Welcome to Psychology

1. Welcome to Psychology It’s a TERRIFIC DAY to Learn!!!!

2. Chapter 1 Introduction and Research Methods

3. What is Psychology? The science of behavior and mental processes Behavior—observable actions of a person or animal Mind—thoughts, feelings, sensations, perceptions, memories, dreams, motives and other subjective experiences Science—an objective way to answer questions based on observable facts/data and well-described methods

4. Philosophical Developments BIG • A Question: How are mind and body related? • René Descartes (1596–1650)—Interactive dualism • The mind and body interact to produce conscious experience

5. Philosophical Developments • Another Question: Nature vs. Nurture BIG • Are abilities determined by our genes or our experiences? • What are the interactions between genetics and environment? • What effect does it have on behavior?

6. Foundations of Modern Psychology • Separated from philosophy in 19th century • influences from physiology remain

7. Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) • The “father of psychology” • Founder of modern psychology • Opened the first psychology lab in 1879

8. Other Pioneers • Edward Titchener (1867–1927) • Wundt’s student, professor at Cornell University • William James (1842–1910) • started psychology at Harvard in 1870’s • opposed Wundt’s and Titchener’s approach • functionalism – influenced by Darwin to focus on how behaviors help us adapt to the environment • Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) • Austrian physician that focused on illness • psychoanalytic theory of mental disorders

9. E.B. Titchener (1867-1927) • Analyzed the intensity, clarity and quality of the parts of consciousness • Founder of structuralism

10. William James (1842-1910) • First American psychologist • Author of the first psychology textbook • Founder of Functionalism

11. Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) • Founder of the psychoanalytic perspective • Believed that abnormal behavior originated from unconscious drives and conflicts

12. Freud’s Influence • Influence on “pop culture” • Freudian slips • Anal-retentive • Influence on psychology • Psychodynamic theory • Unconscious thoughts • Significance of childhood experiences

13. Other Pioneers • John B. Watson (1878–1958) • psychologists should study overt behavior • B. F. Skinner (1904–1990) • American psychologist at Harvard • studied learning and effect of reinforcement • behaviorism

14. Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) • Russian Physiologist • Studied learning in animals • Emphasized the study of observable behaviors

15. John B. Watson (1878-1958) • Founder of behaviorism • Studied only observable and objectively described acts • Emphasized objective and scientific methodology

16. John B. Watson, a godfather of American behaviorist psychology, tests the grasp reflex in a baby, circa 1916-20

17. B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) • Behaviorist • Focused on learning through rewards and observation

18. We are now moving onto Perspectives… How do we study behavior and mental processes? 7 different approaches

19. Perspectives • Perspective is a way of viewing phenomena • Psychology has multiple perspectives • Biological • Psychodynamic • Behavioral • Humanistic • Cognitive • Cross-Cultural • Evolutionary

20. Biological Perspective • Study the physiological mechanisms in the brain and nervous system that organize and control behavior • Focus may be at various levels • individual neurons • areas of the brain • specific functions like eating, emotion, or learning • Interest in behavior distinguishes biological psychology from many other biological sciences

21. Biological Perspective • Focus: How our biological structures and substances underlie a given behavior, thought, or emotion • Behavior is explained by brain chemistry, genetics, glands, etc.

22. Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic Perspective • View of behavior based on experience treating patients • Psychoanalytic approach (Sigmund Freud) • both a method of treatment and a theory of the mind • behavior reflects combinations of conscious and unconscious influences • drives and urges within the unconscious component of mind influence thought and behavior • early childhood experiences shape unconscious motivations

23. Psychoanalytic Perspective • Focus: How behavior is affected by unconscious drives and conflicts • Behavior is explained through unconscious motivation and unresolved inner conflicts from one’s childhood.

24. Behavioral Perspective • View of behavior based on experience or learning • Classical conditioning • Operant conditioning

25. Behavioral Perspective • Focus: How we learn through rewards, punishments, and observation • Behavior is explained by previous learning

26. Humanistic Perspective • Developed by Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers • behavior reflects innate ‘actualization’ • focus on conscious forces and self perception • more positive view of basic forces than Freud’s

27. Carl Rogers (1902–1987) Abraham Maslow (1908–1970)

28. Humanistic Perspective • Focus: How healthy people strive to reach their full potential • Behavior is explained as being motivated by satisfying needs (safety, hunger, thirst, etc.), with the goal of reaching one’s full potential once basic needs are met.

29. Cognitive Perspective • How is knowledge acquired, organized, remembered, and used to guide behavior? • Influences include • Piaget – studied intellectual development • Chomsky – studied language • Cybernetics – science of information processing

30. Cognitive Perspective • Focus: On how people think and process information • Behavior is explained by how a person interprets the situation

31. Cross-Cultural Perspective • The study of psychological differences among people living in different cultural groups • How are people’s thoughts, feelings and behavior influenced by their culture? • What are the common elements across culture? Are these innate?

32. Cross-Cultural Perspective • Focus: How thinking and behavior change depending on the setting or situation • Behavior is explained by the influence of other people present

33. Evolutionary Perspective • Influenced by Darwin and the emphasis on innate, adaptive behavior patterns • Application of principles of evolution to explain behavior and psychological processes

34. Evolutionary Perspective • From Darwin’s theories of evolution • The idea that we have the same ancestors as primates so they can shed light into why we behave the way we do. • Used in pop-culture frequently

35. Time to Move Stand up with your notes Count off 1 to 7 Wait for directions

36. Find and group with your number Ones with ones Twos with twos Etc.

37. Group assignments 1 - Cognitive 2 – Biological 3 - Social–Cultural 4 – Behavioral 5 - Humanistic 6 – Psychoanalytical 7 - Evolutionary

38. Your mission You have 5 minutes to come up with a scenario to teach the class about your perspective. Groups will have to present this to the class… make sure you have fun

39. Let’s Review 1 - Cognitive 2 – Biological 3 - Social–Cultural 4 – Behavioral 5 - Humanistic 6 – Psychoanalytical 7 – Evolutionary

41. The Profession of Psychology • American Psychological Association has 53 divisions • Some represent areas of training and specialization (e.g., developmental, clinical) • Some are applied (i.e., teaching in psychology, psychology and the law)

44. Review

45. Psychology should study how behavior and mental processes allow organisms to adapt to their environments. School/Approach Evolutionary perspective Founder Charles Darwin

46. Psychology should emphasize people’s unique potential for psychological growth. School/Approach Humanistic Founder Maslow

47. Psychology should only study observable behavior. School/Approach Behaviorism Founder Watson/Skinner

48. Goals of Psychology • Describe • Explain • Predict • Control behavior and mental processes

49. Scientific Method • Formulate testable questions • Develop hypotheses • Design study to collect data • Experimental • Descriptive • Analyze data to arrive at conclusions • Use of statistical procedures • Use of meta-analysis • Report results • Publication • Replication

50. Theory • Tentative explanation for observed findings • Results from accumulation of findings of individual studies • Tool for explaining observed behavior • Reflects self-correcting nature of scientific method.