What is Psychology?What is Psychology?

The scientific definition of The scientific definition of Psychology:Psychology:

Psychology is the scientific study Psychology is the scientific study of of behavior and mental behavior and mental

processes.processes.

Why study Psychology?Why study Psychology?

The study will give you new ways The study will give you new ways to look to look at and interpret your world at and interpret your world

and the and the people who inhabit it.people who inhabit it.

What is Psychology?What is Psychology?

September 9, 2011September 9, 2011

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Be able to define “Psychology”Be able to define “Psychology” Know what Psychologists studyKnow what Psychologists study Understand the history and evolution of Understand the history and evolution of

PsychologyPsychology Review for Tuesday’s TestReview for Tuesday’s Test

Behavior and Mental Processes

Behavior is any action that other people can observe or measure.

Mental Processes (cognitive processes) are mental processes that are not directly observable. They include dreams, perceptions, thoughts, memories, etc.

Psychology also studies emotions (feelings) Emotions affect both

behavior and mental processes.

Goals of Psychology

In general, scientists seek to observe, describe, explain, predict, and control the events studied.

Psychologists observe, describe, explain, predict and sometimes even control behavior and mental processes to better understand the human psyche.

Psychology as a sciencePsychology as a science Psychology is a social science with foundations in Psychology is a social science with foundations in philosophyphilosophy

and and natural sciencenatural science..*Social sciences include history, anthropology, *Social sciences include history, anthropology,

sociology, sociology, economics, political science, linguistics, economics, political science, linguistics, psychology, etc.psychology, etc.

However, like all scientists, psychologists study behavior and However, like all scientists, psychologists study behavior and mental processes using the scientific method to test ideas mental processes using the scientific method to test ideas (i.e., conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, (i.e., conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions) and then form new or reshape pre-and drawing conclusions) and then form new or reshape pre-existing theories.existing theories.

Psychology is anchored by both Psychology is anchored by both scientific researchscientific research and and theorytheory..

ResearchResearch is the testing of ideas (hypotheses and theories) is the testing of ideas (hypotheses and theories) through various research methods.through various research methods.

Psychology continually tests theories, hypotheses, ideas and Psychology continually tests theories, hypotheses, ideas and therefore is considered an therefore is considered an empiricalempirical science. science.

Psychology as a sciencePsychology as a science TheoryTheory is a statement or set of statements that is a statement or set of statements that

attempt to explain why things are the way they attempt to explain why things are the way they are and happen the way they do. are and happen the way they do.

A useful psychological theory allows psychologists A useful psychological theory allows psychologists to predict, explain, and/or treat/control behavior to predict, explain, and/or treat/control behavior and mental processes. and mental processes.

It is a continual cycle where established theories It is a continual cycle where established theories drive research which in turn changes the theories drive research which in turn changes the theories and again directs further research. and again directs further research.

What Psychologists Do!

All psychologists share a strong interest in behavior and mental processes, AND in the value of scientific research.

Some psychologists are mainly interested in research -> investigating factors that explain behavior and mental processes.

Other psychologists consult (or provide direct social services). These psychologists apply their knowledge by providing some form of psychotherapy to help people.

Yet other psychologists teach – sharing their knowledge.

What Psychologists Do!What Psychologists Do!

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40% ClinicalPsychologist

CounselingPsychologist

School/EducationalPsychologist

DevelopmentalPsychologist

Social/PersonalityPsychologist

ExperimentalPsychologist

Industrial/Organizational Psychologist

Other

Psychological Psychological PerspectivesPerspectives

Although all psychologists agree and are committed Although all psychologists agree and are committed to to empiricismempiricism and and scientific researchscientific research, they , they approach the study of behavior and mental approach the study of behavior and mental processes from different points of view.processes from different points of view.

Psychologists try to understand the relationships, Psychologists try to understand the relationships, causes, and effects of behaviors and mental causes, and effects of behaviors and mental activities. activities.

For example, a psychologist might be interested in For example, a psychologist might be interested in understanding the behavioral and mental processes that understanding the behavioral and mental processes that explain drug abuse. (Why does one person become explain drug abuse. (Why does one person become addicted, while another person does not?)addicted, while another person does not?)

How will the psychologist approach this inquiry?How will the psychologist approach this inquiry? The psychologist needs an approach, a perspective, to The psychologist needs an approach, a perspective, to

begin researching this inquiry. Depending on the begin researching this inquiry. Depending on the perspective, it will dictate the set of assumptions, perspective, it will dictate the set of assumptions, questions, and methods that he/she will use to understand questions, and methods that he/she will use to understand the behavioral and mental processes of drug addiction.the behavioral and mental processes of drug addiction.

Psychological PerspectivesPsychological Perspectives First perspective: First perspective: PsychodynamicPsychodynamic

Rooted in Sigmund Freud’s Rooted in Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysispsychoanalysis.. Assumes that all behavior and mental Assumes that all behavior and mental

processes reflect the constant and mostly processes reflect the constant and mostly unconscious psychological struggles within unconscious psychological struggles within the individualthe individual

Freud believed that unconscious conflicts Freud believed that unconscious conflicts stemmed from unresolved childhood stemmed from unresolved childhood conflicts.conflicts.

Today, this perspective has been transformed Today, this perspective has been transformed and is reflected in a number of contemporary and is reflected in a number of contemporary theories explaining personality, psychological theories explaining personality, psychological disorders, and psychotherapy.disorders, and psychotherapy.What might a psychoanalyst say is the

reason someone who always needs to chew gum?

Psychological PerspectivesPsychological Perspectives

Second perspective: Second perspective: CognitiveCognitive Understands behavior and mental Understands behavior and mental

processes by focusing on how processes by focusing on how individuals sense, mentally represent, individuals sense, mentally represent, and store mental information.and store mental information.

Cognitive PerspectiveCognitive Perspective Focuses on how we Focuses on how we

think (or encode think (or encode information)information)

How do we see the How do we see the world?world?

How did we learn to How did we learn to act to sad or happy act to sad or happy events?events?

Cognitive Therapist Cognitive Therapist attempt to change the attempt to change the way you think.way you think.

Meet girl Get Rejected by girl

Did you learn to be depressed

Or get back on the horse

Psychological PerspectivesPsychological Perspectives

Third perspective: Third perspective: BehavioralBehavioral Antecedent is Antecedent is Behaviorism (only study Behaviorism (only study

observable behavior)observable behavior) Assumes that behavior and mental processes Assumes that behavior and mental processes

are primarily the result of learningare primarily the result of learning Modern-day behavioral approach has changed Modern-day behavioral approach has changed

to a to a Cognitive-behavioral ApproachCognitive-behavioral Approach.. Now, psychologists working from this Now, psychologists working from this

perspective study measurable mental perspective study measurable mental processes in addition to the traditional processes in addition to the traditional emphasis on observable behaviors.emphasis on observable behaviors.

Behavioral PerspectiveBehavioral Perspective

If you bit your If you bit your fingernails when you fingernails when you were nervous, a were nervous, a behaviorist would not behaviorist would not focus on calming you focus on calming you down, but rather down, but rather focus on how to stop focus on how to stop you from biting your you from biting your nails.nails.

Psychological PerspectivesPsychological Perspectives Fourth perspective: Fourth perspective: HumanisticHumanistic

Developed by Carl Rogers (trained in the Developed by Carl Rogers (trained in the psychoanalytic tradition, began humanistic approach psychoanalytic tradition, began humanistic approach through his theories on personality and his through his theories on personality and his psychotherapy methods)psychotherapy methods)

Studies behavior and mental processes primarily by Studies behavior and mental processes primarily by studying each individual’s uniqueness and capacity studying each individual’s uniqueness and capacity to think and actto think and act

A humanistic psychologist would argue that to fully A humanistic psychologist would argue that to fully understand a person’s behavior and mental understand a person’s behavior and mental processes you must appreciate the individual’s processes you must appreciate the individual’s perceptions and feelings experienced.perceptions and feelings experienced.

Today, the humanistic perspective has limited Today, the humanistic perspective has limited influence in psychological research mainly because influence in psychological research mainly because humanistic theories tend to be too broad and humanistic theories tend to be too broad and therefore difficult to test scientifically. Humanistic therefore difficult to test scientifically. Humanistic psychology is primarily an approach in psychology is primarily an approach in psychotherapy.psychotherapy.

Humanistic PerspectiveHumanistic Perspective

Focuses on positive growthFocuses on positive growth Attempt to seek self-actualizationAttempt to seek self-actualization Therapists use active listening and unconditional Therapists use active listening and unconditional

positive regard.positive regard.

Mr. Rogers would have made a great Humanistic Therapist!!!

Psychological PerspectivesPsychological Perspectives

Fifth perspective: Fifth perspective: BiologicalBiological Assumes that behavior and mental Assumes that behavior and mental

processes are largely shaped by processes are largely shaped by biological processesbiological processes

Understands behavior and mental Understands behavior and mental processes by studying hormones, genes, processes by studying hormones, genes, and the activity of the nervous system and the activity of the nervous system especially the brain.especially the brain.If you could not remember the names of your parents and went to a psychologist who adheres to the biological perspective, what might they say?

Psychological PerspectivesPsychological Perspectives

Sixth perspective: Sixth perspective: SocioculturalSociocultural Here, psychologists focus on the influence of Here, psychologists focus on the influence of

cultural factors on the individual’s behavior cultural factors on the individual’s behavior and mental processes.and mental processes.

Seeks to understand human behavior and Seeks to understand human behavior and mental processes by studying such cultural mental processes by studying such cultural factors as gender, culture, ethnicity, race, and factors as gender, culture, ethnicity, race, and socioeconomic status, and so forth.socioeconomic status, and so forth.

Even in the same high school, behaviors can change in accordance to the various subcultures.

Psychological PerspectivesPsychological Perspectives

Seventh perspective: Seventh perspective: EvolutionaryEvolutionary (related to Biological perspective)(related to Biological perspective) Assumes that behavior and mental Assumes that behavior and mental

processes are a result of evolution processes are a result of evolution through natural selection.through natural selection.

Understands behavior and mental Understands behavior and mental processes by focusing on the adaptive processes by focusing on the adaptive value of behavior, biological value of behavior, biological mechanisms that make adaptation mechanisms that make adaptation possible, and the environmental possible, and the environmental conditions therein. conditions therein.

Evolutionary PerspectiveEvolutionary Perspective

Focuses on Focuses on Darwinism.Darwinism.

We behave the way We behave the way we do because we we do because we inherited those inherited those behaviors.behaviors.

Thus, those behaviors Thus, those behaviors must have helped must have helped ensure our ancestors ensure our ancestors survival.survival.

How could this behavior have ensured Homer’s ancestors survival?

Philosophical Roots of Philosophical Roots of PsychologyPsychology Ancient Greek philosophers, among other Ancient Greek philosophers, among other

things, speculated on the concept of things, speculated on the concept of dualismdualism (body & mind or body & spirit).(body & mind or body & spirit).

DualismDualism is the notion that the world is divided is the notion that the world is divided into two parts: body and spirit.into two parts: body and spirit.

Early Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato Early Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle asked psychological questions and Aristotle asked psychological questions about the body and the mind and sought about the body and the mind and sought answers.answers.

The Renaissance ushered in the Age of The Renaissance ushered in the Age of Reason and the Enlightenment (the scientific Reason and the Enlightenment (the scientific revolution) (15revolution) (15thth-16-16thth century), great century), great discoveries in biology, astronomy, and other discoveries in biology, astronomy, and other sciences & movements in literature and the sciences & movements in literature and the arts – human nature began to be the subject arts – human nature began to be the subject of scientific inquiry. of scientific inquiry.

Philosophical Roots of Philosophical Roots of PsychologyPsychology French philosopher Rene Descartes (1596-French philosopher Rene Descartes (1596-

1650) theorized about the nature of man and 1650) theorized about the nature of man and dualism.dualism.

Descartes hypothesized that the mind and body Descartes hypothesized that the mind and body interact; and that the mind controls the body interact; and that the mind controls the body while the body provides the mind with sensory while the body provides the mind with sensory input. input.

The British philosopher John Locke (1632-The British philosopher John Locke (1632-1704) expanded on Descartes work. 1704) expanded on Descartes work.

Locke introduced a new branch of philosophy Locke introduced a new branch of philosophy known as known as EmpiricismEmpiricism – the acquisition of truth – the acquisition of truth through observations and experiences.through observations and experiences.

Locke suggested that all knowledge is learned Locke suggested that all knowledge is learned NOT innate – that all knowledge is derived NOT innate – that all knowledge is derived from experience.from experience.

Empiricism v. NativismEmpiricism v. Nativism Empiricism – Empiricism –

John LockeJohn Locke1.1. Our senses are Our senses are

passive.passive.2.2. There are no There are no

innate ideas.innate ideas.3.3. Tabula Rasa Tabula Rasa

(Blank Slate) = (Blank Slate) = we are born with a we are born with a blank mind.blank mind.

4.4. Knowledge comes Knowledge comes from experience from experience implies that all of implies that all of what we know what we know comes from comes from sensory sensory information AND information AND by making by making associations.associations.

Nativism – Nativism – Immanuel Kant Immanuel Kant (German Philosopher)(German Philosopher)

1.1. Alternative to Alternative to empiricism, empiricism, perceptual experience perceptual experience depends on the depends on the organism’s active role organism’s active role in understanding and in understanding and acquiring knowledge.acquiring knowledge.

2.2. This ability to actively This ability to actively process sensory process sensory information is innate.information is innate.

3.3. Knowledge is not Knowledge is not from sensory input from sensory input alone; there must be alone; there must be pre-existing pre-existing abilities/structures to abilities/structures to organize and process organize and process sensory information.sensory information.

History of Modern Psychology: History of Modern Psychology: Wave One – IntrospectionWave One – Introspection The beginning of modern psychology is 1879.The beginning of modern psychology is 1879. In that year, Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) established the first In that year, Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) established the first

psychological laboratory at the University of Leipzig, Germany.psychological laboratory at the University of Leipzig, Germany. Wundt studied on the psychological phenomena – Wundt studied on the psychological phenomena –

introspectionintrospection = asking subjects to record their cognitive = asking subjects to record their cognitive reactions to simple stimuli. Wundt was examining basic reactions to simple stimuli. Wundt was examining basic cognitive structures.cognitive structures.

He eventually developed the theory of He eventually developed the theory of StructuralismStructuralism – the idea – the idea that the mind operates by combining subjective emotions and that the mind operates by combining subjective emotions and objective sensations.objective sensations.

In 1890, William James (1842-1910) published the first In 1890, William James (1842-1910) published the first psychology textbook: psychology textbook: The Principles of PsychologyThe Principles of Psychology. .

James studied how these “structures” Wundt identified James studied how these “structures” Wundt identified ““function” function” in life. James was more interested in studying and in life. James was more interested in studying and understanding the function of mental processes. This theory is understanding the function of mental processes. This theory is called called FunctionalismFunctionalism..

History of Modern Psychology: History of Modern Psychology: Wave Two – Gestalt PsychologyWave Two – Gestalt Psychology Gestalt psychologists like Max Wertheimer Gestalt psychologists like Max Wertheimer

(1880-1943) argued against dividing human (1880-1943) argued against dividing human thought and behavior into discrete thought and behavior into discrete structures; instead, they examined a structures; instead, they examined a person’s whole experience because the way person’s whole experience because the way we experience the world is more than just an we experience the world is more than just an accumulation of various perceptual accumulation of various perceptual experiences.experiences.

Gestalt psychology = to study the whole is Gestalt psychology = to study the whole is more important than just the sum of its part.more important than just the sum of its part.

History of Modern Psychology: History of Modern Psychology: Wave Three – PsychoanalysisWave Three – Psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) revolutionized Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) revolutionized

psychology with his psychoanalytic theory.psychology with his psychoanalytic theory. While treating patients with psychosomatic While treating patients with psychosomatic

complaints, Freud theorized about what he complaints, Freud theorized about what he called “the unconscious mind”- a part of our called “the unconscious mind”- a part of our mind that we are not conscious of and that ,in mind that we are not conscious of and that ,in part, influences our thoughts and behave.part, influences our thoughts and behave.

Freud believed that to understand human Freud believed that to understand human behavior and thought we must examine the behavior and thought we must examine the unconscious mind through psychoanalytic unconscious mind through psychoanalytic therapy.therapy.

History of Modern Psychology: History of Modern Psychology: Wave Four – BehaviorismWave Four – Behaviorism Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) (in Russia) pioneered Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) (in Russia) pioneered

conditioning experiments. conditioning experiments. After studying Pavlov’s work, American John Watson After studying Pavlov’s work, American John Watson

(1878-1936) advanced the notion that for (1878-1936) advanced the notion that for psychology to be considered a science it must limit psychology to be considered a science it must limit itself to studying observable phenomena only, and itself to studying observable phenomena only, and not unobservable constructs such as the not unobservable constructs such as the unconscious mind.unconscious mind.

Watson among others established behaviorism as Watson among others established behaviorism as the dominant paradigm of American psychology in the dominant paradigm of American psychology in the first half of the 20the first half of the 20thth century. century.

Behaviorists argued that psychology should study Behaviorists argued that psychology should study only behavior and the causes of behavior – stimuli only behavior and the causes of behavior – stimuli and responses. and responses.

Another famous behaviorist, B.F. Skinner (1904-Another famous behaviorist, B.F. Skinner (1904-1990), expanded upon his predecessors to include 1990), expanded upon his predecessors to include the idea of reinforcements’ impact on shaping the idea of reinforcements’ impact on shaping behavior (he introduced Operant Conditioning).behavior (he introduced Operant Conditioning).

History of Modern Psychology: History of Modern Psychology: Wave Five – Multiple Wave Five – Multiple PerspectivesPerspectives With the Civil Rights Movement of the With the Civil Rights Movement of the

1960s in the United States, psychology 1960s in the United States, psychology began to consider the many different began to consider the many different cultural perspectives when considering cultural perspectives when considering human behaviors and mental processes. human behaviors and mental processes.

Psychologists began to study human Psychologists began to study human behavior and thought from the different behavior and thought from the different existing perspectives (called eclectic existing perspectives (called eclectic approach) and to consider the multiple approach) and to consider the multiple sociocultural factors.sociocultural factors.

History of Modern Psychology: History of Modern Psychology: Wave Six – NeuropsychologyWave Six – Neuropsychology

Today, with all the advances in Today, with all the advances in modern technology the past 30 years, modern technology the past 30 years, psychology has turned more towards psychology has turned more towards neuroscience and the molecular study neuroscience and the molecular study of the nervous system in of the nervous system in understanding human behavior and understanding human behavior and mental processes.mental processes.

The subfield of neuropsychology has The subfield of neuropsychology has grown tremendously in the last grown tremendously in the last twenty years.twenty years.

Psychology’sPsychology’s BIGBIG Debates!!!Debates!!!1.1. Nature vs. NurtureNature vs. Nurture – Are – Are

human traits and psychological human traits and psychological characteristics inborn OR do characteristics inborn OR do they develop over time through they develop over time through experience?experience?

2.2. Rationality vs. IrrationalityRationality vs. Irrationality – – What is rational and what is What is rational and what is not?not?

3.3. Stability vs. ChangeStability vs. Change – Are – Are certain human traits stable or certain human traits stable or do they change?do they change?