Chapter 1: What is psychology?

Psychology The scientific study of behavior and mental process. The scientific study of behavior and mental process.

Behavior v Mental Process Behavior v Mental Process  Any action that people can observe or measure.  Examples  Private cognitive unobservable mental processes.  Examples

You Try…  Turn to page 3 of your text and read “A Day in the Life” story.  Identify as many behaviors and mental processes which Linda experiences.

What can influence a persons behavior & mental processes? !!EMOTIONS!! States of feeling that involve physical arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience. States of feeling that involve physical arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience.

Goals of Psychology To see; to watch; to notice To represent in words To give reason for; make clear To declare in advance To regulate; dominate

Case & Point Hurricane Katrina

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A Social Psychological Analysis  What do Social Psychologists do? –Examine people’s interactions with others and with social environments  What are some of the Rules of Human Behavior? –Respect for others property –Respect for social order –Respect for human life

Let’s look at one more level: How the looting was reported.

Story 2

A Social Psychological Analysis  After reading the article related to Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath, respond to the following questions in essay form. 1.How did the roles of human behavior change during Hurricane Katrina? 2.In a city without rules, do you believe looting is OK? Explain. 3.Why do you think some people chose to steal and others did not?

Case and Point September 11 th, 2001 A Survivor’s Perspective TNdoeelEXw

Applying the Goals of Psychology  What did you observe (see/watch) in the video?  Describe (represent in words) what the survivors experienced  Explain (give reason for ) why the survivors acted the way they did.  Predict how these survivors might react to another disaster  Given this information how could we control the reaction of the survivor to further traumatic events

Dear Teen Health FX, I have been so scared and confused after the September 11 th attacks. I have so many conflicting emotions, and they have led to so much stress in my life. My grades have suffered and I find myself getting annoyed with people much more quickly. Is this normal? Is everyone this stressed out? I have felt generally unhealthy with an increased occurrence of headaches. What can I do to get past attacks and the current anthrax scare without trivializing the situation? Signed: 9/11/01 stressed

The Psychological Aftermath of 9/11/01 The Psychological Aftermath of 9/11/01 A Report by the Scientific American November 12, 2001

Psychology as SCIENCE  Research Based –Surveys, Experiments  Theory oriented –Statements that attempt to explain why things are the way they are and happen the way they do  Principle Guided –Rules or laws, that govern behavior and mental processes.

Psychology as a Perspective  The Blind Men and the Elephant The Blind Men and the Elephant The Blind Men and the Elephant

What Psychologists Do  Clinical  Counseling  School  Educational  Developmental  Personality  Social  Experimental  Industrial  Environmental  Consumer  Forensic  Health