Chapter 1 Introducing Psychology

1. Chapter 1Introducing Psychology

2. What Is Psychology? • Psychology • Psyche: Mind • Logos: Knowledge or study • Definition: The scientific study of behavior and mental processes • Behavior: can be directly observed (crying) • Mental Processes: cannot be directly observed (remembering); private, internal

3. What Might a Psychologist Research? • Development: Course of human growth and development • Learning: How and why it occurs in humans and animals • Personality: Traits, motivations, and individual differences • Sensation and Perception: How we come to know the world through our five senses

4. What Might a Psychologist Research?(cont’d) • Social: Human and social behavior • Cultural: How culture affects human behavior • Cognitive: How reasoning, problem solving, and other mental processes relate to human behavior • Evolutionary: How our behavior is guided by patterns that evolved during human history

5. Figure 1.3a FIGURE 1.3 (a) Specialties in psychology. Percentages are approximate. Any particular psychologist might do several of these activities during a work week (APA, 1998). As you can see, most psychologists specialize in applied areas and work in applied settings.

6. Figure 1.3b FIGURE 1.3. (b) Where psychologists work. Any particular psychologist might do several of these activities during a work week (APA, 1998). As you can see, most psychologists specialize in applied areas and work in applied settings.

7. Figure 1.3c FIGURE 1.3 (c) This chart shows the main activities psychologists do at work. Any particular psychologist might do several of these activities during a work week (APA, 1998). As you can see, most psychologists specialize in applied areas and work in applied settings.

8. What Are the Goals of Psychology? 1. Description of Behaviors: Naming and classifying various observable, measurable behaviors 2. Understanding: The causes of behavior(s) 3. Prediction: Forecasting behavior accurately 4. Control: Altering conditions that influence behaviors • Positive Use: To control unwanted behaviors, (e.g., smoking, tantrums, etc.) • Negative Use: To control peoples’ behaviors without their knowledge

9. History of Psychology (Brief!): Beginnings • Wilhelm Wundt: “Father” of Psychology • 1879: Set up first lab to study conscious experience • Stimulus: Any physical energy that affects the person and provokes a response • Introspection: Looking inward (i.e., examining and reporting your thoughts, feelings, etc.) • Wundt’s ideas brought to the U.S. and renamed Structuralism

10. History of Psychology: William James • William James (American) and Functionalism • How the mind functions to help us adapt to our environment • Functionalists admired Darwin and his theory of Natural Selection: Animals keep features through evolution that help them adapt to environments

11. Many Flavors of Psychologists • Psychologists: Usually have masters or doctorate. Trained in methods, knowledge, and theories of psychology. • Clinical Psychologists: Treat psychological problems or do research on therapies and mental illnesses • Counseling Psychologists: Treat milder problems, such as poor adjustment at work or at a school • Psychiatrists: MD; usually use medications to treat problems. Generally do not have extensive training in providing “talk” therapy.

12. Many Flavors of Psychologists (cont’d) • Psychoanalysts: Receive additional Freudian psychoanalytic training post-Ph.D. or M.D. at an institute. • Counselors: Advisers who help solve problems with marriage, career, school, or work • Psychiatric Social Workers: Many have masters degrees and perform psychotherapy. • Use social science principles. • Presently a very popular profession. • Not all psychologists perform therapy!