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Chapter 1 The Science of Psychology

Chapter 1 The Science of Psychology. A Little Exercise. See in class!. Topics to Explore. The Science of Psychology Major Perspectives in Psychology Psychologists & Their Specialties. Part 1 The Science of Psychology. What is Psychology?. Psychology Psyche : Mind

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Chapter 1 The Science of Psychology

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  1. Chapter 1The Science of Psychology

  2. A Little Exercise See in class!

  3. Topics to Explore • The Science of Psychology • Major Perspectives in Psychology • Psychologists & Their Specialties

  4. Part 1The Science of Psychology

  5. What is Psychology? • Psychology • Psyche: Mind • Logos: Knowledge or study • Definition: The science of behavior and mental processes • Science: Theories tested with research using scientific • method • Behavior: Overt; i.e., can be directly observed (crying) • Mental Processes: Covert; i.e., cannot be directly observed (remembering)

  6. Scientific Theory • Scientific Theory: A system of ideas that interrelates facts and concepts, summarizes existing data, and predicts future observations • A good theory must be falsifiable; i.e., operationally defined so that it can be disconfirmed

  7. Concepts & Operational Definitions

  8. Scientific Method

  9. Empiricism • To measure and describe behaviors • To gather empirical evidence: information gained from direct observation and measurement • To gather data: observed facts

  10. Example of Empirical Study Study by Kenrick & MacFarlane (1986) blocking intersec-tion with a stalled car. Recorded daily temperature and number of times other drivers honked at the stalled car.

  11. Part 2Major Perspectives in Psychology

  12. A Look Back in History: The Psychodynamic View • Key Idea: Behavior is directed by forces within one’s personality; forces that are often hidden or unconscious • Emphasizes internal impulses, desires, and conflicts (especially in the unconscious) • Views behavior as the result of clashing forces within personality • Has a somewhat negative, pessimistic view of human nature • Major contributor: Sigmund Freud • We will explore Freud’s theory later in the semester

  13. Sigmund Freud

  14. Perspective 1: The Biological View • Key Idea: Behavior is the result of internal physical, chemical, and biological processes. • Seeks to explain behavior through the activity of the brain and nervous system, physiology, genetics, the endocrine system, biochemistry, and evolution • Has a neutral, reductionistic, mechanistic view of human nature • Some research methods • Uses brain scans to gather data (CT, MRI, PET) • Looks at neurotransmitters • Treats psychological problems with medications

  15. Perspective 2: The Cognitive View • Key Idea: Much human behavior can be understood in terms of the mental processing of information • Concerned with thinking, knowing, perception, understanding, memory, decision making and judgment • Explains behavior in terms of information processing • Has a neutral, somewhat computer-like view of human nature.

  16. Perspective 3: The Behavioral View • Key Idea: Behavior is shaped and controlled by the environment. • Emphasizes the study of observable behavior and the effects of learning • Stresses the influence of external rewards and punishments • Has a neutral, scientific, mechanistic view of human nature • Major contributors to Behaviorism: Watson and Skinner • Events in environment  Behavior • Watson studied Little Albert; Skinner studied animals almost exclusively

  17. Ivan Pavlov

  18. B. F. Skinner

  19. Perspective 4: Sociocultural Approach • Many thoughts and behaviors are influenced by our culture. • Psychologists need to be aware of the impact cultural diversity may have on our behaviors. • What is acceptable in one culture might be unacceptable in another. • Cultural Relativity: Behavior must be judged relative to the values of the culture in which it occurs. • Norms: Rules that define acceptable and expected behavior for membersof various groups.

  20. Relative Prominence of Major Schools of Thought

  21. Part 3Psychologists and Their Specialties

  22. Many Flavors of Therapists • Psychologists: Usually have masters or doctorate. Trained in methods, knowledge, and theories of psychology. • Psychiatrists: MD; usually use medications to treat problems. Generally do not have extensive training in providing “talk” therapy. • Psychoanalysts: Receive additional training post-Ph.D. or M.D. at an institute. • Psychiatric Social Workers: Many have masters degrees and perform psychotherapy. Presently a very popular profession. • Not all psychologists perform therapy!

  23. Specialties in Psychology

  24. Where Psychologists Work

  25. What Psychologists Do (Primary Activity)

  26. Psychological Viewpoint Questionnaire See in class!

  27. Psychological Viewpoint Questionnaire Score Sheet See in class!

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