Introduction to the Science of Psychology

1. Chapter 1 Introduction to the Science of Psychology

2. Psychology: the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. It includes peoples behaviors, thoughts, emotions, perceptions, reasoning processes, memories, and the biological activities that maintain bodily functions. Psychologist try to describe, predict, and explain human behavior and mental processes as well as helping to change and improve the lives of people and the world in which they live. They use scientific methods to study mind and behavior.

3. Subfields of Psychology Behavioral Neuroscience: Mainly examines how the brain and nervous system and other biological processes determine behavior. Experimental Psychology: studies the process of sensing, perceiving, learning, and thinking about the world. Cognitive Psychology: focuses on higher mental processes, judging, decision making, and language. Developmental Psychology: studies how people grow and change from the moment of conception through death. Personality Psychology: focuses on consistency in people�s behavior over time and the traits that differentiate one person from another. Clinical Psychology: deals with the study of, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders. Health Psychology: explores the relationship between psychological factors and physical ailments or disease. Counseling Psychology: focuses primarily on educational, social, and career adjustments. Social Psychology: study of how people�s thoughts, feelings, and actions are affected by others. Cross �Cultural Psychology: Investigates the similarities and differences in psychological functioning in and across various cultures and ethnic groups. Evolutionary Psychology: considers how behavior is influenced by our genetic inheritance from our ancestors. Behavioral Genetics: seeks to understand how we might inherit certain behavioral traits and how the environment influences whether we actually display such traits. Clinical Neuropsychology: unites the areas of neuroscience and clinical psychology.

4. A Brief History of Psychology Wundt and the Structuralism of Titchener Use the methods of laboratory science to study the consciousness. Changed psychology from a philosophy to a science. Introspection: A procedure in which an observer describes the simple elements of a complex experience in as much detail as possible. Structuralism focuses on uncovering the fundamental mental components of consciousness, thinking, and other kinds of mental states and activities. Gestalt Psychology The conscious should be studied in it�s entirety and not piece by piece. Emphasizes how perception is organized. THE WHOLE IS GREATER THAN THE SUM OF IT�S PARTS (Our perception, or understanding, of objects is greater and more meaningful than the individual elements that make up our perceptions.) Neuroscience: The approach that views behavior from the perspective of the brain, the nervous system, and other biological functions.

5. Psychodynamic Approach Freud and Psychoanalysis Explores the unconscious All behavior is motivated by psychological processes, especially what Freud called psychodynamic conflicts within ourselves that occur without our awareness, at an unconscious level and in which a person has little control. John B. Watson and Behaviorism Argued that observable behaviors in humans and animals was the most important source of scientific information for psychology. Suggests that observable, measurable behavior should be the focus of study. Learning is the most important cause of behavior. Discounted the consciousness and the unconscious. Studied how rewards and punishments shape, maintain, and change behavior through operant conditioning. Ex. Children�s tantrums being rewarded by a teacher or parents attention. The Cognitive Perspective Focuses on how people think, understand, and reason about the world. Emphasis is on learning how people internally comprehend and represent the outside world and how our ways of thinking about the world influence out behavior. How do we make decisions? Or can we study and effectively watch TV at the same time? Humanistic Perspective The approach that suggests that all individuals naturally strive to grow, develop, and be in control of their lives and behaviors. Each of us have the capacity to seek and reach fulfillment.

6. Research Methods in Psychology Archival Research: Research in which existing data, such as census documents, college records, and newspaper clippings, are examined to test a hypothesis. May provide information on divorce rates for example. Naturalistic Observation: Watching Behavior Classrooms and playgrounds Research in which an investigator simply observes some naturally occurring behavior and does not make a change in the situation. Surveys: Looking at the Big Picture Broad pictures of large groups Research in which people chosen to represent a larger population are asked a series of questions about their behavior, thoughts, or attitudes. Case Studies: Taking a Closer Look Particular individual, group, or situation Correlational Research Research in which the relationship between two sets of variables is examined to determine relationship between the two.

7. Experiments: Exploring Cause and Effect Experiment: The investigation of the relationship between two or more variables by deliberately producing a change in one variable and observing the effects of that change on other aspects of the situation. Independent Variable: the variable that is manipulated by the experimenter. Dependent Variable : The variable that is measured and is expected to change. Experimental Group: any group participating in an experiment that receives a treatment. Control Group : A group participating in an experiment that receives no treatment. Random Assignment : A procedure in which participants are assigned to different experimental groups or conditions on the basis of chance. One of psychologists� key ethical principles is Informed Consent. Before participating in an experiment, the participants must sign a document affirming that they have been told the basic outlines of the study and are aware of what their participation will involve, what risks the experiment may hold, and the fact that their participation is voluntary and they may terminate at any time. After participation in the study, they must be given a debriefing in which they receive and explanation of the study and procedures that were involved.