Psychology

Is the scientific study of behavior and the mental process –This study can be observable: what you can see, measure, etc… behavior –Can be non observable Thoughts, feelings, fantasies, …

Why Learn Psychology? Learning Psychology, can help you gain a better understanding of your own behavior and knowledge. Can help you learn how you developed, how you learn, and why you are the way you are. Can help you gain a better understanding of others

Science and Psychology Because human behavior is complex, a scientific approach is necessary in order to avoid generalization Many psychological studies should also be utilized, just because it is true in one situation, may not be true in every situation.

Four goals of Psychology Description Explanation Prediction Influence or Control

Description Describe or gather information about the behavior and present what is known

Explanation Why people act or behave the way that they do –Hypothesis: Predict what the reason is –Test –Theory: Complex explanation based on testing Helps describe, explain, and predict observed behavior

Prediction By studying theories, you can predict what will happen in the future How people will behave, think,or feel in certain situations given the setting or same set of events

Influence or Control Using knowledge learned, psychologists can help control what will happen. Therapy, advertising, learning, etc…

History of Psychology

History The study of psychology has been around since the Ancient Greeks Believed that people were rational beings who had their own minds. –Gods did not dominate actions

History cont.. Phrenology People believed that the shape of your skull determined intelligence, and character traits Skull Readings

Different approaches and schools of Psychology Biological Cognitive Behavioral Psycho-analytical Humanistic Socio-Cultural

Biological How biology influences our learning, personality, memory, motivations, emotions, and coping techniques Nervous system, genes, brain, and hormones. They believe that our behavior is the result of our biological make up

Cognitive Piaget How we process, store, and use information and how this information influences our thinking, language, problem solving, and creativity Believe that behavior is influenced by a variety of things such as perceptions, memories, and expectations

Behavioral Pavlov, Skinner How organisms learn and modify behaviors depending on rewards or punishments How we behave is determined on how we have learned to behave Behavior is a product of past experiences People are conditioned as a result of rewards, reinforcement, or punishment

Psycho-Analytical Freud Unconscious fears, desires, and motivations shape our thoughts, behavior, and personality traits. Psychoanalysis can help bring these unconscious things to the surface.

Humanistic Maslow People have free choice Stresses the importance of consciousness, self awareness and the capacity to make choices External forces only serve as a background for our own internal growth People can grow and develop

Cross Cultural or Socio-cultural Studies the influence of cultural and ethnic similarities and differences. –Believe that these affect behavior. The way we behave depends on the culture we associate ourselves with. Gender and socio-economic status may also influence human behavior.

Behaviors Lying, Excuse Making, Grandiosity, Aggression, Apathy, pessimism, etc. Conformity, Obedience, Malevolence, Bystander Effect, Halo Effect, etc. Depression, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, Schizophrenia, DID, Anti Social Personality Disorder, etc…

Psychological Perspectives Poster Your task is to make an informational poster about a psychological perspective. Each group must include the following for their topic: –General information (More In Depth than Notes) –Key terms –Psychologist in the field –A visual –An real life example to help explain it (not in book) –Reference how it applies or explains the given behavior (Class will choose a behavior—anxiety, depression, alcoholism, etc.)