DISCOVERING PSYCHOLOGY

WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY? Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Psychologists study a broad range of behaviors. Psychology allows people to answer questions about behavior through research and experiments.

THE FOUR GOALS OF PSYCHOLOGY Describe the behavior of a person /animal Explain the causes of behaviors Predict how people or animals will behave in certain situations. Control the behaviors.

OBJECTS OF RESEARCH Research and experiments on both people and animals to gain a better understanding of their behaviors.

MODERN APPROACHES TO PSYCHOLOGY

I. BIOLOGICAL APPROACH Examines how genes, hormones and the nervous system interact with our environments / influence learning, personality, memory, motivation, emotions, coping techniques

BIOLOGICAL APPROACH, con’t. Psychobiologists - researchers who use this approach. Pictures of living brains and study genes to find a possible reason for the behavior. MRI scans / PET scans / CAT scans

II. COGNITIVE APPROACH Focuses on how we process, store and use information and how this information influences what we pay attention to, perceive, learn, remember, believe and feel Studies learning and remembering, social interactions

III. BEHAVIORAL APPROACH Analyzes how organisms learn new behaviors or modify existing ones. This depends on whether the events in their environment reward or punish the behavior. Rewards or punishments can modify, change or control behaviors.

BEHAVIORAL APPROACH, con’t. B.F. Skinner Stressed the study of observable behaviors, importance of environmental reinforcers His studies and ideas led to behaviorism Albert Bandura Social learning approach Behaviors influenced by Environmental events and reinforcers Observation Imitation

IV. PSYCHOANALYTIC APPROACH Belief that childhood experiences greatly influence the development of later personality traits and psychological problems Stresses the influence of unconscious fears, desires and motivations dealing with thoughts and behaviors.

SIGMUND FREUD 1800s Austrian physician who treated people with psychological problems. First 5 years have a profound impact on later personality development.

V. HUMANISTIC APPROACH Individual has freedom in directing their future, a large capacity for achieving personal growth, self-worth and potential for self-fulfillment Began in the early 1960’s. Used in counseling and psychotherapy. It is more of a philosophy of life than a science of human behavior.

HUMANISTIC APPROACH, con’t. Abraham Maslow was a famous humanist. Approach was a new way of perceiving and thinking about the individual’s capacity, for freedom and potential for growth.

VI. CROSS CULTURAL APPROACH Influence of cultural and ethnic similarities and differences on psychological and social functioning Attitudes, values, beliefs, social norms, and roles of different ethnic groups are all studied through this approach.

CAREERS IN PSYCHOLOGY Psychologist – 4 to 5 years of postgraduate education and has obtained a Ph.D. in psychology. / cannot prescribe medication Clinical Psychologist – has a Ph.D., is specialized in a clinical sub area, Psychiatrist- a medical doctor / several years in clinical training, diagnosing and treating neurological causes of abnormal behaviors using prescription drugs

CAREERS CONTINUED 55 % are Clinical Psychologists 27 % work in academic settings 8 % work in a variety of different professions 6 % work in industrial settings 4 % work in secondary schools

RESEARCH AREAS IN PSYCHOLOGY

I. SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY Social psychology- study of social interactions, stereotypes, prejudices, attitudes, conformity, group behaviors Personality psychology- study of personality development, personality change, assessment, and abnormal behaviors

II. DEVELOPMENTAL Developmental Psychology- examines moral, social, emotional, and cognitive development throughout a person’s entire life. Trace changes throughout one’s life

III. EXPERIMENTAL Studies areas of sensation, perception, learning, human performance, motivation and emotion. Mostly in controlled laboratory conditions

IV. BIOLOGICAL AND V. COGNITIVE Research on the physical and chemical changes that occur. Genetic make-up and nervous system influence behaviors. Includes memory, thinking, language, creativity and decision making.

VI. PSYCHOMETRICS Focuses on the measurement of abilities, skills, intelligence, abnormal behavior, and personality. Develop many different tests that are constantly updated and checked Tests are used to predict performance and assess abilities.