1. INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY Psychology 2013-2014

2. What is Psychology?  Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.  “Psychology” has its roots in the Greek words of “psyche,” or mind, and “- ology,” or a field of study.”

3. What do we mean by behavior?  Behavior is any action or reaction which causes a human or animal to adapt to its environment.  Behavior can be overt=observable  Behavior can be covert=internal or hidden

4. Scientific Method  The science of psychology is based on objective, verifiable evidence obtained using the scientific method.

5. What is Real Psychology & what is Pseudopsychology?  Pseudo-psychology is the phony or unscientific psychology which pretends to be the real thing.

6. Pseudo-psychology produces confirmation/hindsight bias

7. Led Zeplin?  “Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run there’s still time to change the road you’re on.”

8. Now listen carefully..  “Here’s to my sweet Satan, the one whose little pathways make me sad, whose power is Satan.”

9. Psychology vs. Psychiatry  Psychiatrists hold MDs and have specialized training in the treatment of mental and behavioral problems.  Psychology is a much broader field which has many different specialties.

10. Early History

11.  Wilhelm Wundt (Voont) widely considered the father of psychology. Wilhelm Wundt 1832-1929 Wilhelm Wundt

12. Sigmund Freud-Psychoanalysis  Psychoanalysis is the brainchild of Sigmund Freud and his followers.  Psychoanalysis said that mental disorders resulted from conflicts of the unconscious mind.  Freud thought that behavior came from unconscious drives, conflicts and experience that we may not even have a memory of. Sigmund Freud 1856-1939

13. Psychology Today  Psychology today arises from 6 main perspectives:  Biological  Cognitive  Psychodynamic  Behavioral  Sociocultural  Evolutionary

14. Biological View:  The biological view looks at how our physical make up and the operation of our brains influence our personality, preferences, behavior patterns, and abilities.  Influence of Darwin  According to biological view, our behavior is a result of heredity and environment.

15. Cognitive View  According to the cognitive view, our actions are a direct result of the way we process information from our environment.  Think: senses.  Cognitions are thoughts, expectations, perceptions and memories

16. Psychodynamic View  Psychodynamic psychology suggests we are motivated by irrational desires generated in our unconscious minds.  Work of Sigmund Freud.  Think: violence, sex, horror!

17. Humanistic Psychology  A viewpoint which emphasizes human ability, growth, potential and free will.  It, however, emphasizes the positive side of human nature. It has received a lot of criticism because it is not highly “scientific.”

18. Behavioral Psychology  Watson argued that the science of psychology should only deal with observable events: stimuli from the environment and the organism’s (person/animal) response to that stimuli.  Believed all behaviors are shaped by rewards & punishments.  Believed in the power of the situation/environment. John Watson B.F. Skinner

19. Sociocultural View  This view emphasizes the importance of social interaction, social learning and a cultural perspective.  What is culture?  Culture: a complex blend of beliefs, customs, values and traditions developed by a group of people and shared with others in the same environment.

20. Cultural Relativity  Behavior should be judged by the practices and values of a particular culture.

21. Psychology’s newest frontier…. Positive Psychology

22. Martin Seligman

23. The Science of Happiness… Happiness = Genetic Set + External Circumstances + Intentional Activities

24. The Nun Study…  678 Participants- Sisters of Notre Dame  Longitudinal study- Alzheimer’s  All born before 1917  At age 22, each asked to write a one-page autobiography

25. For example…  “God started my life off well by bestowing upon me grace of inestimable value… The past year which I spent as a candidate studying at Notre Dame has been a very happy one. Now I look forward with eager joy to receiving the Holy Habit of Our Lady and to a life of union with Love Divine. “  “I was born on Sept. 26, 1909, the eldest of seven children, five girls and two boys… My candidate year was spent in the mother-house, teaching chemistry and second-year Latin at Notre Dame. With God’s grace, I intend to do my best for our Order, for the spread of religion and for my personal sanctification.”

26. Findings….  Strong positive correlation between positive emotional content and longevity (6-7 decades later)  Optimism is associated with long life.

27. Consider this…