7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
1/50
Introduction to Psychology
Chapter 1
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
2/50
What is Psychology?
Psychology - scientific study of behaviorand mental processes. (psyche & logos) Behavior - outward or overt actions and
reactions. Mental processes -internal, covert activity
of our minds.
Psychology is a science Prevent possible biases from leading to
faulty observations
Precise and careful measurementMenu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
3/50
Psychologys Four Goals
1. Description
What is happening?
2. Explanation
Why is it happening?
Theory - general explanation of a set ofobservations or facts
3. Prediction
Will it happen again?
4. Control
How can it be changed?Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
4/50
Pseudopsychologies
Pseudopsychologies - systems ofexplaining human behavior that arenot based on or consistent with
scientific evidence.
Phrenology and Physiognomy readingbumps on the skull; width of theforehead.
Palmistry reading palms.
Graphology analysis of personality
through handwriting.
Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
5/50
Indicate whether each statement is true (T) or false (F)
Once damaged, brain cells never work again. All people dream during a night of normal sleep.
As the number of bystanders at an emergency increases,the time it takes for the victim to get help decreases.
Its impossible for human beings to hear a watch ticking 20feet away.
Eyewitness testimony is often unreliable.
Chimpanzees have been taught to speak.
Creativity and high intelligence do not necessarily gotogether.
When it comes to close personal relationships, oppositesattract.
The majority of teenagers have a good relationship with theirparents.
Answers
F
T
F
F
T
F
T
F
T
Science or common sense?
Copyright Allyn & Bacon 2005
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
6/50
Psychology and the Scientific Method
Scientific method - system of gathering dataso that bias and error in measurement arereduced.
Steps in the Scientific Method:1. Perceive the question.2. Form a hypothesis tentative explanation of a
phenomenon based on observations.
3. Test the hypothesis.
4. Draw conclusions.5. Report your results so that others can try to replicate -
repeat the study or experiment to see if the sameresults will be obtained in an effort to demonstratereliability of results.
Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
7/50
Menu
The Scientific Method
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
8/50
The Experiment
Experiment - a deliberate manipulation of avariable to see if corresponding changes inbehavior result, allowing the determination ofcause-and-effect relationships.
Operational definition - definition of a variable
of interest that allows it to be directlymeasured.
Independent variable (IV) - variable in anexperiment that is manipulated by theexperimenter.
Dependent variable (DV) - variable in anexperiment that represents the measurableresponse or behavior of the subjects in theexperiment.
Menu
IV: Violent
TV
Definition:
Aggressive
play
DV:
Aggressive
play
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
9/50
The Experiment
Experimental group - subjects in an experimentwho are subjected to the independent variable.
Control group - subjects in an experiment whoare not subjected to the independent variableand who may receive a placebo treatment
(controls for confounding variables).
Random assignment - process of assigningsubjects to the experimental or control groupsrandomly, so that each subject has an equalchance of being in either group. Controls for confounding (extraneous, interfering)
variables.
Menu
Exp
Group:
Watch
TV
Control
Group:
No TV
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
10/50
Descriptive Methods
Naturalistic observation watching animalsor humans behave in their normalenvironment.
Participant observation - a naturalisticobservation in which the observer becomesa participant in the group being observed(to reduce observer effect).
Major Advantage: Realistic picture of behavior.
Disadvantage: Observer effect - tendency of people or animals
to behave differently from normal when theyknow they are being observed
Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
11/50
Descriptive Methods Laboratory observation watching animals
or humans behave in a laboratory setting. Advantages:
Control over environment. Allows use of specialized equipment.
Disadvantage: Artificial situation that may result in artificial
behavior.
Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
12/50
Descriptive Methods
Case study - study of one individual ingreat detail.
Advantage: tremendous amount of detail.
Disadvantage: cannot apply to others.
Famous case study: Phineas Gage.
Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
13/50
Descriptive Methods Surveys researchers will ask a series of questions
about the topic under study.
Given to a representative sample - randomly selectedsample of subjects from a larger population of
subjects. Population - the entire group of people or animals in which the
researcher is interested.
Advantages: Data from large numbers of people.
Study covert behaviors. Disadvantages:
Have to ensure representative sample (or results notmeaningful).
People are not always accurate (courtesy bias). Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
14/50
random sampling from population
POPULATION
SAMPLE
INFERENCE
Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
15/50
Finding Relationships
Correlation - a measure of the relationshipbetween two variables.
Variable - anything that can change or vary.
Measures of two variables go into a mathematicalformula and produce a correlation coefficient (r),which represents two things:
direction of the relationship.
strength of the relationship.
Knowing the value of one variable allowsresearchers to predict the value of the othervariable.
Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
16/50
Schools of Psychology
Structuralism - focused on structure or basicelements of the mind.
Wilhelm Wundts father of modernpsychology
Developed the technique of objectiveintrospection process of objectivelyexamining and measuring ones thoughtsand mental activities.
Edward Titchener
Wundts student; brought structuralism toAmerica.
Structuralism died out in early 1900s.
Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
17/50
Functionalism
Functionalism - how the mind allowspeople to adapt, live, work, and play.
Proposed by William James.
Influenced the modern fields of:
Educational psychology
Evolutionary psychology
Industrial/organizational psychology
Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
18/50
Gestalt Psychology
Gestaltgood figure psychology.
Started with Wertheimer, whostudied sensation and perception.
Gestalt ideas are now part of thestudy ofcognitive psychology, afield focusing not only onperception but also on learning,memory, thought processes, andproblem solving.
Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
19/50
Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis - the theory and therapybased on the work of Sigmund Freud.
Freud stressed the importance of early childhood
experiences.
Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
20/50
Behaviorism Behaviorism - the science of behavior that
focuses on observable behavior only. Must be directly seen and measured.
Proposed by John B. Watson. Based much from work of Ivan Pavlov who
demonstrated that a reflex could be conditioned(learned).
Watson believed that phobias were learned. Case of Little Albert taught to fear a white rat.
Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
21/50
Modern Perspectives1. Psychoanalytic approach (modernversion of psychoanalysis)- This perspective states that much ofour behavior stems from unconscious
processes. People may be unaware oftheir fears or desires but thesenevertheless influence behavior. Theseaffect our dreams, slips of speech,mannerisms and even manifest
themselves in emotional problems.
Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
22/50
2. Behavioral perspective when we attempt tounderstand an event, we need to look at theobservable behavior.
Ex. Children are more likely to repeat anaggressive response such as hitting another child ifthey are rewarded (spectators cheers) than whentheir responses are punished (reprimanded byadults)
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
23/50
Modern Perspectives
3. Humanistic perspective Early founders:
Abraham Maslow Carl Rogers
Humanists held the view that peoplehave free will, the freedom to choosetheir own destiny.
Belief is that an individuals principalmotivational force is a tendencytoward growth and full realization ofhis or her potentials
Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
24/50
Modern Perspectives4. Biopsychological perspective -
attributes human and animalbehavior to biological eventsoccurring in the body, such as
genetic influences, hormones, andthe activity of the nervous system.5. Cognitive perspective - focuses on
memory, intelligence, perception,problem solving, and learning.
Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
25/50
Modern Perspectives6. Sociocultural perspective - focuses
on the relationship between socialbehavior and culture.
Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
26/50
Example
An emotion such as anger can be viewedusing the different
perspectives/approaches
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
27/50
Biological study the brain circuits thattrigger the physical state of being red in
the face or the possible effect of drugs ona persons mood
Behavioral observable behavior such as
facial expressions and body gestures thataccompany anger
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
28/50
Cognitive how the different ways weperceive a frustrating situation affect heintensity of anger, and how an angrymood affects our thinking.
Psychoanalytic anger is an outburst ofunconscious hostility or an inborn need to
express aggression
Humanistic report what it means toexperience and express anger from the
individuals point of view.
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
29/50
Types of Psychological Professionals
Psychiatrist - a medical doctor who has specialized in thediagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders.
Psychoanalyst - either a psychiatrist or a psychologist whohas special training in the theories of Sigmund Freud andhis method of psychoanalysis.
Psychiatric social worker - a social worker with some
training in therapy methods who focuses on theenvironmental conditions that can have an impact onmental disorders, such as poverty, overcrowding, stress,and drug abuse.
Psychologist - a professional with an academic degree andspecialized training in one or more areas of psychology. Can do counseling, teaching, and research and may
specialize in any one of a large number of areas withinpsychology. Areas of specialization in psychology include clinical,
counseling, developmental, social, and personality,among others.
Menu
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
30/50
AREAS OF
SPECIALIZATION IN
PSYCHOLOGY
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
31/50
Personality Psychology
The study of consistent behavior patternsand intrapersonal processes originating
within the individual (individualdifferences).
Personality is consistent.
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
32/50
Developmental Psychology
A field of psychology that examines theimpact of maturational processes and
experience on behavior. Focus on child development from infancy
through adolescence.
Adult development and aging.
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
33/50
Abnormal Psychology
(Clinical Psychology) An area of psychology that studies the four
Ds: deviance, distress, dysfunction, anddanger.
Deviant - different, extreme, unusual, or bizarre.
Distressful unpleasant and upsetting to theindividual.
Dysfunctionaldisruptive to the persons abilityto conduct daily activities in a constructivemanner.
Dangerous potential to inflict harm on
themselves or others.
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
34/50
Biopsychology
The field that relates behavior to bodilyprocesses, especially the workings of the
brain. The main goal of this area of study is to
understand behavior and experience in
terms of their biological source.
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
35/50
Cognitive Psychology
The study of mental processes such asperceiving, remembering, thinking and
reasoning. The study of mental processes is
important because these processes are
responsible for much of the behavior wefind interesting.
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
36/50
Industrial Organizational
Psychology Social Psychology applied to the workplace setting.
Studies individual differences in behavior and jobperformance, and with measuring and predicting such
differences. Topics include but are not limited to: Motivation,
performance appraisal, employee satisfaction, personnel,employee selection, work-family conflict.
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
37/50
Counseling Psychology
A field of psychology that providesservices to moderately disturbed patients.
Less clinical.
More working with people who just wantto talk and less clients with psychological
diagnoses.
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
38/50
School Psychology
A field of psychology involvingpsychoeduational testing and evaluating,
and other related services in a schoolsetting.
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
39/50
Example
Scenario: A student gets handed backan exam at school with a failing grade.
The student bursts into tears and runs outof the classroom.
How would different areas of psychologyinterpret this event?
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
40/50
A Social Psychologist would say:
This student maybe had a bad day upuntil this point. Perhaps they recently
experienced an argument with a familymember or friends. They were vulnerableto react in this manner due to situational
influences (the power of the situation).
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
41/50
A Personality Psychologistwould say:
This student individual has a tendency tooverreact regardless of the situation.
Even as an infant, their temperamentcould have predicted this type of reaction.
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
42/50
A Developmental Psychologistwould say:
This student is obviously less mature thanother students their age. They are at a
maturation level in which they are unableto put a poor grade in perspective. Theyare developing and maturing at a slower
rate than their peers.
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
43/50
An Abnormal (or Clinical)Psychologist would say:
This student is obviously suffering frommajor depression, generalized anxiety
disorder, or bipolar disorder.
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
44/50
A Biopsychologist would say:
This students parents probably behavedin a similar manner when they were
students. This behavior is probably aresult of genetics. Parents that overreactare bound to produce children who
overreact.
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
45/50
A Cognitive Psychologist would say:
This student was probably repeatingmaladaptive (negative) thoughts over and
over in their head all morning. They wereprobably thinking:
I am going to fail that test, and when I do, I
will make a fool of myself and run out of theroom crying. I just know I will cause a scenewhen I receive that failing test grade.
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
46/50
An I/O psychologist would say:
A happy worker is a productive worker,and this student is not happy in school,
therefore they are experiencing failureacademically. The emotional reaction isdue to work-stress.
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
47/50
A Behavior Oriented Psychologistwould say:
The failing grade is the unconditionedstimulusthat provoked the unconditioned
response(crying and running out of the room).
In the future when the teacher passes backtests or papers (conditioned stimulus)the
student will continue to run out of the roomcrying (conditioned response).
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
48/50
A Counseling Psychologist wouldsay:
This is a reaction that needs to beaddressed in individual or group
counseling. Talking about and processingthe incident through counseling will leadto individual growth.
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
49/50
A Statistician would say:
We need to collect data on the frequency,duration, time of day, antecedents, and
consequences of this particular incidentand any proceeding incidents of similarnature. Perhaps through inferential
statistics and regression equations, we canbetter understand and predict this type ofbehavior in the future.
7/28/2019 Chapter 1- Nature of Psychology Lesson
50/50
A School Psychologist would say:
It is important to determine whether ornot this behavior is impacting this
students ability to learn. A functionalbehavioral assessment should beconducted and a behavior intervention
plan should be implemented. If thisbehavior continues to occur andnegatively impact this students education,a CSE referral may be warranted.
Top Related