Overview of Psychology

Dr. Robert Kaleta

Introductory PsychologyUniversity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

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What is Psychology?

Psychology is the study of behavior and the mind.

Psychology is: The science that studies behavior and the

physiological and cognitive processes that underlie it, and

The profession that applies the knowledge of this science to practical problems.

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Topics in Introductory Psychology

Common misunderstanding Only psychological disorders and personality

Wide variety of topics are addressed Research methodologies, perception, biology,

sleep, learning, development, emotion, personality, motivation, stress, psychological disorders, psychotherapy, and social behavior.

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Determinants of Behavior

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Determinants of Behavior

Factors that affect your performance in this class Dispositional

Intelligence Achievement motivation Biological factors

Situational Family responsibilities Teacher’s style Work schedule Use of technology

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Levels of Analysis

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Key Themes

Psychology is empirical Video clip

Heredity and environment jointly influence behavior Sociability – Reaction Range

Behavior is determined by multiple causes Performance in course

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Key Themes

Our experience of the world is highly subjective

Psychology is theoretically diverse Depression

Psychology evolves in a sociocultural context Freud’s theory of personality

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Determinants of Behavior

Factors that affect your performance in this class Dispositional

Intelligence Achievement motivation Biological factors

Situational Family responsibilities Teacher’s style Work schedule Use of technology

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Heredity/Environment Influence - Sociability

Low High

Biological Potential

Actual Behavior

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Heredity/Environment Influence - Sociability

Low High

Biological Potential

Actual Behavior