INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
Definition & Goals The scientific study of behavior and mental
processes
What are the GOALS of Psychology ? –
Describe Explain Predict Control
Origins in Critical Thinking
• Introspection-• Structuralism - Sensations & Perceptions• Functionalism – Adaptive Functions = Mind• Freud – Unconscious, early events• Gestalt – Perceptions -> analysis of the whole pattern• Behaviorism – Scientific, objective analysis of
observable behaviors – environment shapes• Humanism - Maslow– Hierarchy of Needs
How do current approaches investigate the questions we have?
Biological – genetics, chemical
Influences
Autism
Cerebellum Size
75% - large
10% - small
Test Anxiety
Palmar sweating, heart rate, breathing
CognitiveProcess, store, & retrieve info
Low to high
intellects
Excessive worry helps/hinders performance
How do current approaches investigate the questions we have?
Behavioral- how environment reinforces behavior
Autism
Paralysis vs Stimulation
Test Anxiety
Self-management & rewards
Psychoanalytic-
Childhood, needs/desires & un
conscious
Harsh mother, absent father
High Anxiety leads to procrastination
How do current approaches investigate the questions we have?
Humanistic –Everyone controls own self-growth
Autism
Life Story - ethnography
Test Anxiety
Attributions – effort vs luck
Cross-Cultural –
Influence of culture & ethnicity
American – opportunity to ful-fill potential
Evaluation of success depends on cultural values
What types of degrees are there?
Bachelor’s (B.A.) or (B.S.) Master’s of Arts (M.A.) Master’s of Science (M.S.) Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Medical Doctor (M.D.)
Specialty Areas in Psychology
Social & Personality –
(Clinical Psy)
Developmental –
Pregnancy to Death
Specialty Areas in Psychology
Experimental –
Labs; learning/ experiments
Biological –
Genetics/physiology
Specialty Areas in Psychology
Cognitive -
Information Processing
Psychometric – Measurement
Specialty Areas in Psychology
Industrial/Organizational (Ergonomics) –
School – Combination of many of the above
Where do Psychologists Work? Private Practice / Therapy / Counselors –
Academic Settings/Universities Secondary Schools
Mixed other settings – sports, forensics, HRD
Industrial
How do Psychologists Answer Questions?
Survey – Efficient but may yield bias or inaccurate info
Case Study – In-depth info versus limited generalizability
Experiment - manipulate variables; cause & effect
How do Psychologists Answer Questions?
Interviews –
Standardized Tests –
How do Psychologists Answer Questions?
Lab Experiment –
Animal Model –
Naturalistic Setting –
What might affect data collection?
Confounding variables –
Self-fulfilling Prophecy –
What might affect data collection? Placebo –
Pill or intervention with no true identified effects
Placebo Effect-Change in the subject’s behavior due to the belief of
being treated
What is Correlational Research?
Illustrates an Association or RelationshipPerfect Positive = + 1.00Positive - + 0.01 to + 0.99Zero - 0.00 (no relationship)Negative - - 0.01 to - 0.99Perfect Negative - - 1.00
***NOT CAUSE & EFFECT ***
Example Correlations
Perfect positivecorrelation (+1.00)
No relationship (0.00) Perfect negativecorrelation (-1.00)
Correlation Examples
What is the Scientific Process?
Problem –
Hypothesis –
• Data Collection, • Statistical Analysis,• Discussion
What are Variables?
Independent Variable (IV) – What is being controlled or manipulated by the researcher
Dependent Variable (DV) - Behaviors being measured/affected by the treatment
How are subjects grouped?
Experimental Group – Those who receive intervention or treatment
Control Group – No treatment group
What is a Double-blind Study?
Double-blind study
ADHD Ritalin Trial (Example)
Student On-Task Behavior
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Observation Sessions -Week 1 (A)
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Student 1 (Ctrl)Student 2 (exp)
Student On-Task Behavior
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10Observation Sessions -Week 2 (B)
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Student 1 (Ctrl)Student 2 (exp)
Student On-Task Behavior
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Observation Sessions -Week 3 (C)
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Student On-Task Behavior
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10Observation Sessions -Week 4 (D)
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% T
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Student 1 (Ctrl)Student 2 (exp)
What are the guidelines for human experimentation?
Code of EthicsApproval, consent, no harm, debriefing
Role of Deception – must be justified, no impact and inform after
What are the guidelines for animal experimentation?
Much lower #’s than those consumed
Major medical advances
Ethical & Supervised by Veterinarians
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