UNIT ONEWhat is Psychology?

Ch. 1

PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes Behavior- any action that other people can

observe and/or measure Cognition- mental processes that are unseen

Memory, dreams, perception, thoughts

PSYCHOLOGY

Goals Observe/Describe-

taking measurements and recording Explain-

determine the how and whys of behavior Predict-

make judgments on future behavior by using data of past events

Control/change- use behaviors of individuals to help accomplish goals

PSYCHOLOGY

IS a SOCIAL SCIENCE Deal with structure of human society and the

nature and interactions of the individuals that make up society…(and animals)

Psychology specifically focuses on behaviors and mental processes of individuals in a society.

We use basic science (research for knowledge sake) and applied science (use of basic science)

PART 2What do Psychologists DO?

PSYCHOLOGISTS

Three types of Psychologists Psychiatrists

Observe, identify and treat psych issues with medicine and therapy

Clinical Psychologists Observe, identify and overcome psychological issues

Counseling Psychologists Identify and help clarify everyday issues

TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGISTS School- identify issues that interfere with learning Educational- concerned with theoretical issues in learning Developmental- study changes throughout the life span Personality- identify characteristics of people Social- focus on individuals in groups Experimental- conduct research into basic human

processes I/O- focus on increasing productivity in the workplace Environmental- focus on relationship b/w individuals and

their environments Consumer- focus on how people shop Forensic- focus on criminal behavior Health- focus on how mental states affect physical health

PART 3A History of Psychology

ROOTS OF PSYCHOLOGY

Philosophy of Ancient Greeks were the building blocks of modern Psychology Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and Hippocrates

Birth of Modern Science People began to theorize about life on earth using

empirical research. Birth of Psychology as a science

Wilhelm Wundt 1879 Leipzig, Germany Established the first psych experiment

Experimented with human sensation and awareness

And so, Psychology birthed many schools of thought to explain behavior

PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES

Structualism (Wundt and Tichner) Focused on basic elements of consciousness

Functionalism (James) Consciousness is a continuous stream and

served the purpose of adaptability Gestalt (Wertheimer, Koffka, Kohler)

Learning is active and purposeful, perceptions are more than the sums of their parts

PERSPECTIVES

Behaviorism/Learning (Pavlov, Skinner, Watson) We learn behavior via observable responses

Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic (Freud, Jung) Motivated by unconscious conflicts

Cognitive (Piaget, Vygotsky) How we think shapes what we do

Humanistic (Maslow, Rogers) Motivated by need to belong and personal growth

Socio-Cultural Our environment shapes who we are

Biological Our mind and body determine behaviors

UNIT ONEPsychological Methods

Ch.2

CONDUCTING RESEARCH

Quick Review for YOU! What are the goals of Psychology?

Observe, Explain, Predict and Change We use __________science when conducting

research We use ___________science when we use the

research already conducted.

CONDUCTING RESEARCH

The scientific method…yup, you know this. Question

What are you interested in finding out? Hypothesis

What do you think you will find out? Research

Which method of research is best? What are the operational definitions?

Analyzing Organizing all the data

Conclusions What does all your data say?

Replicate

RESEARCH METHODS

Descriptive Research Case Study Longitudinal Cross-Sectional Observations

Naturalistic/Laboratory Surveys

Population Sample

RESEARCH EXAMPLE: SURVEY

Q- Are Hough Students Happy? H- yes, due to their personal and educational

environments. R- Survey

Operational Definitions- Population- Hough High Students Sample- 200 students

Randomization- ask 9,10,11 and 12th grade English teachers to pass out surveys in class

INTERPRETING DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH

Correlation Measure of relatedness Predicts Behavior Correlation Coefficient

Determines strength and direction of relationship A Number ranging from -1 to +1

1 indicating a strong relationship 0 indicating no relationship Positive- Variables move together Negative- Variables move opposite

RESEARCH METHODS

Experiment Proves Cause and Effect Components of an Experiment

Independent Variable Dependent Variable Placebo Groups

Experimental Group Control Group

Decreasing Bias Random Assignment Single-Blind Study Double-Blind Study

RESEARCH METHODS

Analyzing Results Organization

Frequency Distribution Charts Measures of Central Tendency

Mean, Median and Mode Interpretation

Graphs Measures of Variability

Range and Standard Deviation

PRACTICE Is there a relationship between the number of hours a

person spends studying and his/her test grade?

Hours Studying Test Grade

.5 70

3 85

4.2 75

11

7560

5 95

3 89

2.5 60

8 98

.5 50

PRACTICE

With the following information, please answer the following: Create a Frequency Distribution Chart to organize data Create a scatter plot to determine the correlation

between hours studying and test grade. Label each axis accordingly.

What type of correlation is shown? _________________ Would you say it was a strong correlation?

Determine the mean, median and mode of the test scores. Which is the best measure of central tendency and why?

Determine the mean, median and mode of the hours spent studying. Which is the best measure of central tendency and why?

What is the range of scores on the test?

PRACTICE

Scores

Hou

rs