Introduction to the History and Science of Psychology Chapter 1 Definition Psychology the science of behavior and mental processes the mind Greek words Psyche mind logo the study of Much of psychology studies normal rather than abnormal behavior Philosophical and Physiological Roots of Psychology The Mind Body Issue Rene Descartes are the mind and body separate entities or one in the same Mind influences body and body influences mind But what came first Nativist View What are we born with or are we a blank state Darwin Influence with pysch as a science How and why did our species evolve to be modern day humans Pyschologists study how our ancestors figured out how to dominate the planet the way that we do Nature and Nurture How much of our behavior comes from our biology and how much comes from our environment Nature biology Nuture environment parents raised abused siblings environment important bc it can turn on and off genes They work together Early Schools of Thought began in 1870s for pyschology Structuralists Wundt Titchener analyzed sensations images and feelings into basic elements Wundt scientists who knew chemistry used periodic table for guideline which he called STRUCTURALISM believed we can break the human mind down into its most elemental pieces DID NOT WORK because hard to compartmental our minds Introspection means analyzing looking inward to describe experiences the two of them blind folded people and gave them something to eat GOAL wanted people to describe the experience in their most elemental experiences RESULT everyone describes it differently so its hard to compartmentalize the experience v BOTH PEOPLE are credited as the founders of psychology Functionalists James Calkins calkins first women to be in psych analyzed the function or purpose of behavior wanted to study the PURPOSE of the mind why do we have this mind What is the function of our mind Modern Schools of Thought 1 Biological Nature how the body influences behavior thoughts feelings Nervous system Brain chemicals Hormones Genetics Evolutionary psychology how our adaptive evolution affects us today Twins identical when didn t even know each other used the same exact everything 2 Learning Behaviorism Nurture how environment and experience affect behavior thoughts feelings Behaviorism what we can see Reinforcement and punishment Strict radical behaviorists Skinner and Watson believes biology has nothing to do with anything it is all what you learn not true though But environment can shape your genes as well Behavior modification 3 Cognitive how thoughts affect behavior feelings go into something with a positive attitude will be better for you thoughts are your reality Reasoning Intelligence Beliefs thoughts Memory 4 Sociocultural how social and cultural influences affect thoughts feelings behavior how society and culture influence who you are looks at how if you were born a different gender or grew up elsewhere how would that change you Most underestimate the power of culture and society 5 Psychodynamic how unconscious conflicts inner forces affect behavior thoughts feelings Freud Family of origin childhood issues We have an unconscious ex driving car and forget how you got from place A to B 6 Humanistic how to create a fulfilled life believe our core and nature are good if given right experiences and opportunities we would all be good Free Will Choices Be all that you can be be your best Positive psychology studies happiness of psychology OCD BEHAVIOR VIDEO Schools of thought in action 1 People with OCD are consumed by anxious thoughts COGNITIVE 2 OCD symptoms can be brought on by hidden unconscious fears stemming from childhood experiences PSYCHODYNAMIC 3 Compulsive behaviors are reinforced because they reduce anxiety BEHAVIORISM 4 OCD behavior is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain BIOLIGICAL 5 A National emphasis on perfection promotes OCD symptoms SOCIOCULTURAL 6 OCD can manifest when we are not living a meaningful and fulfilled life Specialty Areas in Psychology Basic Psychology research publish Applied Psychology finding practical uses for the research applying the research to real life situations Types of Psychologists Experimental Psychologist focus on laboratory studies of various topics is the advisor to other types of psychologists so they know the best way to test a hypothesis experiment Educational Psychologist research ways to improve educational systems Developmental Psychologist how we grow and change throughout the lifespan Industrial Organizational Psychologist behavior in the work place effective business practices Psychometric Psychologists design and evaluate tests interest personality IQ School Psychologist works with parents teachers students to solve problems Clinical Psychologist focus on understand and treating emotional problems abnormal or dysfunctional behavior Counseling Psychologist focus on helping people with adjustment problems and helping people make career choices Still Face Experiment video shows how baby reacts to the mothers still face mom does not show any type of emotion The Big Question What s a shrink Clinical Psychologist Psychiatrist Goals of Psychology Describe teens drug use and their attitudes about drug use collect date analyze results Totally made up date but an example Use drugs 60 not use drugs 20 use 20 don t drugs are bad drugs are good Attitude about drugs drugs are good Predict What future trend can we predict based on the data we collected Predict teen drug use will increase in the next 5 years Understand why do teens use drugs Why do they think its okay Modify change things for the better how can we influence teens so that they don t use drugs or think its okay to use them How Psychologists Do Research Theory explanation of something WHY Hypothesis a prediction based on a theory more specific version of your theory is testable specifically test the prediction of hypothesis EXAMPLES All made up Theory the media influences teens to use drugs one of the reasons teens may use drugs Hypothesis the more media a teen is exposed to the more likely the teen is to use drugs Theory aggressive people are bad drivers Hypothesis the more aggressive a person is the worse his her driving will be Operational Definition how what is in question will be measured defining a term from the hypothesis in a measurable way measures are very important and are a big part of research Defining a term from the hypothesis in a measurable way EXAMPLES operationalize
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