Domain 1 Scientific Inquiry

Introduction to Psychology Part 1: Introduction to Psychology

Defining Psychology What is psychology? What does a psychologist do?

Psychology The systematic study of behavior and mental processes Systematic – systematic collection and examination or data to support or disprove hypotheses Behavior – directly observable or measurable Ex: reading, talking, listening Mental processes – not directly observable or measurable Ex: thoughts and emotions

Behavior or Mental Process? dreaming getting excited about going out having a toothache singing a song 'in your head' worrying about your performance on a test planning an excuse to get out of a date singing a song aloud writing a letter doing arithmetic 'in your head' experiencing 'butterflies in the stomach‘ Scratching you leg Reading the time on your watch Mental Behavior

Of Psychology Describe –tell what behaviors or mental processes are happening Explain – tell why these behaviors or mental processes are happening Predict – tell what behavioral or mental processes will likely happen in the future Control – influence individuals behavior or mental processes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo4pMVb0R6M&feature=em-subs_digest

The Origin of Psychology 600 B.C. Psamtik I, the king of Egypt, conducts the first psychological study. 400 B.C. Greek philosophers conclude that it is neither god nor demons that control behavior but rather the mind of the individual themselves. (Hippocrates – mental illness stems from body) 5th-15th century (middle ages) Europeans believed that problems such as agitation and confusion were signs of possession by demons. Psamtik I Witch Hunts

14th-18th century (Renaissance) brought great scientific and intellectual advances that opened up the way for psychological thought. Nicolaus Copernicus – suggested that the earth revolved around the sun Sir Isaac Newton – formulated the laws of gravity and motion John Locke – theorized that knowledge is not inborn but rather learned from experience Antoine Lavoisier – founded the science of chemistry Rene Descartes – wrote about dualism Sir Isaac Newton Nicolaus Copernicus Antoine Lavoisier John Locke Rene’ Descartes

1879 Modern Psychology is born Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig Germany

Historical Approaches to Psychology An approach is a perspective or view that involves certain assumptions or beliefs about human behavior: Structuralism Functionalism Inheritable Traits Gestalt Psychology

Structuralism Wilhelm Wundt and Edward B. Titchener Focused on breaking down mental processes into the most basic components. Used a method known as introspection - the detailed mental examination of your own feelings, thoughts, and motives What are the elements(structures) of psychological processes Wundt Titchener

Functionalism William James Concerned with how mental processes help organisms adapt to their environment What are the purposes (functions) of behavior and mental processes? James The Principles of Psychology – considered to be the first modern psychology textbook

Inheritable Traits Sir Francis Galton Interested in how heredity (inherited traits) influences a person’s abilities, character, and behavior Errors were identified in Galton's theories Galton

Gestalt Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang Kohler, Kurt Koffka Perception is more than the sum of its parts – it involved the “whole pattern” or Gestalt Studies how sensations are assembled into perceptual experiences What is this a picture of? How do you know?

Contemporary Approaches to Psychology Approach/Perspective What is the main cause of behavior Application Example: Alcoholism Major Psychologist Unconscious motivations influence our behavior. Does excessive drinking indicate an unconscious problem or conflict? Does drinking reduce inhibitions allowing the unconscious to surface? Sigmund Freud Psychoanalytic Behavioral Events in the environment (rewards and punishments) influence our behavior Is alcoholism learned? Can it be unlearned? Can new habits replace the alcoholic habits? Ivan Pavlov John B. Watson B.F. Skinner For what inadequacy do people try to compensate by drinking? Does alcohol give people a false sense of relief from inadequacy or lack of self-worth? Abraham Maslow Carl Rogers Rollo May Individual or self-directed choices influence our behavior. Humanistic What thought pattern precedes heavy drinking? Can the thoughts be analyzed and changed to curtail the drinking behavior? How we process, store, and retrieve information influences our behavior. Jean Piaget Noam Chomsky Leon Festinger Cognitive Biological factors (genes, hormones, nervous system, and brain) influence our behavior. Is alcoholism a disease? What role does genetics play in the development of alcoholism? How does alcohol affect the brain? Biological Ethnicity, gender, culture, and socioeconomic status influence our behavior. How does alcoholism differ between cultures? What unique pressures of a particular culture contribute to alcohol abuse? Sociocultural

Quick Facts: Psychologists Careers in Psychology Quick Facts: Psychologists 2010 Median Pay $68,640 per year $33.00 per hour Number of Jobs, 2010 174,000 Job Outlook, 2010-20 22% (Faster than average) Employment Change, 2010-20 37,700 U.S. Department of Labor predicts employment opportunities to increase Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Psychologists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm (visited January 10, 2013).

Psychologist Vs. Psychiatrist

Fields of Psychology Environmental Neuropsychologist / Psychobiologist Forensic Health Experimental Clinical Counseling Developmental Educational Community Industrial/Organizational