The Nature of psychologyPsychology: scientific study of behavior and mindBehaviorMindPsychology’s Scientific ApproachScienceSystematically gathering and evaluating empirical evidenceAnswers questions and tests beliefs about the natural worldEmpirical evidence: evidence gained through experience and observationCritical thinking: taking an active role in understanding the worldGoals of PsychologyDescribeExplainControlApplicationBasic and Applied ResearchBasic Research: knowledge for its own sakeApplied Research: solves specific, practical problemsPsychology’s intellectual rootsMind-Body ProblemMind-body dualismMind is a spiritual entityMind is not subject to physics lawsMonismMind and body are the sameMind is not spiritually separate from the bodyMind-Body Interactions: relationship between mental processes and the functioning of other bodily systemsEx: thinking of favorite food  Hunger pangs(Psychological level) (Biological level)British Empiricism: ideas and knowledge are gained through the sensesObservation is more valid than reasonAdvances in physiology and medicineEarly school: StructuralismWilhelm Wundt: first experimental psychology laboratoryStructuralism: analysis of basic elementsIntrospection, used to understand what was going on in the mindFunctionalism: functions of consciousnessWilliam JamesModern- day fields:Cognitive psychologyEvolutionary psychologyPerspective on BehaviorsPerspectives: different ways of viewing peopleLenses for examination and interpretation of behaviorInfluenced by philosophy, medicine, sociology, anthropology etc.Psychodynamic PerspectiveCauses of behavior are internal and unconsciousPsychoanalysis: internal and unconscious psychological forcesSigmund FreudFree association: expression of any thoughts that come to mindDefense mechanisms: psychological techniques that help us cope with anxiety and painRepression: primary defense mechanismStrong emphasis on childhood sexuality and aggressive, in bornModern psychodynamic theory:Downplays importance of sexual and aggressive motivesFocuses on how unconscious processes affect behaviorEarly relationships with caregiverBehavioral PerspectiveThe external environment governs our actionsOriginsLaw of Effect (Thorndike)- when you get positive consequences of a behavior you are increasing chances that that behavior will occur“Tabula Rasa” (Locke)- we are born as a clean slateBehaviorism: emphasizes environmental control of behavior through learningOnly observable behavior should be studiedBehavior is determined by:Prior learning experiencesStimuli in current environmentBehavior modification: decreasing problem behaviors and increasing positive behaviors by manipulating environmental factorsCognitive Behaviorism: learning experiences and the environment influence our thoughtsOur thoughts influence how we haveHumanistic perspective:Free willPersonal growthMeaning of one’s existenceBelieve that everyone has inborn desire to reach their full potentialCognitive perspective:The nature of mindHow mental process influence behaviorGestalt psychology: the school of thought that examined how elements of experience are organized into wholes. This field stimulated interest in cognitive topics such as perception and problem-solving.Modern cognitive perspective:Reasoning, decisions making and brain-imaging techniquesExamines brain activity while people engage in cognitive tasksCognitive Neuroscience:Electrical recording and brain-imaging techniquesExamines brain activity while people engage in cognitive tasksSociocultural perspectiveHow the social environment and cultural learning influence our behavior, thoughts and feelingsSocial psychologyCulture: values, beliefs, behaviors and traditionsShared by large group of peoplePassed from one generation to nextNorms: rules for acceptable behavior with a groupSometimes just implicit, not written downunwritten rules of what’s acceptable with our groupsocialization: transmission internalization of cultureBiological PerspectiveHow the brain processes and other bodily functions regulate behaviorBehavioral neuroscience: physiological functions that underlie behavior, sensory experiences, emotions and thoughtsNeurotransmitters: chemicals that allow nerve cells to communicate wit one anotherPsychodynamic PerspectiveSearches for the cause of behavior within the inner workings of the self and emphasize unconscious processIntegrating the PerspectiveBiological Level:Brain function and hormonesGenetic factors shaped evolutionPsychological LevelThinking, memory, and attentionDesires, values, expectations, personality characteristicsConscious and unconscious influencesIntegrating the Perspective (cont)Environmental level:Stimuli in immediate physical and social environmentPrevious life experienceCultural norms and socialization processesInteraction:Influence of one factor depends on the presence of another factorMajor themes:Psychology relies on systematic empiricismOur personal experience of the world is subjectiveBehaviors is determined by multiple casual factorsBehavior means of adapting to environmental demandsBehavior and mental processes are affected by our social and cultural environmentsEthics in psychological researchEthics: a set of standards that govern the conduct of a professorHumans referred to as participants, animals referred to as subjectsCognitive-behaviorismBlended theory that incorporates both cognitive theory and behaviorismAPA Code of Ethics:5 general principles1. Beneficence and non-malfeasanceMinimize harm, maximize benefit, prevent injury2. Fidelity and responsibilityResponsibility to societyHighest standards of professional behavior3. Integrity4. JusticeBe fair to everyoneReduce bias5. Respect for peoples right and dignitySafeguard the welfare of participantsInformed consent: study’s purpose and procedure to decide if they wish to participateVoluntary participationDeception: Participants not told all the details of the study at the onset or might be misled about procedures or purposeOnly if justified and equally effective alternative not availableDeception must be explained to participantsDebriefing: experimenter answers any questions and informs participants of the purpose of the studyDehoaxing: reveal purpose of studyDesensitizing: decrease stress and negative feelings that might have been experimented during the studyLeakage: participants talk to other potential participants and inform them of the study and its purposeIf a concern, debriefing can