Chapter 1 Psychology: An Overview

Objectives 1.1 The Science of Psychology Define the science of psychology. Distinguish between psychological science and popular misconceptions about psychology. 1.2 The Origins and History of Psychology Discuss the origins and history of psychology. Examine the role of philosophy and physiology in the development of psychology. Contrast structuralism and functionalism.

Objectives 1.3 Contemporary Psychology Compare and contrast contemporary perspectives in psychology. Describe focused specializations of research and practice. 1.4 Critical Thinking and Multiple Influences Examine the role of critical thinking in the field of psychology. Illustrate criteria for critical thinking.

The Science of Psychology Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Psychologists are scientists, and their work is based on scientific principles that emphasize empiricism, or knowledge based on observation.

Pseudoscience Information that appears scientific but is based on unsound scientific principles

The Roots of Psychology Psychology has roots in other disciplines like philosophy and biology that influenced both early and contemporary perspectives in psychology. Psychology has become one of the most popular undergraduate degrees.

Philosophical Roots Psychology has deep roots in philosophy, the study of knowledge and existence, which has long considered what motivates behavior.

Biological Roots Physiology, a branch of biology that studies internal biological processes, has focused attention on the link between the brain and human behavior. –Ancient Greek physiologists like Hippocrates discovered that damage to one area of the brain created problems in certain parts of the body.

Structuralism Structuralism: The school of psychology that studies human experience by breaking it down into smaller pieces. Relies on: –Introspection: Examination of one’s own mental and emotional processes –Anecdotal evidence: A type of information that relies on unscientific observation

Functionalism Functionalism: A school of psychology concerned with the purposes of behavior and mental processes –Functionalists were interested in how behavior functions to adapt to the environment.

Contemporary Psychology (slide 1 of 2) Contemporary perspectives in psychology offer specialized ways to study behavior and mental processes. Perspectives continue to evolve and overlap. Levels of analysis: Various ways of examining the same psychological phenomenon

Contemporary Psychology (slide 2 of 2) Eclectic model: An approach that pulls together multiple ways of examining a particular problem or question Biopsychosocial approach: A theory that recognizes three equally important aspects of human mental processes and behavior: - Biological - Psychological - Social

Subfields of Psychology (slide 1 of 2) %AreaWhat They Do 36ClinicalResearches, evaluates, and treats psychological conditions 11CounselingHelps people achieve greater well-being when they are experiencing difficulty adjusting to life stressors 3Industrial/ Organizational Researches, evaluates, and helps to shape business, employees, and their products 8Education/ School Researches and evaluates teaching and learning practices and techniques 16GeneralistCrosses the boundaries of many subfields of psychology and integrates research in several areas 3Psychobiology and comparative Investigates the physiological processes of behavior and mental processes of humans and other animals 6DevelopmentalStudies the cognitive, social, and biological changes that emerge with growth over time

Subfields of Psychology (slide 2 of 2) %AreaWhat They Do 3CognitiveExamines thinking processes, including knowing, remembering, reasoning, deciding, and communicating 8Social/ Personality Social psychologists study how the way people think, feel, and behave influences and are influenced by others. Personality psychologists study the patterns in the way people think, feel and behave. OtherBehavioral psychologists ExperimentalConducts investigations of behavior and mental processes; works closely with professionals in other subfields HealthResearches how psychological factors impact wellness, illness, and medical treatments ForensicApplies psychological research to the criminal justice system

The Biological Perspective Neuroscience: The study of the brain and nervous system; also called biological psychology. Tools include: –Positron emission tomography A neuroscience imaging technique that uses radioactive glucose to indicate areas of activity –Functional magnetic resonance imaging Neuroscience imaging technique used to measure changes in blood flow

The Evolutionary Perspective Examines the impact of natural selection on behavioral and mental processes. –Natural selection: Varying success in reproduction resulting from the interaction of an organism with the environment –Heritability: How much of a characteristic can be linked to genetics as opposed to the environment

The Psychoanalytic Perspective A family of theories originated by Sigmund Freud; focuses on unconscious motivation Studies topics such as the meaning behind our dreams and the nature of personality Posits that the way to change behavior is to understand the conflicting emotions that underlie it

The Behavioral Perspective The study of learning based on directly observable actions Examines such things as how we learn from the world around us and how we change what we do in response to expected outcomes

The Humanistic Perspective (slide 1 of 2) A branch of psychology that emphasizes growth, potential, and self-actualization Humanists focus on positive psychology, which emphasizes the constructive features of human strength and healthy living rather than pathology.

The Humanistic Perspective (slide 2 of 2) Humanists such as Abraham Maslow suggested that we are motivated to become good people. Maslow suggested these motivations exist in a hierarchy from basic physiological needs to self-fulfillment needs.

The Cognitive Perspective Emphasizes the internal processes of thought that help us make sense of the world –Cognition encompasses all types of thinking, including knowing, remembering, reasoning, deciding, and communicating. Cognitive psychologists study the decision-making processes involved with both slow, deliberative decisions and quick, intuitive choices. Cognitive neuroscientists study brain action linked to thought, perception, and language.

The Sociocultural Perspective Emphasizes the way that social and cultural elements in the world (or environment) influence behavior and mental processes –Social psychology focuses on how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence and are influenced by others. –Cross-cultural psychology is concerned with the impact that shared attitudes, customs, and behaviors have on individual behavior and mental processes.

Professional Specialization and Research Areas in Psychology Basic research: A type of research concerned with expanding knowledge, even if the knowledge has no practical application Applied research: A type of research concerned with solving everyday problems

Critical Thinking The identification and evaluation of evidence to guide thoughts and decision making

The Five Criteria for Critical Thinking in Psychology (LEARN) Look for multiple influences Examine alternatives Analyze the evidence Reasoned skepticism Notice assumptions