PSYC 1103 1st Edition Lecture 1 Outline of Last Lecture I. Introduction to the course: syllabusOutline of Current Lecture II. What is psychology?A. Science of mental processes and behaviorIII. Key approaches of PsychologyIV. Aims of PsychologyCurrent LectureEverybody knows:- Bias perspective:o “Science of what’s wrong with people”Dictionary definition:- The science of mind and behavior (mental processes and behavior)o Three key components: Science- systematic methods; psychology uses these methods to figure out answers to questions Behavior- what can be directly observed Mental processes- thoughts, feelings, and motives; they inform our behavior. We behave according to these mental processesSigmund Freud- “I have found little that is ‘good’ about human beings on the whole in my experience most of them are trash”- He is the face of psychologyA lot of people believe psychology is about:- Psychological disorders and therapies- BUT psychology is about even more than that:o Introductory psychology is an opportunity to learn about all of human behavior and mental processes- Psychology is a science about youo How you became the person you are What things influence this?- Family you belong to- The way your brain processes information How would these things change your life o What things explain your behavioro Understand the whole of psychologyo Understanding the whole person; including strengths and weaknessesPsych is study of- Human developments- Achievements- Creativity- Falling in love- Feeling sad happy and curious- Social interactions and relationships- Seeing hearing and feelingPsych is the science of how to live everyday to the fullest- to be the best you can beSeveral key approaches:Historical perspective:- Psychology is born out of other fieldso Biology and physiologyo Western philosophy- There is a distinction between mind and bodyo Should be examined in their own right- Wilhelm Wundto Established the first psychology labWundt structuralism:- Identified structures of the mindo Basic elements of mental processes; specific sensations of feelings that a stimulus createso How perceiving something is played out Break down each sensationo AKA introspections: “look inward”- it is used to study structures. Find out exactly what it is you are experiencing- Detailed self reports- systematicJames functionalismThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.- Human interactions with outside world- Focus on naturalistic observations of the whole unity- Identified the functions and purposes of the mind (what do mental processes accomplish?)- What purpose does it serve?Contemporary approaches- Current psychological approacheso Biological Focuses on heredity, the brain, and the nervous system Neuroscience:- Study of the structure function development genetics biochemistry of the nervous system- Brain and nervous system are central to understanding behavior though and emotion- Example: study hormonal processes through testing salivao Behavioral Focuses on the environmental determinants of observable behavior Behaviorism:- Dominated psychological research during 1st half of 20th century- Contradicted geneticists’ focus on heredity- Rejected focus on thought processes- S—R (stimulus--response)o Stimulus leads to behavior responseo We can predict what behavior we see happening B.F Skinner study on animals (pigeon YouTube video) John Watson “Little Albert” experimento Psychodynamic Emphasizes:- Unconscious thought- Conflict between biological drives and demands of society- Early childhood family experiences- “We have constant conflict happen between what we want to do and the constraints of society in the ways we actually can behave.”o Humanistic Positive human qualities Capacity for positive growth Free will Try to understand what’s good about people, there’s more good than bad in people so to understand what they do we have to focus on these good qualities Helps realize full potential of humansThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute. Choices about the way we behaveo Cognitive Emphasize mental processes involved in knowing Information processing:- How humans interpret incoming information, weigh it, store it, and apply ito Evolutionary Uses ideas such as adaptation, reproduction, and natural selection to explain human behavior Charles Darwin- Engage in those behaviors that are likely our genes will pass on to make our species carry on Key ideas:- Environmental changes alter course of evolution- Competition for resources and reproductive mates- Genetic characteristics that promote survival and reproduction arefavoredo Sociocultural Examines how social and cultural environments influence behavior and mental processes How does our environment influence the way we behave How does Facebook, Jersey Shore, McDonalds influence the way we operate and think about the world? Can think about cultural differences in women’s roles- How they tend to behave to be socially acceptable Individualistic cultures:- Individuals views as unique and distinct form their social group- Value independence- Dominance over others Individualistic subjects:- Prefer to work on tasks that they have had previously success with- Like to emphasize their success Collectivistic cultures:- Social group and the individuals role within the group- Value interdependence Collectivistic subjects:- Prefer to work on tasks that they have difficulty with- Self critical view- Each theory contributes something different, they are not contradictory to one another- There are many approaches but they have the same goal in mindThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.Aims of psychology- directed to behavior- Describe- Explain- PredictToward these aims there are... 4 attitudes:- Curiosity- Objectivityo Should not allow our own values to influence the conclusions we make- Skepticismo Embrace it. Make sure things are not good to be true. Re-test your results- Critical thinkingo Can be applied in everyday life: Chain