THE FIELD OF PSYCHOLOGY

Chapter 1

“REAL PSYCHOLOGY” Handwriting experiment

Neat: follow directions well, ask questionsSloppy: don’t follow directions or ask

questions

Accuracy of predictions? Scientific evidence to support claims?

WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY? Scientific study of mental processes and

behavior (How does the brain work?) Psychologists use “theories” (ideas) to

create experiments

COOL QUESTIONS Claim? Objective evidence for and against

claim? Other interpretations of evidence? Logical conclusion?

TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGY Research- study origin, cause, results of

behaviorDone in a laboratory

Applied- make use of research foundDone in the real world

JOBS Chart on page 4

PSYCHOLOGY AND CARS Design a car that will implement the

following goals: 1. Increase alertness2. Improve reaction time3. Get people to wear seatbelts4. Get people to obey traffic laws5. Make long-distance trips more

comfortable6. Eliminate drunk driving

HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY Darwin- animals and humans adapt to fit

surroundingsSurvival of the fittestOthers perform same/similar behavior to

survive Wundt- “Father of Psychology”

First laboratory to study humansBreak down the human mind as we break

down parts of other things Introspection- describing thoughts, feelingsObjective- giving a true explanation with no

outside ideas/bias

HISTORY CONTINUED Freud- Personality

Adult problems can be traced to childhood events

Unconscious self James-psychology textbook

How do humans function in their environment? How are thoughts connected?

Watson- Learning and human emotion Behaviorism- what we do depends on what we

feel Built upon past experiences Parenting prevents most psychological problems

INTROSPECTION ACTIVITY Sensations/Memories brought up by

objects

ACTIVITY Watson- Learned behavior from

emotionsRubber band and feelingsWhat other behavior have you learned from

your family according the emotions you felt/received?

Freud- Did your parents “scar” you for life?

PSYCHOLOGY TODAY 6 approaches Eclecticism- taking from two or more

approaches

BIOPSYCHOLOGICAL Chemicals in body cause behavior Snake

Heart beats, breathe fast, adrenalineStress and depression

BEHAVIORAL Behavior is based upon learning and

association of experienceRewards/punishmentsSkinner and Watson

PSYCHOANALYTICAL Behavior based upon unconscious

feelingsFreud- sex and aggressionToday- perception, thinking, memory

HUMANISTIC People are good and capable of helping

themselvesMake good choicesCarl Rogers

COGNITIVE Behavior is based upon how we learn to

handle problemsPersonality characteristicsTalk to yourself

SOCIOCULTURAL Behavior is influenced by culture

Goals/Expectations

ONE ISSUE- SIX THEORIES Pg. 16- Alcoholism Which psychologist should take the

money and research the problem? (Where does the problem start?)

ANALYZING YOUR NEIGHBOR

Pg. 17 “John” Six approaches to his behavior Which one do you think is correct? Why?

FREE WILL EXERCISE List ten behaviors performed in the last

24 hours Which behaviors were forced? Free will?

CHAPTER 1 PROJECT Read Article “Big Ideas: Giving Up the

Ghost” What would happen if humans did not

have “free will”? How does free will change our

perception of people? Does free will dominate the decisions in

your life, or do you follow what other people are doing?