PSY 110 1st Edition Lecture 1 Outline of Last Lecture I. N/A Outline of Current Lecture I. Intro to PsychII. Structuralism and FunctionalismIII. Schools of Thought in PsychologyIV. Contemporary Psychology PerspectivesV. Research EvaluationVI. Observational and Case StudiesVII. Survey ResearchVIII. Correlation MethodIX. Experimental MethodX. Experimental Method LimitationsCurrent LectureIntro to PsychPsychology: Scientific study of behavior and mental processes**Science is NOT a science because of subject matter!**field of study = science IF it requires scientific method to acquire knowledgeScientific Method: Orderly, systematic procedures researchers follow1. Observe and theorize2. Formulate hypothesis3. Design a study4. Collect dataThese 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.5. Apply results to hypothesisTheory- General principle or set of principles proposed to explain how a number of separate facts are related (belongs to step 1)Hypothesis- Specific prediction that can be predicted empirically with data (belongs to step 2)Replication- Process in which a researcher or psychologist repeats the study using the same procedure (crucial part to step 5!)Goals of Psychology:1. Description. Identifying and classifying behaviors/mental processes as accurately as possible.2. Explanation. Proposing reasons for behaviors and mental processes.3. Prediction. Offering predictions (hypotheses) about how a given [set of] condition(s) will affect behaviors/mental processes.4. Influence. Using results of research to solve practical problems involving behavior/mental processes. (*real world application)2 Types of Research:1. Basic Research- Seeking new knowledge and exploring/advancing general scientific understanding. Explore topics like:- Nature of memory- Brain function- Motivation- Emotional expression2. Applied Research- Conducted specifically for purpose of solving practical problems and improving quality of life. Helps with real world situations and is primarily concerned with 4th goal of psychology (influence). Explores topics like:- Methods to improve memory- Methods to increase motivation- Therapies to treat psychological disorders- Ways to decrease stressStructuralism & FunctionalismFather of Psychology = Wilhelm Wundt (from Germany)- Studied social and cultural influences on human thought- Established first psychological lab @ University of LeipzigIntrospection- Looking inward to examine one’s own conscious experience and then reporting that experience.Wundt’s Famous Student = Edward Titchener- Took field of psychology to US- Set up psychological lab @ Cornell UniversityStructuralism- Analyzing basic elements (structure) of conscious mental experience- Major criticism: introspection is NOT objective**Titchener believed that consciousness can be reduced down to its basic elements**Structuralism no longer exists: it did not survive after Titchener’s death, but paved the way for psych as a scienceFunctionalism- Focused on how mental processes function; how humans and animals use mental processes in adapting to their environment(s).- Charles Darwin largely contributed to ideas of functionalism, mostly pertaining to animals- William James = advocate for functionalism, did much of his writing before functionalismemerged- Primarily taught that mental processes are fluid and have continuity rather than the rigid/fixed structure suggested by structuralists.**Broadened the scope of psych to include study of behavior as well as mental processes**Allowed for study of children, animals, and the mentally impaired.Contemporary Psych vs. Past:- More women studying psych than in past- Used to be referred to as “White man’s study”- Still a disproportionality in gender and race in psych fieldSchools of Thought in PsychologyBehaviorism: Study of behavior because behavior is observable and measurable, and therefore objective and scientific.Founder = John Watson  disagreed with everything structuralists and functionalists believedRedefined psych as the science of behaviorMost influential school of psych until 1960’sEnvironment is key determinant of behavior**B.F. Skinner agreed with Watson and argued that mind, consciousness, and feelings are NOT needed to explain behaviorBehavior Can Be Explained By:1. Analyzing conditions that are present before a behavior occurs2. Analyzing the consequences that follow that behavior**researched operant conditioning and emphasized importance of reinforcement in learning, shaping, and maintaining behaviorOperant Conditioning- Behaviors that are reinforced are more likely to occur again.Psychoanalysis: Human mental life = iceberg- Small visible tip = conscious mind- Underwater iceberg = unconscious mind full of impulses, wishes, and desires- Humans do not consciously control their thoughts, feelings, and behavior  determined by unconscious forces- Neo-Freudians = Karen Horney, Carl Jung, and Alfred Adler**Freud placed HUGE importance on sexual and aggressive impulses**a lot of controversy on psychoanalysisHumanistic Psychology: Focuses on the uniqueness of human beings and their capacity for choice, growth, and psychological health.- People are innately good- Humans possess free will- Everyone is unique; focus on uniqueness- Even in adverse situations, humans can still thrive**Maslow and Rogers pointed out that Freud based his observations on his most disturbed patients.Theories They Reject: Important Names:1. Behaviorism (Watson) 1. Abraham Maslow2. Psychoanalysis (Freud) 2. Carl RogersMaslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Client-Centered Therapy- Approach in which client or patient directs a discussion focused on hisor her own view of the problem rather than on a therapist’s analysis.- Developed by Carl Jung- Also popularized group therapyPositive Psychology: Scientific study of psychological characteristics (such as optimism) that enable individuals and communities to thrive in the face of adversity.- These characteristics help to protect individuals from traumatic experiences- Type of humanistic psych.- Important Name: Martin SeligmanCognitive Psychology: See humans as active participants that:- Seek out experiences- Alter and shape