Chapter 1 WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY HOLT Psychology 6/4/2018 Chapter 1 WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY Section 1: Why Study Psychology? Section 2: What Psychologists Do Section 3: A History of Psychology Section 4: Contemporary Perspectives Chapter 1

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Chapter 1 What is Psychology? Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Behavior is any action that people can observe or measure. Cognitive processes are mental processes.

GOALS OF PSYCHOLOGY Observe Describe behavior Explain Predict Control Chapter 1 Section 1: Why Study Psychology? Question: What are the goals of psychology, and how is psychology a science? GOALS OF PSYCHOLOGY Observe Describe behavior Explain Predict Control

THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY Chapter 1 Section 1: Why Study Psychology? Question: What are the goals of psychology, and how is psychology a science? THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY Psychology is a social science but has its foundation in the natural sciences. It deals with the structure of human society and interactions of individuals who make up society.

Chapter 1 Section 2: What Psychologists Do Question: What do psychologists do, and what are their areas of specialization? PSYCHOLOGISTS Test ideas using various research methods such as surveys and experimentation Consult and teach

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION Chapter 1 Section 2: What Psychologists Do Question: What do psychologists do, and what are their areas of specialization? AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION Clinical – the largest group – treat psychological problems Counseling – treat adjustment problems School – deal with students who have problems that interfere with learning Educational Psychologist – focus on course planning and instructional methods

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (continued) Chapter 1 Section 2: What Psychologists Do Question: What do psychologists do, and what are their areas of specialization? AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (continued) Personality Psychologist – identify characteristics or traits Social Psychologist – concerned with people’s behavior in social situations Experimental Psychologist – conduct research into basic processes

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (continued) Chapter 1 Section 2: What Psychologists Do Question: What do psychologists do, and what are their areas of specialization? AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (continued) Industrial and Organizational Psychologist – focus on people in work and business Environmental Psychologist – focus on ways in which people influence and are influenced by physical environment Consumer Psychologist – study the behavior of shoppers to explain and predict behavior

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (continued) Chapter 1 Section 2: What Psychologists Do Question: What do psychologists do, and what are their areas of specialization? AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (continued) Forensic Psychologist – are concerned with how psychological problems give rise to criminal behavior Health Psychologist – study the ways in which behavior and mental processes are related to physical health

Question: How has the study of psychology developed over time? Chapter 1 Section 3: A History of Psychology Question: How has the study of psychology developed over time? PSYCHOLOGY DEVELOPED OVER TIME Began in ancient Greece Revived during the scientific advances of the 1500s, 1600s and 1700s Contributions were made by modern psychologists such as William James, B.F. Skinner, and Sigmund Freud

History of Psychology Continued: Chapter 1 History of Psychology Continued: Even though modern psychology is a relatively new science, there has always been an interest in finding out why people think and behave the way that they do. In fact, there is evidence that Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle studied psychology more than 2000 years ago.

Chapter 1 History Continued…… Socrates used introspection—or “looking within”—to build on his theories on psychology. Aristotle took these ideas further and actually used observation to study and prove his theories. His theories on the laws of associationism are still the heart of learning theory.

Chapter 1 History Continued….. While many groups in history attributed psychological problems to supernatural forces, the Greek physician Hippocrates theorized that such problems were due to brain abnormalities.

The birth of modern psychology: Chapter 1 The birth of modern psychology: The scientific approach led to the birth of modern psychology in the 1800’s. The first experimental psychology lab was established in Leipzig, Germany by Wilhelm Wundt who used introspection to test his theories.

Modern Psychology Continued: Chapter 1 Modern Psychology Continued: Wundt was the father of structuralism which held that consciousness breaks down into objective sensations and subjective feelings. Later, William James established the functionalist school of though. Functionalists used observation and were concerned “what’s and why’s.” What are the purposes of behavior and mental processes?

Modern Psychology Continued: Chapter 1 Modern Psychology Continued: Later, contributions were made by such visionaries as John B. Watson (Behaviorism), BF Skinner (Reinforcement), and Sigmund Freud (Psychoanalysis), and many others. The Gestalt perspective, which defines perceptions as wholes that give shape and/or meaning to the parts, has also grown into a modern philosophy.

SEVEN MAIN CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES IN PSYCHOLOGY Chapter 1 Section 4: Contemporary Perspectives Question: What are the seven main contemporary perspectives in psychology? SEVEN MAIN CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES IN PSYCHOLOGY Biological – nervous system, glands, hormones, genetic factors Evolutionary – physical traits, social behavior Cognitive – interpretation of mental images, thinking, language Humanistic – self-concept

SEVEN MAIN CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES IN PSYCHOLOGY (continued) Chapter 1 Section 4: Contemporary Perspectives Question: What are the seven main contemporary perspectives in psychology? SEVEN MAIN CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES IN PSYCHOLOGY (continued) Psychoanalytic – environmental influences, learning, observational learning Learning – effects of experience on behavior Sociocultural – ethnicity, gender, culture, socioeconomic status

Question: What are the goals of psychology? Chapter 1 Question: What are the goals of psychology? Observe Describe Goals of Psychology Explain Predict Control