1. Why do we study psychology?
Physiological-body and physical processes, cognitive-thinking and mental processes.
Gain Insight into behavior- why someone behaves the way they do.
Acquire practical information-how to change or shape behavior by using consequences, increasing memory with mnemonics, etc.

2. Goals of Psychology Describe behavior and gather information
Explain behavior using hypothesis/educated guess or theories based on a large number of experimental studies.
Predict behavior
Influence behavior using
Basic Science- research
Applied Science- ways of using research in daily life

3. Scientific Basis of Psychology
Scientific method- data obtained through experiments, surveys, interviews and case studies
Question/Problem, data, hypothesis, experiment/test, conclusion and theory.
Wundt- first Psychology lab

4. Brief History of Psychology
Origins of Psychology
Greek Philosophers/Socrates- the mind is in the heart, tabula rasa/ the mind is a blank slate at birth, and the first theories of personality
Copernicus and Galileo- used experimentation through observation
Rene Descartes- refuted dualism stating the interaction between the mind and body.

5. Historical Approaches
1879 Wilhelm Wundt- experimented on sensations and perception using (introspection) where participants reported their own thoughts and feelings
Functionalism- William James, who is considered the father of American Psychology. He focused on the functions and purposes of the conscious mind, and how thinking helps and organism adapt to the environment. Mary Calkins was the first female PhD in psychology and APA president.

6. (cont.)
Galton- stated the idea that heredity is the most important factor over the environment.
Gestalt Psychology- (Wertheimer, Kohler and Koffa). Perception is more than the sum of its parts. Look at the whole first.

7. Contemporary Approaches
1. Psychoanalytic Psychology
Sigmund Freud ( )
interested in the unconscious mind; believed that our conscious experiences are only the beginning of our behaviors;
our unconscious motivations and conflicts are responsible for more human behavior

8. Used a method known as Free Association – patient said what came to mind no matter how absurd or irrelevant it seemed
Freud’s role of psychoanalyst was to listen and interpret the associations; he believed that this revealed the unconscious processes
Also thought dreams were expressions of unconscious urges
Many modern psychoanalysts still use free association today

9. 2. Behavioral Psychology
Russian physiologist IVAN PAVLOV
Experiment of ringing a tuning fork each time he gave a dog some meat powder and the dog would salivate; repeated several times; soon the dog would salivate just hearing the ring without any food
Psychologists used this experiment to as a tool to help explain that some behavior is a result of prior experiences

10. Behaviorists stress investigating observable behavior
John B. Watson said they should concern themselves with observable facts; behavior is a result of conditioning and occurs when that appropriate stimulus is present
B.F. Skinner introduced the concept of reinforcement – response to behavior that increase the likelihood the behavior will be repeated
Wrote: Walden Two in which he portrayed his idea of Utopia – a small town in which conditioning, through rewarding those who display good behavior, rules everything

11. 3. Humanistic Psychology
Developed as a reaction to behaviorists
Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers and Rollo May described nature as evolving and self-directed
Does not think people are controlled by events in the environment or by unconscious forces
They feel that each person is unique and has a self-concept to develop fully

12. 4. Cognitive Psychology
Jean Piaget, Noam Chomsky, Leon Festinger – cognitivists who focus on how we process, store and use information and how this information influences our thinking, language, problem solving and creativity
Behavior is influenced by a variety of mental processes, including perceptions, memories and expectations

13. 5. Biological Psychology
Study the brain, nervouse system, hormones and genetics and their influence on our behavior; use PET and CAT Scans
Behavior is the result of our physiological makeup

14. 6. Sociocultural Psychology
Studying the influence of cultural and ethnic similarities and differences on behavior and social functioning
Look at immigration, gender, socioeconomic status, cultural taboos and norms

15. Psychology as a Profession
Psychologist- studies the mind and behavior of organisms
Specialty fields
Clinical and counseling- most popular, deal with emotions and problems. ½ of all psychologists working in offices, hospitals, clinics and prisons
Psychiatry- MD, working with disturbed behavior.
Development Psychology- study physical, emotional, cognitive and social changes throughout life.
Educational Psychology- teaching, intelligence, memory, learning and motivation.

16. (cont.) Community psychology- mental health and social welfare.
Industrial Psychology- business and government agencies to boost production, work conditions, placement and accidents.
Environmental Psychology- environmental effects at home, work, inside and outside.
Psychobiologists- electrical, chemical and pharmacological effects on the nervous system.
Forensic psychology- legal, court and correctional facilities.
Health Psychology- interactions of the physical and psychological.
Experimental Psychology- supply research, testing and information (basic science)

17. Forensic psychology- legal, court and correctional facilities.
Health Psychology- interactions of the physical and psychological.
Experimental Psychology- supply research, testing and information (basic science)
APA founded in 1892.