what is psychology? psychology is the science of mental processes and behavior
Post on 15-Jan-2016
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What is Psychology?
• Psychology is the science of mental processes and behavior
Levels of Analysis:The Complete Psychology
• Events large and small– The level of the group– The level of the person– The level of the brain
Science vs. Common Sense
Objective data collection
Reliance on evidence
Systematic observation
Subjective data collection
Ignores counterevidence
Hit or miss observation
What about belief?
• You can believe anything you want, sensible or not
• Belief is very personal-- why should I believe you?
• You cannot make anyone believe anything
• Only evidence can settle belief disputes
Pseudo-science
Why people believe:
•People like excitement
•People are prone to wishful thinking
•People are naïve and trusting
•People remember hits, ignore misses
Psychology as a Science
• Attempts to describe, predict, and explain thought and behavior.
• Uses scientific method
Science
• Terminology:
• Advantages of science:
Hypothesis
Theory
Science is more systematic, and less subject to human bias
Judging Theories
• Fit to the data
• Quality of the data
• Ability to predict
• Ability to explain
Belief in the theory is
irrelevant to its quality.
The Evolution of a Science
• The early days– Structuralism– Functionalism– Gestalt Psychology
The Evolution of a Science
• Psychodynamic theory – Unconscious– Psychoanalysis
• Behaviorism– Reinforcement
The Evolution of a Science
• Humanist psychology– Client-centered therapy– Self-actualization
• The Cognitive Revolution– Information Processing– Language– Cognitive Neuroscience
The Evolution of a Science
• Evolutionary psychology– Cultural universality
Wilhelm Wundt
Founder of psychology as a discipline. Focused on conscious experience and its building blocks. Trained many early psychologists.
History & Roots
Edward Titchener:Chief proponent of structuralism. Used introspection to tap human consciousness. Had troubles with verification of data and replicability.
William James:Founder of American Functionalism. Viewed behavior in terms of its adaptive value for the organism. Focused on the flow of consciousness rather than its structure.
John Watson
Founder of Behaviorism. Confined psychology to the study of observable stimuli & behavior.
B. F. Skinner
Extended behaviorism, examined the effects of reinforcement on behavior.
Sigmund Freud
Founded psychoanalysis, focused on unconscious thoughts in determining behavior.
The Gestaltists
Considered the whole greater than the sum of its parts. Suggested perception was more than the individual sensations involved.
The Humanists
Considered each human unique, argued people strive for "self-actualization." Generally not empirically testable.
Modern Views
Modern psychologists are eclectic -- approach problems from multiple perspectives. Believe behaviors have multiple causes.
Psychology Perspectives
• Biological
• Psychoanalytic/Individual
• Behavioral
• Humanistic
• Developmental
• Cognitive
• Social-cultural
Specialties
Employment
What Today’s Psychologists Do
• Clinical and counseling psychology– Therapist– Counseling psychologist– Psychiatrist– Social worker– Psychiatric nurse
• Academic Psychology– Teaching and Research
What Today’s Psychologists Do
• Applied psychology– Human factors psychologist– Industrial/organizational (I/O) psychologist– Sport psychologist– School psychologist