Chapter 1 What is Psychology?

Chapter Preview Defining Psychology Psychology in Historical Perspective Contemporary Approaches to Psychology What Psychologists Do Science of Psychology and Health and Wellness

Psychology: Defined Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Three Key Components science – systematic methods behavior – what can be directly observed mental processes – thoughts, feelings, motives

Science of Psychology Critical Thinking Skepticism Objectivity Curiosity 4

History of Psychology Western Philosophy Biology and Physiology Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) 1879 – established 1st psychology lab

Wundt’s Structuralism identified structures of the mind introspection systematic, detailed self-reports IM: Structuralism Activity

James’ Functionalism identified the functions and purposes of the mind stream of consciousness human interactions with outside world why is human thought adaptive? IM: Functionalism Activity

Psychology and Evolution Charles Darwin On the Origin of Species, 1859 Natural Selection competition for resources genetic characteristics that promote reproduction and survival are favored environmental changes alter course of evolution IM: Activity Handout 1.2: To Be Extinct or Not

Contemporary Approaches Current Psychological Perspectives Biological Behavioral Psychodynamic Humanistic Cognitive Evolutionary Sociocultural Note: It is important to stress early and often that these approaches are complementary, not contradictory… that they really represent different levels of analysis.

The biological approach focuses on the brain and nervous system. Neuroscience study of the structure, function, development, genetics, biochemistry of the nervous system thoughts and emotions have physical basis in brain allowed psychologists to better understand the brain

Behavioral Approach Notable Behaviorists The behavioral approach focuses on the environmental determinants of observable behavior. Notable Behaviorists John Watson B.F. Skinner rejected thought processes

Psychodynamic Approach Psychodynamics emphasizes unconscious thought conflict between biological drives and demands of society early childhood family experiences Psychoanalysis - Freud

Humanistic Approach Humanists emphasize Humanistic Theorists positive human qualities capacity for positive growth free will Humanistic Theorists Carl Rogers Abraham Maslow

Cognitive Approach The cognitive approach emphasizes the mental processes involved in knowing. Information Processing …how humans interpret incoming info, weigh it, store it, and apply it

Evolutionary Approach The evolutionary approach uses ideas such as adaptation, reproduction, and natural selection to explain human behavior. Evolutionary Psychologists David Buss Leda Cosmides

Sociocultural Approach examines how social and cultural environments influence behavior and mental processes studies differences between ethnic and cultural groups within and across countries

Career Settings in Psychology

Areas of Specialization Physiological Psych / Behavioral Neuroscience Sensation and Perception Learning Cognitive Psychology Developmental Psychology Motivation & Emotion Psychology of Women & Gender Personality Psychology Social Psychology Industrial / Organizational Psychology Clinical & Counseling Psychology Health Psychology Activity/Demonstration: It might be helpful to invite a few colleagues or professional in to your class to discuss their area of specialization and/or career Note: Instructors might either delete and/or elaborate on these areas of specialization

Areas of Specialization Also (but not addressed in text beyond this chapter) Community Psychology School & Educational Psychology Environmental Psychology Forensic Psychology Sport Psychology Cross-Cultural Psychology Activity/Demonstration: It might be helpful to invite a few colleagues or professional in to your class to discuss their area of specialization and/or career Note: Instructors might either delete and/or elaborate on these areas of specialization 19