1. Introduction to Psychology: A Christian Perspective
Level MQF/EQF 5
License-2013-FH1026
Global Institute of Theology

2. Unit One -
Psychology as a Behavioral Science

3. Lesson One -
Psychology as a Art and Science

4. Introduction What do you think Psychology is?
Is Psychology compatible with Christianity?
Why do you really want to study Psychology?

5. Lesson Objectives Define psychology.
Learning outcomes
Define psychology.
List and explain the goals of psychology.
Explain the specific criteria used in a research design.
Discuss three kinds of psychological research.
Describe the data-collecting methods of psychologists.
List the steps in progressing from basic research to practical application.
Discuss cautions when reading psychological literature.
Identify the varied services of psychologists.
Trace the history of psychology from ancient Greece to the present.

6. ? Your Objectives List what personal objectives you have for:
the class in general
this lesson in particular

7. Objective 1:
Define Psychology

8. Definition of Psychology
Originally
“the science that studies the behavior of man and other animals”
For the purposes of this study
“Psychology is the art and science of studying human behavior and mental processes.”
My Preference
“the scientific study of the mental processes as they relate to human behavior with an end toward understanding, modifying, and/or predicting such behavior.”
Psuchee spirit, soul, breath
Logia: study, or research

9. Definition of Psychology
Which of the three definitions you can relate to a Christian approach to Psychology?
Why?
How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb?
Just one, so long as the light bulb *wants* to change.

10. Schematic model of human behavior

11. Schematic model of human behavior

12. Schematic model of human behavior

13. Schematic model of human behavior

14. Schematic model of human behavior

15. Schematic model of human behavior

16. Schematic model of human behavior

17. Practical identification for our definition of psychology
“Psychology is the art and science of studying human behavior and mental processes.”
“Psychology is the scientific study of the mental processes as they relate to human behavior with an end toward understanding, modifying, and/or predicting such behavior”

18. Objective 2:
List and Explain the goals of psychology

19. Goals of psychology
Originally, the goals of psychology were limited to three:
to understand human behavior
to predict human behavior
to control human behavior.

20. Goals of psychology
However, many contemporary theorists question if control is a legitimate goal of psychology.
They prefer to substitute “helpful alteration of human behavior” as a goal of psychology.
Results of psychological research should focus on helpfulness to the subject
rather than rigid control that might limit a person’s freedom of choice and / or movement.

21. Goals of psychology
Goals of psychology are:
to understand human behavior
to predict human behavior
to modify human behavior
“Psychology is the art and science of studying human behavior and mental processes.”
“the scientific study of the mental processes as they relate to human behavior with an end toward understanding, modifying, and/or predicting such behavior.”

22. How does the Holy Spirit help in these areas?
Goals of psychology
How does the Holy Spirit help in these areas?
Understand
Predict
Modify
Human behavior

23. Objective 3
Explain the specific criteria used in a research design

24. The Scientific Method in Psychology
Replication:
Research reproducible in another place at another time by a different researcher.
Reliability:
Sufficient confirmation of research findings and free from all bias.
Definiteness:
Precise statement of a definition.
Coherence:
All-inclusive statements with a single meaning or interpretation.
Comprehens-iveness:
Broad statement that includes all appropriate shades of meaning.
That is, the scope of knowledge being examined must be broad enough to be specific and not too limited to yield valid results. (Feigl 1968, 8–12)

25. Objective 4:
Discuss three kinds of psychological research

26. Types of Research Basic (pure) research
is the foundation of science; its goal is discovery of new knowledge.
Applied research
takes basic research a step further by focusing on answers to specific questions and discovering how the information can help people.
Practical application
goes another step further by actually implementing the findings of basic and applied research in treatment and instruction.

27. Objective 5
Describe the data-collecting methods of psychologists

28. Methods of Collecting Data
Methods of how Psychologists collect data about individuals and/or groups
Naturalistic observation
involves observing subjects in their natural habitat without their awareness or knowledge.
Interviewing
requires a researcher to record answers to predetermined questions asked of subjects in the research study. The results are then compiled into a descriptive report.

29. Methods of Collecting Data
Testing and evaluation
uses standardized tests and inventories for such activities as school or job placement, evaluation, or treatment plans.
Surveys and questionnaires
effectively glean and summarize the opinions of a group of individuals.
Correlation
is a statistical method of determining the relationship between two variables, such as the correlation between a student’s reading ability and his or her grades.

30. Methods of Collecting Data
Case histories
are a compilation of observations made by various members of the healing team (psychiatrists, psychologists, professional counselors, pastoral counselors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and so forth) to devise a treatment plan.
The experimental method
involves controlled experiments with a select group of subjects. Half of the sample becomes the control group, and the other half becomes the experimental group. The experimental method is more precise and can discover information that would not be available by less rigorous forms of data collection.

31. Objective 6
List the steps in progressing from basic research to practical application

32. The steps of Research Hypothesis
Research begins with the researcher’s belief that two variables might share a relationship which has not been empirically proven.
To test the relationship, the researcher starts by forming a hypothesis, the statement of an assumption or question involving the variables.

33. The steps of Research Theory
Once the hypothesis is stated, giving direction, the research begins. When the experimenter finds more evidence supporting the hypothesis than invalidating it, he or she proposes a theory.
A theory is a summary of a large amount of empirical information and concepts that are useful in prediction. Sometimes a theory is stated prematurely, without sufficient supporting evidence, such as the theory of evolution. In actuality, the theory of evolution is merely a hypothesis because a growing body of data do not support the theory

34. The steps of Research Generalization
Generalizations are developed out of conclusions derived from theory and research that state or imply a relationship between two or more variables.
That is, the experimenter forms generalizations when the hypothesis has been developed as a theory and practical applications are made for its implementation.
The hypothesis is treated as though it is true even though the data may be conflicting.

35. The steps of Research Principle
A principle is a statement of actions to be taken upon the research findings (generalizations).
For instance, scientific research has resulted in many laws of learning that are then stated in the form of principles and applied to human learning.

36. Objective 1:7
Discuss cautions when reading psychological Research

37. Cautions in Reading Psychological Research
Contamination
The investigator knows the predicted nature of the relationship between the variables and has control over both.
Reconstruction through retrospection
A researcher describes past events with no supporting data.
Poor definition of concepts
The investigator has not defined concepts clearly and concisely.

38. Cautions in Reading Psychological Research
Direct influence of the investigator
The presence of the investigator unwittingly influences the results.
Sampling errors
The researcher fails to measure all of the intended sample.
Unsound generalizations
The investigator writes as though findings are more significant than they actually are.

39. Objective 8
Identify the varied services of psychologists

40. What Psychologists Do See page 27 in your IST
Prayerfully highlight the areas that you may think you need to give attention, so that you can serve your ministry better.

41. Objective 9
Trace the history of psychology from ancient Greece to the present

42. The History of Psychological Thought
Time does not allow us to study this unit effectively.
However, your instructor will highlight three important psychologist who have strong biblical influence in their thinking.
It will benefit the students to study these psychologists and their Christian approach, even if some of them were not in the Christian faith.
There are some Christian leaders that think that psychology and the Bible do not agree.
We will soon see if this is so.

43. The History of Psychological Thought
Your instructor’s recommendation:
Abraham Harold Maslow
Hierarchy of needs
I have come to give you life in its fullness
Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all things shall be added to you

44. The History of Psychological Thought
Everett L. Shostrom
Actualization based not on perfectness, but the healing love and power of God who can transform the entire being.

45. The History of Psychological Thought
Orval Hobart Mowrer
Emphasized psychotherapy based on honesty, responsibility, and other biblical moral values such as self- control.
Existentialism:
a philosophical attitude that stresses the individual's unique position as a self-determining agent responsible for the authenticity of his or her choices.

46. The History of Psychological Thought
Rollo Resse May
A Methodist pastor who worked with existential ideas and helped to support basic spiritual considerations (which lacked in American psychology).
Existentialism:
a philosophical attitude that stresses the individual's unique position as a self-determining agent responsible for the authenticity of his or her choices.
If you do not express your own original ideas,
if you do not listen to your own being,
you will have betrayed yourself

47. Biblical Examples of Psychological Concepts

48. Personal Objectives
Identify Scriptures which discuss psychological concepts.

49. The Mental Process
Attitudes, prejudices, and opinions are formed in the mental processes.
If we can learn how man thinks, we can begin to understand how and why he acts the way he does.
Prov 23:7
For as he thinketh within himself, so is he (ASV)
For as he thinks in his heart so he is (AMP)
for as he calculates in his soul, so is he (ESVST)

50. The Mental Process
There are still many people who think that psychology refers to attempt to control the individual. This is not true.
It is the duty of every believer to guide one’s thinking on those issues of eternal values.
Col 3:1-2 ff
1 If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.

51. The Mental Process
There are those who still think that trying to help people change their thinking is discrediting the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
INDEED, Christ DOES change the nature of man in the experience of conversion.
Nevertheless we must then study to show ourselves approved. We must study the Word and then ourselves by self examination (1 Cor 10:12; 13: 5)
1 Cor 10:12: Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
2 Cor 13:5-6
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you — unless, of course, you fail the test?

52. The Mental Process
Phil 4:8-9
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
New International Version

53. Conclusion to Lesson 1
Jesus understood the behavior of man. He called chosen people to train them to become leaders of the early church.
Today He still saves people in all areas of secular activity.
It is Christ who changes sinners into saints.
To understand ourselves and others, and how we behave, is really a way of knowing how to best use our talents and abilities for the glory of God.

54. Conclusion to Lesson 1
Jesus Clearly taught us to “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works (behavior) and glorify your Father in Heaven” (Matt 5:15).
Therefore, we must first change our own environmental press/mold, and then help others to change their attitudes, prejudices, and opinions and conform them with those of Christ.

55. End of Lesson 1 Level MQF/EQF 5 Introduction to Psychology:
A Christian Perspective
PSY3013
Level MQF/EQF 5
License-2013-FH1026
Global Institute of Theology