PSYC 1315 1st Edition Exam 1 Study Guide Lectures 1 9 Lecture 1 January 15 Define Psychology o The scientific study of behavior and mental processes o Used to describe and explain behavior Where did psychology originate o It originated in Europe and grew out of Western Philosophy Who is Wilhelm Wundt why is he famous o Father of Psychology o He developed the structuralism approach Introspection assessing one s own thought and reasons Focuses on conscious thought Who is William James why is he famous o Father of American Psychology o he created functionalism which focused on functions and purpose of the mind focused on human interactions with the world around us stream of consciousness Structuralism vs Functionalism approach o Structuralism Introspection our conscious thoughts o Functionalism functions and purpose of the mind focused on human interactions What does the scientific approach focus on o critical thinking o skepticism challenge facts o think objectively through empirical methods of observation collecting data and logical reasoning o curiosity why are things the way they are What is positive psychology o Emphasizes human strengths 7 approaches to psychology Biological Behavioral Psychodynamic Humanistic Cognitive Evolutionary Sociocultural o Know the famous studies researchers and results that pioneered each approach o 1 Biological focuses on behavior mental processes by focusing on the body and especially the brain nervous system o o o o o o includes neuroscience the study of the structure function development genetics and biochemistry of the nervous system research of pain drugs lie detector exams 2 Behavioral observable behavioral responses and environmental determinants Ivan Pavlov Pavlovs dog experiment classical conditioning John Watson founder of behaviorism B F Skinner operant conditioning behavior that is reinforced is repeated and behavior that is not reinforced dies out 3 Psychodynamic focuses on unconscious thought conflict between internal drives and society s norms and childhood experiences Sigmund Freud psychoanalysis technique Psychoanalysis talking about dreams thoughts feelings typical patient lying on a couch talking with a therapist technique 4 Humanistic focuses on person s positive qualities potential for growth and freedom to choose one s destiny say that people make decisions based on human values such as altruism and free will altruism doing something but getting nothing in return examines motives personalities 5 Cognitive focuses on complex mental processes that influence behavior study why we remember some things and not others The mental process of the mind allows us to remember hippocampus make decisions prefrontal cortex plan premotor cortex set goals and be creative limbic system 6 Evolutionary focuses on the adaptation reproduction and natural selection evolution can affect our physical bodies and mind Charles Darwin natural selection survival of the fittest 7 Sociocultural focuses on social cultural environments influence comparing behavior across different countries as well as comparing behavior from different ethnic and cultural groups even mental diseases are cultural anorexia Lecture 2 January 17 Careers in psychology o Undergraduate some counseling Smaller high schools Special needs Human resources o Graduate masters or doctorate Therapist Counselor Researcher teacher Clinical psychologist vs psychiatrist o Clinical psychologist Cant prescribe medicine phD school is helped paid for more beneficial 1 3 year internship o psychiatrist gets medical degree pay for school out of pocket can prescribe medicine 1 3 year internship Areas of specialization 56 areas o Physiological psychology behavioral neuroscience o Sensation perception Focus on the physical system and psychological processes o Health psychology Focus on psychological factors lifestyle and the nature of health care system o Community psychology Focus on impoving quality of relationships among individuals their community and society o School education psychology Focus on children s learning adjustment in school Elementary secondary school o Environmental psychology Focus on people and the environment Oil spills o Forensic psychology Psychological concepts to legal system Testify in court as an expert o Cross cultural psychology Focus on culture s role in understanding behavior and thought Mind body connection o Mind can impact the body o The body can impact the mind Lecture 3 January 22 The 5 steps involved in conducting a scientific research experiment o 1 Observe some phenomenon study variable can make a theory o 2 Formulate a hypothesis how to test it to prove theory o 3 Test hypothesis through empirical methods collect data operationalize data o 4 Drawing conclusion analyze data to see if it supports hypothesis how does it contribute to the field Psychologists write research articles and submit for peer evaluation o 5 Evaluation of theory research should be REPLICATED can repeat study and get same results direct replication conceptual replication results are reliable How do you operationalize a variable Is there more than one way to do so o Operationalizing a variable provide description of how a variable is going to be measured and observed There are many different ways to do this What can be learned from the Duchenne Smiling Experiment How does Moebius syndrome relate to operationalizing a variable o People with Moebius syndrome cant move their facial muscles to make a smile but still felt the same happiness as normal people in the Duchenne Smiling Experiment What is important when evaluating a theory o If it can be replicated and get the same results each time o The results are reliable What is a meta analysis o The study of all previous research done on a given topic o One big summary of the research Lecture 4 January 24 What is the difference between a hypothesis and a theory o Theory a general well established explanation supported by a hypotheses o Hypothesis A specific testable prediction about what you expect to happen in your study Know the 3 types of psychological research o 1 Descriptive research describing some phenomenon methods observations surveys interviews case studies o 2 Correlational research focus on determining a relationship between 2 variables The purpose is to examine whether or how two variables change together NOT causation o 3 Experimental research used to determine whether a causal relationship exists between variables through experimental