What psychology is not…

Benefits of Psychology ActivityOn a separate sheet of paper, brainstorm and

identify the benefits you hope to gain by studying psychology.You must come up with at least 10 things.

Para/pseudopsychology (What Psychology is not.)Parapsychology - the

field of study concerned with the supernatural or other phenomena that science cannot explain.AKA – Phony, fake, or

unscientific psychology.

ESP – Extra sensory perception

Dangers of Para/PseudopsychologyCan cause:

Beliefs of racial superiority

Beliefs of demonic possession as a cause of metal illness

LobotomiesEtc

More Specific Dangers of PseudopsychologyConfirmation Bias – We pay attention to

events that confirm our beliefs and ignore evidence that contradicts them.

Fraud – Waste time, money, and talent on inaccurate methods.

Can be used to falsely confirm racial or sexual stereotypes.

Acceptance of inaccurate methods for treating psychological disorders.Facilitated communication

4 forms of ESPPrecognition – Ability to know about events

before the occur.Psychokinesis – Ability to make objects move

by thinking of them as moving.Telepathy – The direct transmission of

thoughts or ideas from persons to person without anything being spoken or written down.

Clairvoyance – The ability to perceive objects that are out of the range of human senses.

What is Psychology?Psychology – The

scientific study of behavior and mental processes.Behavior – An action

that other people can observe or measure.

Goals of PsychologyExplain, predict, and

control behavior.Psychologists organize

their ideas about behavior and mental processes into theories.

Theory – A statement that attempts to explain why things are the way they are and happen the way they do.