functioning of a cultures’ members.

  4. STRUCTURALISM • First Psych Lab in Leipzig, Germany in 1879 • Structuralism- study of sensations and perceptions that make up our conscious experiences • Introspection- method of self-reporting; being exposed to some stimulus and then writing down your experience • BIG criticism: NOT SCIENTIFIC; TOO NARROW

  5. FUNCTIONALISM • “The Principles of Psychology”, 1890 • Interested in the FUNCTIONS of the mind • FUNCTIONALISM- study of the function instead of the structure of consciousness; studies how or minds adapt to change in the environment • Considered the father of modern psychology • Emotions were caused by physiological changes in the mind • WOLF: for STRUCTURALISM Fear=running • FOR FUNCTIONALISM: Running=Fear (emotions)

  6. GESTALT • The Phi Phenomenon and Apparent motion • Fixed lights flashing in sequence give the appearance that the light is actually moving • Gestalt Approach- perception is more than the sum of its parts; studied how sensations are assembled into meaningful perceptual experiences

  7. BEHAVIORISM: WHAT WE CAN SEE • Psychology as a Behaviorist Views It”, 1913 • “Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own special world to bring them up in and I’ll TRAIN him to become any type of specialist I might select”… • Total rejection of mental processes • Behavioral approach: objective, scientific analysis of observable behaviors • 1920’s to 1960’s- Behaviorism at the fore of Psychology

  8. I’ve got a Degree in Psychology, Now What? • Psychologist- 4-5 years of post-grad education and has a Ph.D, a Psy.D, or and Ed.D. in Psych. • Clinical Psychology- specialization in a clinical subarea, and has spent at least one year in a supervised setting to gain additional experience • Psychiatrists- (M.D.) has clinical training, including diagnosing abnormal behaviors and treating them with prescription drugs Where do they work? • 49% in private practice • 28% in academic settings • 13% career settings • 6% Industrial settings • 4% secondary schools and other settings

  9. Social Psychology QUESTIONS: • How does being in a group affect ones behavior? • How does one develop certain personality traits? • How important is physical attractiveness in making first impressions? • SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY- study of social interactions • PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY- study of personality development, personality change, assessment, and abnormal behaviors

  10. Developmental QUESTIONS • Why do some babies cry more than others? • What impact does abuse have on children? • What happens to teenagers during puberty? • What happens to our sex drive as we age? • DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCH- examines moral, social, emotional, and cognitive development through an entire person’s life • Many work in academic settings

  11. Experimental QUESTIONS • Why does an animal press a bar to get food? • Can learning principles be used to treat a phobia? • Why do we feel fear when we see a snake? • What is taste aversion • EXPERIMENTAL PSYCH- includes areas of sensation, perception, learning, human performance, motivation, and emotion • 16% of psychologists prefer this field

  12. BIOLOGICAL QUESTIONS • How do psychiatric medications change brain chemistry? • How do brain cells change during Alzheimer’s? • What happens to the brain as we dream? • Do genes affect intelligence? • PSYCHOBIOLOGY- involves research on the physical and chemical changes that occur during stress, learning, and emotions, and how these influence our behaviors

  13. COGNITIVE QUESTIONS • What was unique about Einstein’s thought processes? • What’s the best way to learn new info? • Does memory get worse with age? • Do men and women think differently? • COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY- involves how we process, store, and retrieve information and how cognitive processes influence our behaviors • Looks at memory, thinking, language, creativity, and decision-making

  14. Psychometrics QUESTIONS • What do college entrance tests show? • What career best fits my abilities? • How do tests assess abnormal behaviors? • PSYCHOMETRICS- looks at the measurement of people’s abilities, skills, intelligence, personalities, and abnormal behaviors • Develop tests that are unbiased and are updated regularly • BIAS

  15. FOCUS: POSITIVE STUDY HABITS pt.1 Common Complaint- “I studied hard and still got a C” No correlation between how well a student know the material and how well they perform Poor Judges- judgment made on what is generally known Need to focus on getting the specifics Reducing Distractions Music, TV, Cell Phone… ALL LOWER EXAM SCORES Time Management- underestimation Students will underestimate how long it will take to complete a task MUST SET ASIDE TIME FOR STUDY

  16. STUDY SKILLS pt.2 SETTING GOALS TIME GOAL Study for 10 hrs a week and keeping a log GENERAL GOAL Stay on schedule and try to reach it during the semester SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE GOAL Answering at least 80% of the questions correctly on the AP EXAM REWARD YOURSELF Do something when you achieve your goal

  17. STUDY SKILLS pt.3 TAKING NOTES Write it down in YOUR own words Use headings to organize it Associate new info with old info Improve note-taking by asking: What is the main idea? What is this an example of? How does this relate? PROCRASTINATION DON’T THINK OF THE OVERALL GOAL BREAK DOWN BIG TASKS INTO SMALLER ONES SET A REALISTIC SCHEDULE FOR COMPLETION OF A TASK GET ORGANIZED; GET REAL!

  18. LASTLY: COMIC RELIEF UNUSUAL EXCUSES for MISSING EXAMS: I can’t be at the exam because my cat is having kittens and I’m her coach I want to reschedule my final because my aunt is a nun I can’t take the exam on Monday because my mom is getting married on Sunday, and I’ll be too drunk to drive back to school I couldn’t be at the exam because I had to attend the funeral of my girlfriend’s dog I can’t take the test Friday because my mother is having a vasectomy

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