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Chapter 1What is Psychology?

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Defining Psychology

Psychology in Historical Perspective

Contemporary Approaches to Psychology

What Psychologists Do

Science of Psychology and Health and Wellness

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Psychology: Defined

Psychology is the scientific study of

behavior and mental processes.

Three Key Components

science – systematic methods

behavior – what can be directly observed

mental processes – thoughts, feelings, motives

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Science of Psychology

Critical Thinking

Skepticism

Objectivity

Curiosity

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Psychology – A General Science

Psychology is not limited to the study

of psychological disorders.

Freud’s view of human nature

positive psychology

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Narcissism Epidemic

Narcissism…unusually self-confident,

self-assertive, and self-centered.

Generation born since 1980s

“More narcissistic than early generations”

vs.

“Attitudes have been stable over time”

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History of Psychology

Western Philosophy

Biology and Physiology

Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920)

1879 – established 1st psychology lab

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Wundt’s Structuralism

identified structures of the mind

introspection

systematic, detailed self-reports

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James’ Functionalism

identified the functions and purposes

of the mind

stream of consciousness

human interactions with outside world

why is human thought adaptive?

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Psychology and Evolution

Charles Darwin

On the Origin of Species, 1859

Natural Selection

competition for resources

genetic characteristics that promote

reproduction and survival are favored

environmental changes alter course of

evolution

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Contemporary Approaches

Current Psychological Perspectives

Biological

Behavioral

Psychodynamic

Humanistic

Cognitive

Evolutionary

Sociocultural

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Biological Approach

The biological approach focuses on the

brain and nervous system.

Neuroscience

study of the structure, function, development,

genetics, biochemistry of the nervous system

thoughts and emotions have physical basis in brain

allowed psychologists to better understand the brain

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Behavioral Approach

The behavioral approach focuses on the

environmental determinants

of observable behavior.

Notable Behaviorists

John Watson

B.F. Skinner

rejected thought processes

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Psychodynamic Approach

Psychodynamics emphasizes

unconscious thought

conflict between biological drives and

demands of society

early childhood family experiences

Psychoanalysis - Freud

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Humanistic Approach

Humanists emphasize

positive human qualities

capacity for positive growth

free will

Humanistic Theorists

Carl Rogers

Abraham Maslow

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Cognitive Approach

The cognitive approach emphasizes the

mental processes involved in knowing.

Information Processing

…how humans interpret incoming info, weigh it,

store it, and apply it

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Evolutionary Approach

The evolutionary approach uses ideas such

as adaptation, reproduction, and natural

selection to explain human behavior.

Evolutionary Psychologists

David Buss

Leda Cosmides

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Sociocultural Approach

examines how social and cultural

environments influence behavior and mental

processes

studies differences between ethnic and

cultural groups within and across countries

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Careers in Psychology

Practice / Applied

Research

Teaching

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Areas of Specialization

Physiological Psych / Behavioral Neuroscience

Sensation and Perception

Learning

Cognitive Psychology

Developmental Psychology

Motivation & Emotion

Psychology of Women & Gender

Personality Psychology

Social Psychology

Industrial / Organizational Psychology

Clinical & Counseling Psychology

Health Psychology

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Areas of Specialization

Also (but not addressed in text beyond this chapter)

Community Psychology

School & Educational Psychology

Environmental Psychology

Forensic Psychology

Sport Psychology

Cross-Cultural Psychology

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Career Settings in Psychology

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Influence of Culture

Individualistic Cultures

individuals viewed as unique and distinct

from their social group

value independence

Collectivistic Cultures

emphasize social group and the individual’s

role within that group

value interdependence

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Influence of Culture

Individualistic subjects

prefer to work on tasks that they have had

previous success with

like to emphasize their successes

Collectivistic subjects

prefer to work on tasks that they have

difficulty with

self-critical view

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Science of Psychology and

Health and Wellness

Mind-Body Connections

how the mind impacts the body

how the body impacts the mind

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Chapter Summary

Explain what psychology is and how it differs from an every-day, informal approach to understanding human nature.

Discuss the roots and early scientific foundations of psychology.

Summarize the main themes of the seven approaches to psychology.

List some of the areas of specialization and careers in psychology.

Describe the connections between the mind and the body.

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Chapter Summary

Defining Psychology

scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Historical Foundations of Psychology

origins in philosophy and physiology

structuralism – Wilhelm Wundt

functionalism – William James

evolutionary theory – Charles Darwin

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Chapter Summary

Contemporary Approaches to Psychology

current approaches – complementary

Specializations and Careers in Psychology

practice, research, teaching

academic, clinic, private practice, industry, school

Science of Psychology and

Health and Wellness

mind-body connection is a “two-way street”