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Introduction

Introduction. What is Psychology? Goals of Psychology Perspectives on Behavior. I. What Is Psychology. Psychology defined… The science of behavior and mental processes. (text) The scientific study of behavior and the factors that influence it. II. Goals of Psychology. To Observe

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Introduction

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  1. Introduction • What is Psychology? • Goals of Psychology • Perspectives on Behavior

  2. I. What Is Psychology Psychology defined… • The science of behavior and mental processes. (text) • The scientific study of behavior and the factors that influence it.

  3. II. Goals of Psychology • To Observe • To Understand • To Predict • To Control/Influence

  4. III. Perspectives on Behavior • Biological - Neuroscience, Evolutionary, Behavior Genetics • Psychodynamic • Behavioral • Cognitive • Sociocultural • Humanistic

  5. Thinking Critically about Psychological Science • Two Approaches to Understanding Behavior • Scientific Attitudes • Steps in the Scientific Process • Defining and Measuring Variables • Methods of Research

  6. I. Two Approaches to Understanding Behavior • World War II Survey

  7. WW II Survey • Motivation to become officers was higher among White soldiers than Black soldiers. • During basic training, soldiers from rural backgrounds had higher moral and adapted better than soldiers from cities. • During combat, soldiers with higher IQs were more fearful and likely to develop psychological disorders than soldiers with lower IQs. • Soldiers serving in Europe were more highly motivated to go home while the war was going on than they were after the war had ended. (Duh!)

  8. II. Scientific Attitudes • Curiosity • “Hmmm… I wonder why that is?” • Skepticism • “How exactly do you know that? • Humility • “Yes, it is possible I could be wrong.” • Openmindedness: • “That is an interesting possibility.”

  9. “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” -Albert Einstein

  10. III. Steps in the Scientific Process • Initial Observation • Form Hypothesis (Usually based on Theory) • Test Hypothesis (Conduct Research) • Analyze Data • Further Research & Theory Building • Form and Test New Hypotheses

  11. Hypotheses and Theories • Hypothesis • a testable prediction, often implied by a theory (typically takes an “If… then…” form) • Theory • An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes and predicts observations OR… • Formal statements that explain how and why events are related

  12. Statistical Significance • Defined: A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result (in a study) occurred by chance. • If a result is “statistically significant,” this means that it is unlikely to have been caused by chance. (thus, something interesting is probably going on) • If a result is NOT statistically significant, this means that it is likely to have been caused by chance. (most likely nothing interesting is going on)

  13. IV. Defining and Measuring Variables

  14. V. Methods of Research • Description • Correlation • Experimentation

  15. Representative Samples and Random Selection • Survey sample needs to be representative • A representative sample closely matches the larger population on important characteristics • In other words, the sample is a miniature version of the population (Mini-Me versus Dr. Evil) • Representative samples are usually created using random selection • Each member of a population has an equal chance of being selected to be in the sample.

  16. Psychology

  17. Biological Foundations of Behavior • Introduction • A Microscopic View: The Neuron • Basic Divisions of the Nervous System • A Macroscopic View: The Brain

  18. I. Introduction

  19. II. A Macroscopic View: The Neuron

  20. How Do Drugs Achieve Their Effects?

  21. Agonist • Defined: Any drug that enhances or helps the effect of a neurotransmitter. • Examples: • Cocaine and amphetamines are dopamine agonists • Nicotine is an acetylcholine (ACh) agonist

  22. Antagonist • Defined: Any drug that counter acts or hinders the effect of a neurotransmitter. • Examples: • 1st schizophrenia medications were dopamine antagonists • botulinum toxin (botulism poisoning) is an acetylcholine (Ach) antagonist

  23. III. Divisions of the Nervous System

  24. IV. A Macroscopic View: The Brain

  25. A. How Do We Learn about the Brain?

  26. Brain Imaging: CT or CAT Scan

  27. Brain Imaging: PET Scan

  28. Brain Imaging: MRI

  29. Brain Imaging: fMRI

  30. Brain Imaging: Diffusion Tensor Imaging (MRI)

  31. B. Structures of the Brain • Hindbrain • Pons • Cerebellum • Medulla (Oblongata) • Midbrain • Reticular formation

  32. B. Structures of the Brain • Forebrain • Thalamus • Hypothalamus • Hippocampus • Amygdala • Cerebral Cortex

  33. Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex • Frontal • Voluntary movement, planning, speech production (Broca’s Area), working memory, impulse control • Parietal • Bodily sensations (touch, pain, coldness, etc…) • Occipital • Visual processing • Temporal • Auditory processing, speech comprehension (Wernicke’s Area)

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