Chapter 1: Introduction and Research Methods

Chapter Overview Describe what Psychology is Describe what Psychology is Goals of Psychology Goals of Psychology Fields of Psychology Fields of Psychology Research methods of Psychology Research methods of Psychology Experiments within Psychology Experiments within Psychology Important people of Psychology Important people of Psychology

I. Introducing Psychology Psychology is  the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Psychology is  the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Studying Psychology offers practical solutions to everyday problems Studying Psychology offers practical solutions to everyday problems Psychologists use the scientific method to make observations Psychologists use the scientific method to make observations

I. Introducing Psychology Psychology is a social science which means it is: Psychology is a social science which means it is: Based on findings that are subjected to careful scrutiny Grounded in facts Psychology is not a false science which is NOT based on facts (astrology)

I. Introducing Psychology Psychologists seek to observe, describe, explain, predict, and modify behavior and mental processes Psychologists seek to observe, describe, explain, predict, and modify behavior and mental processes (4 goals – will be discussed on next slide) (4 goals – will be discussed on next slide) Psychologists rely on research to learn whether certain methods will work before they use them to help people Psychologists rely on research to learn whether certain methods will work before they use them to help people

I. Introducing Psychology 4 Goals of Psychology 4 Goals of Psychology 1. Description – describe particular behaviors by careful observations 2. Explanation – explain behaviors by conducting experiments 3. Prediction – predict when a behavior that is being studied will happen in the future 4. Change – change inappropriate behavior

I. Introducing Psychology Psychologists work in many different fields but they all focus on studying and explaining behavior and mental processes Psychologists work in many different fields but they all focus on studying and explaining behavior and mental processes any action that people can observe or measure, such as walking, talking, sleeping, and eating Behavior is defined as any action that people can observe or measure, such as walking, talking, sleeping, and eating

I. Introducing Psychology Fields of Psychology Fields of Psychology Psychologists specialize in several different areas of practice: Psychologists specialize in several different areas of practice: Clinical: general health, mental health, child health Clinical: general health, mental health, child health Counseling: business or education institutions Counseling: business or education institutions Sport psychology: athletes Sport psychology: athletes Experimental psychology: humans, animals Experimental psychology: humans, animals Cognitive psychology: learning Cognitive psychology: learning Developmental psychology: changes in people’s lives Developmental psychology: changes in people’s lives

I. Introducing Psychology Real World Example Real World Example In 2006, the St. Louis Cardinals employed the services of a sports psychologist to meet with players, coaches and staff members. In 2006, the St. Louis Cardinals employed the services of a sports psychologist to meet with players, coaches and staff members. The Cardinals won the World Series in The Cardinals won the World Series in Do you think the psychologist made a difference?? Do you think the psychologist made a difference??

I. Introducing Psychology Actually  Actually  Sports psychologists can help athletes improve performance by measuring athletes’ heart rates and other body processes and by interviewing athletes Psychologists predict that athletes perform best when anxiety is moderate Psychologists help athletes control their behavior and mental processes by teaching them how to control anxiety

I.Introducing Psychology Notice clinical psychology is by far the most highly populated

II. Origins of Psychology There are 9 schools of study within Psychology (each will be described) There are 9 schools of study within Psychology (each will be described) 1. Structuralism 2. Functionalism 3. Psychoanalytical/Psychodynamic 4. Behavioral 5. Humanistic 6. Cognitive 7. Neuroscience/biopsychology 8. Evolutionary 9. Sociocultural

II. Origins of Psychology 1. Structuralism – focuses primarily on investigation of thought processes 2. Functionalism – focuses on the function of mental processes in adapting the individual to the environment 3. Psychoanalytical/Psychodynamic – Examines psychological problems that are presumed to be caused by conflicts. Usually aggressive in nature

II. Origins of Psychology 4.Behavioral – observing behavior through scientific method 5. Humanistic – stresses free will, self actualization and positive growth seeking nature of humans 6. Cognitive – researches areas of thought, perception and information processing

II. Origins of Psychology 7.Neuroscience/Biopsychology – explores the role of biological factors such as genetics in humans (scientific) 8.Evolutionary – focuses on natural selection, adaptation, and evolution of behavior 9.Sociocultural – focuses on social interactions, cultural determinants, and mental processes

II. Origins of Psychology: Biopsychosocial Model: an integrative model combining the seven major perspectives in contemporary psychology Biopsychosocial Model: an integrative model combining the seven major perspectives in contemporary psychology Structuralism and Functionalism are not located on the diagram. These older schools of thought have now been blended in with the other 7 schools.

III. The Science of Psychology Psychologists follow scientific procedures similar to the way other scientists do Psychologists follow scientific procedures similar to the way other scientists do Research and experiments help investigate cause – and – effect relationships Research and experiments help investigate cause – and – effect relationships There are two TYPES of research within psychology  BASIC or APPLIED There are two TYPES of research within psychology  BASIC or APPLIED

III. The Science of Psychology Basic research is conducted to study theoretical questions without trying to solve a specific problem (general ideas or concepts) Basic research is conducted to study theoretical questions without trying to solve a specific problem (general ideas or concepts) Applied research utilizes the principles and discoveries of psychology for practical purposes (finding solutions to real world problems) Applied research utilizes the principles and discoveries of psychology for practical purposes (finding solutions to real world problems)

III. The Science of Psych Scientific Method  consists of 6 carefully planned steps Scientific Method  consists of 6 carefully planned steps 1. Identify question and literature review 2. Develop a testable hypothesis 3. Select a research method and collect data 4. Analyze the data and accept or reject the hypothesis 5. Publish, replicate and seek scientific review 6. Build a theory

The Scientific Method

III. The Science of Psych Ethical Guidelines when experimenting Ethical Guidelines when experimenting Psychologists must comply with extremely strict ethical guidelines Psychologists must comply with extremely strict ethical guidelines The American Psychological Association (APA) has published specific guidelines that must be followed The American Psychological Association (APA) has published specific guidelines that must be followed There are three areas that are addressed by the APA There are three areas that are addressed by the APA

III. The Science of Psych Ethical Guidelines when experimenting Ethical Guidelines when experimenting 1. Human participants  informed consent, voluntary participation, debriefing, confidentiality, and use of students as subjects #1 is the most rigorous guideline because it deals with the rights of people being studied #1 is the most rigorous guideline because it deals with the rights of people being studied 2. Animal Rights  cruelty to animals 3. Clients in therapy  confidentiality

III. The Science of Psych When to use Animals in Research When to use Animals in Research Only a small number of psychological studies involve animals Only a small number of psychological studies involve animals Psychologists use animals only when there is no alternative and when they believe the benefit outweighs the harm Psychologists use animals only when there is no alternative and when they believe the benefit outweighs the harm Most psychological studies that use animals do not harm the animals Most psychological studies that use animals do not harm the animals

IV. Research Methods We know, psychology research can only be basic or applied We know, psychology research can only be basic or applied There are 4 methods of research within psychology There are 4 methods of research within psychology 1. Experimental 2. Descriptive 3. Correlational 4. Biological

IV. Research Methods Experimental Research is the only method of the four that can identify cause and effect Experimental Research is the only method of the four that can identify cause and effect Experimental research consists of several variables: Experimental research consists of several variables: Independent Variables: factors the experimenter manipulates Independent Variables: factors the experimenter manipulates Dependent Variables: measurable behaviors of the participants Dependent Variables: measurable behaviors of the participants Experimental controls: include control condition - participants are treated identically to participants in experimental condition, except that the independent variable is not applied to them Experimental controls: include control condition - participants are treated identically to participants in experimental condition, except that the independent variable is not applied to them

IV. Research Methods Experimental Research Experimental Research In the experimental condition: all participants are exposed to the independent variable In the experimental condition: all participants are exposed to the independent variable Experimental Group: group that receives a treatment in an experiment Experimental Group: group that receives a treatment in an experiment Control Group: group that receives no treatment in an experiment Control Group: group that receives no treatment in an experiment

Example of Experimental Research

IV. Research Methods Descriptive Research: includes several types of studies to gather data Descriptive Research: includes several types of studies to gather data Naturalistic Observation is used to study behavior in its natural habitat Naturalistic Observation is used to study behavior in its natural habitat Surveys use tests, questionnaires, and interviews to sample a wide variety of behaviors and attitudes (must choose people carefully) Surveys use tests, questionnaires, and interviews to sample a wide variety of behaviors and attitudes (must choose people carefully) Case study in-depth study of a single research participant Case study in-depth study of a single research participant

IV. Research Methods Surveys Surveys Psychologists conduct surveys by asking people to fill out written questionnaires or by interviewing people orally Psychologists conduct surveys by asking people to fill out written questionnaires or by interviewing people orally By interviewing people with direct questions psychologists can get information about people’s attitudes and behaviors By interviewing people with direct questions psychologists can get information about people’s attitudes and behaviors

IV. Research Methods Problems with Surveys: the findings of interviews and questionnaires may not be completely accurate because… Problems with Surveys: the findings of interviews and questionnaires may not be completely accurate because… People may not be honest about their attitudes or behavior People may not be honest about their attitudes or behavior People may limit their responses for privacy reasons People may limit their responses for privacy reasons People may say what they think the interviewers want to hear People may say what they think the interviewers want to hear

IV. Research Methods Correlational Research Correlational Research Allows scientists to determine the degree of relationship between variables Allows scientists to determine the degree of relationship between variables Positive, negative and zero correlations are discussed when using this type of research Positive, negative and zero correlations are discussed when using this type of research

IV. Research Methods Correlation is a major relationship within psychology Correlation is a major relationship within psychology It CANNOT show a Cause and Effect Relationship It CANNOT show a Cause and Effect Relationship Just because two things are related does not mean one causes the other Just because two things are related does not mean one causes the other

IV. Research Methods Biological Research: the scientific study of psychology Biological Research: the scientific study of psychology Studies the brain and nervous system Studies the brain and nervous system Tests used in biological research include: Tests used in biological research include: Electrical recordings of brain activity (EEG) Electrical recordings of brain activity (EEG) Computed tomography (CT) Computed tomography (CT) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Four Major Research Methods

V. Gestalt Psychology Gestalt psychology is an alternative to behaviorism and structuralism Gestalt psychology is an alternative to behaviorism and structuralism It is based on the idea that our perceptions of objects are more than the sum of their parts. They are wholes that give shape, or meaning, to the parts It is based on the idea that our perceptions of objects are more than the sum of their parts. They are wholes that give shape, or meaning, to the parts It was developed by German psychologists Max Wertheimer and Wolfgang Köhler It was developed by German psychologists Max Wertheimer and Wolfgang Köhler

V. Gestalt Psychology Gestalt psychology rejects the structuralist idea that experience can be broken down into individual parts or elements Gestalt psychology rejects the structuralist idea that experience can be broken down into individual parts or elements It also rejects the behaviorist idea that only observable behavior is important It also rejects the behaviorist idea that only observable behavior is important Gestalt Psychology aims to organize how the mind organizes pieces of information into meaningful wholes Gestalt Psychology aims to organize how the mind organizes pieces of information into meaningful wholes

V. Gestalt Psychology

Important People to Know Wilhelm Wundt  Considered to be the “father of modern psychology” Wilhelm Wundt  Considered to be the “father of modern psychology” Founded first psychology lab in Germany (1879) Founded first psychology lab in Germany (1879) Associated with the Structuralism field of Psychology Associated with the Structuralism field of Psychology Sigmund Freud  Founder of psychoanalytical/psychodynamic Sigmund Freud  Founder of psychoanalytical/psychodynamic

Important People to Know Ivan Pavlov  Leader of the behavior perspective Ivan Pavlov  Leader of the behavior perspective YouTube - Classical Conditioning - Ivan Pavlov YouTube - Classical Conditioning - Ivan Pavlov YouTube - Classical Conditioning - Ivan Pavlov YouTube - Classical Conditioning - Ivan Pavlov B.F. Skinner/John Watson B.F. Skinner/John Watson Both associated with Behavioral psychology Both associated with Behavioral psychology Watson believed people have 3 reactions: fear, rage, love Watson believed people have 3 reactions: fear, rage, love Skinner believed behavior depends on what happens are people are exposed to a “stimulus” Skinner believed behavior depends on what happens are people are exposed to a “stimulus”

Important People Rogers/Maslow  Leaders of the Humanist perspective Rogers/Maslow  Leaders of the Humanist perspective William James  Published Principles of Psychology in 1890 William James  Published Principles of Psychology in 1890 James was a Harvard Professor James was a Harvard Professor Responsible for giving the first lecture on psychology Responsible for giving the first lecture on psychology G. Stanley Hall  Founded first American Psychological lab in John Hopkins Univ. G. Stanley Hall  Founded first American Psychological lab in John Hopkins Univ.