What is psychology?

Behavior Cognitive Activities Recap: Psychology is….. The study of behavior and mental processes Behavior Any action that people can observe and measure Cognitive Activities Private, unobservable mental processes such as perception, thought and problem solving

Recap: the Goals of Psychology are… Describe Explain Predict Influence

Recap: Psychology is like a TREE because…

Psychology as a science is both ….. A Social Science—deal with the structure of human society and nature and interactions of individuals who make up society And A Natural Science—concerned with the nature of the physical world

In that scientific process Psychologists… “Evaluate the “what, how and why of a PRINCIPLE of the human experience by developing a THEORY in which they often create a PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSTRUCT to achieve their goals.”

In that scientific process Psychologists… “Evaluate the “what, how and why of a PRINCIPLE of the human experience by developing a THEORY in which they often create a PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSTRUCT to achieve their goals.” Principle: a basic truth or law that is common to the human experience Theory: a statement that attempts to explain why things are and why they happen the way they do. Psychological Construct: a theoretical concept that enables one to discuss something that cannot be seen, touched or measured directly

As a Science it employs the …. Question Hypothesis Experiment Results Analysis Conclusion

Famous Psychological approaches

Structuralism and William Wundt Trained as a physiologist (study of how body works) is considered the first psychologist. Focus solely on working of the mind. Structuralism Defined: Study of the basic elements of how the mind make up the mental experiences. Done through subject doing introspection reports.

Functionalism and William James Considered the father of American psychology; influenced by Darwin’s theory of survival of fittest Functionalism Defined: the study of the function rather than the structure of the mind Concerned with the function or the purpose of mental process; the “why” not the “how.” For James, how did our thought processes promote survival

Contemporary Psychological Perspectives Subject Matter Key Assumption Psychoanalytic Unconscious processes, early childhood experiences Unconscious motives influence behavior Learning Environmental influences, learning, observational learning Personal experience and reinforcement guide individual development Sociocultural Ethnicity, gender, culture, socioeconomic status Sociocultural, biological, and psychological factors create individual differences

Freud and Psychoanalysis Study of the unconscious Belief that all behavior is motivated by psychological processes by psychodynamic conflicts within ourselves Sexual and aggressive instincts, clashing with society’s rules, generated many hidden conflicts

John B. watson and Behaviorism Theory of thought that does not address consciousness, but observable behavior Belief that learning is the most important cause of behavior

“If I had enough control over the environment, I could create learning experiences that would turn any infant into a doctor, lawyer, or even a criminal.” - John B. Watson

Abraham Maslow and Humanism “If you plan on being anything less than what You are capable of being, you will probably be unhappy all the days of your life.”

Contemporary Psychological Perspectives Subject Matter Key Assumption Psychoanalytic Unconscious processes, early childhood experiences Unconscious motives influence behavior Learning Environmental influences, learning, observational learning Personal experience and reinforcement guide individual development Sociocultural Ethnicity, gender, culture, socioeconomic status Sociocultural, biological, and psychological factors create individual differences

Contemporary psychological perspectives Subject Matter Key Assumption Biological Nervous system, glands, hormones, genetic factors Biological processes influence behavior and mental processes Evolutionary Physical traits, social behavior Adaptive organisms survive and transmit their genes to future generations Cognitive Interpretation of mental images, thinking, language Perceptions and thoughts influence behavior Humanistic Self-concept People make free and conscious choices based on their unique experiences

Your Task Bluto, the neighborhood bully, is constantly teasing the other children on his block. Explain Bluto’s behavior using your assigned psychological approach.

Example from an Evolutionary Perspective…. Bluto’s aggressive behavior is symptomatic of our primal instincts of survival of the fittest.

OTHER POSSIBLE ANSWER… Biological: Bluto’s aggressive behavior may be caused by abnormal brain structures, an imbalance in brain chemistry and overactive hormones. Cognitive: Bluto views the world as a hostile place, and his decision-making processes have let him to the conclusion that aggression is the best way to combat such hostility. Psychoanalytic: Bluto harbors strong aggressive instincts in his unconscious mind, and these instincts are driving his behavior toward other children in the neighborhood. Learning: Bluto’s aggression towards other children because he has observed others in his life deal with problems aggressively. 21