Download Psychology

Chapter 1
What is Psychology?
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter Preview

Defining Psychology

Psychology in Historical Perspective

Contemporary Approaches to Psychology

What Psychologists Do

Science of Psychology and Health and Wellness
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Psychology: Defined
Psychology is the scientific study of
behavior and mental processes.
Three Key Components



science – systematic methods
behavior – what can be directly observed
mental processes – thoughts, feelings, motives
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Science of Psychology

Critical Thinking

Skepticism

Objectivity

Curiosity
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Psychology – A General Science
Psychology is not limited to the study
of psychological disorders.
Freud’s view of human nature
 positive psychology

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Narcissism Epidemic
Narcissism…unusually self-confident,
self-assertive, and self-centered.
Generation born since 1980s
“More narcissistic than early generations”
vs.
“Attitudes have been stable over time”
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
History of Psychology
Western Philosophy
Biology and Physiology
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920)

1879 – established 1st psychology lab
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Wundt’s Structuralism

identified structures of the mind

introspection

systematic, detailed self-reports
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
James’ Functionalism

identified the functions and purposes
of the mind

stream of consciousness

human interactions with outside world

why is human thought adaptive?
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Psychology and Evolution
Charles Darwin
On the Origin of Species, 1859
Natural Selection



competition for resources
genetic characteristics that promote
reproduction and survival are favored
environmental changes alter course of
evolution
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Contemporary Approaches
Current Psychological Perspectives
Biological
Behavioral
Psychodynamic
Humanistic
Cognitive
Evolutionary
Sociocultural
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Biological Approach
The biological approach focuses on the
brain and nervous system.
Neuroscience



study of the structure, function, development,
genetics, biochemistry of the nervous system
thoughts and emotions have physical basis in brain
allowed psychologists to better understand the brain
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Behavioral Approach
The behavioral approach focuses on the
environmental determinants
of observable behavior.
Notable Behaviorists



John Watson
B.F. Skinner
rejected thought processes
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Psychodynamic Approach
Psychodynamics emphasizes



unconscious thought
conflict between biological drives and
demands of society
early childhood family experiences
Psychoanalysis - Freud
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Humanistic Approach
Humanists emphasize
 positive human qualities
 capacity for positive growth
 free will
Humanistic Theorists
 Carl Rogers
 Abraham Maslow
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Cognitive Approach
The cognitive approach emphasizes the
mental processes involved in knowing.
Information Processing
…how humans interpret incoming info, weigh it,
store it, and apply it
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Evolutionary Approach
The evolutionary approach uses ideas such
as adaptation, reproduction, and natural
selection to explain human behavior.
Evolutionary Psychologists


David Buss
Leda Cosmides
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sociocultural Approach

examines how social and cultural
environments influence behavior and mental
processes

studies differences between ethnic and
cultural groups within and across countries
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Careers in Psychology
Practice / Applied
Research
Teaching
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Areas of Specialization












Physiological Psych / Behavioral Neuroscience
Sensation and Perception
Learning
Cognitive Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Motivation & Emotion
Psychology of Women & Gender
Personality Psychology
Social Psychology
Industrial / Organizational Psychology
Clinical & Counseling Psychology
Health Psychology
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Areas of Specialization
Also (but not addressed in text beyond this chapter)
 Community Psychology
 School & Educational Psychology
 Environmental Psychology
 Forensic Psychology
 Sport Psychology
 Cross-Cultural Psychology
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Career Settings in Psychology
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Influence of Culture
Individualistic Cultures


individuals viewed as unique and distinct
from their social group
value independence
Collectivistic Cultures


emphasize social group and the individual’s
role within that group
value interdependence
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Influence of Culture
Individualistic subjects


prefer to work on tasks that they have had
previous success with
like to emphasize their successes
Collectivistic subjects


prefer to work on tasks that they have
difficulty with
self-critical view
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Science of Psychology and
Health and Wellness
Mind-Body Connections


how the mind impacts the body
how the body impacts the mind
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter Summary

Explain what psychology is and how it differs from an everyday, informal approach to understanding human nature.

Discuss the roots and early scientific foundations of
psychology.

Summarize the main themes of the seven approaches to
psychology.

List some of the areas of specialization and careers in
psychology.

Describe the connections between the mind and the body.
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter Summary
Defining Psychology

scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Historical Foundations of Psychology




origins in philosophy and physiology
structuralism – Wilhelm Wundt
functionalism – William James
evolutionary theory – Charles Darwin
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter Summary
Contemporary Approaches to Psychology

current approaches – complementary
Specializations and Careers in Psychology


practice, research, teaching
academic, clinic, private practice, industry, school
Science of Psychology and
Health and Wellness

mind-body connection is a “two-way street”
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.