Introduction to Psychology
A Moment to Reflect
Devotion
The Science of Psychology
Something
to Consider
Select a word
from the Brain
and share
your
understanding
of it.
The Science
of
PSYCHOLOGY
Objectives
1. Define the concept psychology.
2. Explain the concept of the levels of analysis.
3. Outline the roles of any 2 types of psychologists.
4. Identify the major schools of Psychology
5. Explain any two goals of psychology
6. Explore the history of Psychology.
7. Distinguish between descriptive and correlation research.
8. Justify the importance of ethics in research.
A Quick Overview!
Defining Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior, American
Psychological Association (APA).
It is the study of the mind, how it works, and how it affects
behavior.
It “embraces all aspects of the human experience, from the
functions of the brain to the actions of nations, from child
development to care for the aged.”
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154874
What is Psychology?
Psychology – scientific study of behaviour and mental
process
Behaviour – outward or overt actions and reactions.
Mental processes – internal, covert activity of our minds
Psychology is a science
Prevent possible biases from leading to faulty observations
Precise and careful measurement
What is Psychology (CONT.)?
• SCIENCE: use of logics to reason about possible cause and
effects
• MIND: the mind is what the brain does – the mental events
it produces both when you engage in thinking and feeling.
• BEHAVIOUR: outwardly observable acts of a person and
those are easily seen.
Why study Psychology?
The study will give new ways to look at and interpret your
world and the people who inhabits it.
Psychology seeks to understand our thoughts, feelings and
actions.
What is Psychology all about?
• Memory
• Learning
• Stress
• Personality
• Therapy
• Aging
• Love
• Intelligence
• Persuasion
• Sexuality
• Hypnosis
• Emotional happiness
• Death
• Mental illness
• Conformity
• Sensation
• Creativity
• Treatment of disorders
Goals of Psychology
1. Observe
2. Describe
3. Explain
4. Predict
5. Control
Fields of Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Abnormal Psychology
• Counselling Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Experimental Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Industrial Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
The Evolution of a Science
Structuralism (what are the building block and how they function)
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) & Edward Titchener (student of
Wundt)
Focused on identifying the “building blocks” of consciousness
1. sensation (which comes through the sense organs) eyes,
ears, etc.
2. feelings (fear, anger, love, etc.)
The rule of structuralism looked at how the two may occur at the
same time. Introspection: Looking within
The Evolution of a Science
Functionalism (adaptation to the environment around us)
William James (1842-1910)
Understanding how our minds helps us to adopt to the world
around us – in short, to function in it.
Influenced by Darwin’s theory of evolution
- studied how the mind helps individuals to function in their
environment
- animal observations provide clues for human behavior
(supported by evolutionary ideas)
The Evolution of a Science
Psychodynamic Theory
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)
The mind has separate components: conscious and
unconscious
Much of behavior is influenced by the unconscious
Psychoanalysis: emphasize unconscious motives and
internal conflicts
The Evolution of a Science
• Behaviorism
• John Watson (1878-1958) & B. F. Skinner(1904-1990)
• The mind cannot be observed
• Behavior can be observed
• Science should study the observable
• Reinforcement
• Stimulus-response
The Evolution of a Science
• Humanistic Psychology
• Carl Rogers & Abraham Maslow (1908-1970)
• People have positive values, free will, and deep inner
creativity, which in combination can allow to choose life’s
fulfilling path to personal growth.
• Individuals strive for self-actualization
The Evolution of a Science
• The Cognitive Revolution
• (gave birth to Cognitive Psychology)
• Focus on mental processes (information processing)
• Cognitive neuroscience
The Evolution of a Science
• Evolutionary psychology
• Lida Cosmides, John Tooby, David Buss, & Steven Pinker
• Evolutionarily successful cognitive strategies and goals
survived
• Comparison of human and primate abilities
What Psychologists Do
Clinical psychology
• Psychotherapy
• Clinical neuropsychology
• Psychological testing
Counseling psychology
• Helping people with everyday issues
• Career counseling
• Vocational testing
Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist
What Psychologists Do
• Academic Psychologists
• Teach classes
• Conduct research
• Main Types:
• clinical
• cognitive
• developmental
• social
• physiological
What Psychologists Do
• Applied Psychologists
• Solve problems in practical areas
• Main Types:
• developmental
• human factors
• industrial/organizational
• personality
• social
• sport
• school
Descriptive Research
• Naturalistic observation
• Allows one to see patterns in the real world
• Case studies
• Focus on a single interesting case in detail
• Surveys
• A set of questions that people are asked about their beliefs,
attitudes, preferences, or activities
Correlational Research
Studies that investigate the relationship between two or
more measured variables
Examples:
• Age and health
• Height and weight
• Rain and erosion
Ethics in Research
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Research with people:
Informed consent
Avoid deception unless necessary
Debriefing
Research with animals:
Avoid mistreatment
Proper housing
Ethics in Clinical Practice
Proper training and supervision
Maintain privacy
APA code of conduct:
• Beneficence and nonmaleficence
• Fidelity and responsibility
• Integrity
• Justice
• Respect for people’s rights and dignity
Reference
Kosslyn, S. M. & Rosenberg, R. S. (2011). Introduction to Psychology –
brain, person, group (4th ed.). Stanford University. Allyn & Bacon.
Baron, R. A., Byrne, D. & Branscombe, N. R. (2006). Social Psychology
(11th ed.). Pearson Education.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154874
