introduction to psychology what is psychology? research vs. applied psychology founding fathers of...

Introduction to Psychology

• What is Psychology?

• Research vs. Applied Psychology

• Founding Fathers of the study of Psychology

What is Psychology?

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes and how they are affected by an organism’s physical, state, mental state, and external environment.

What is Psychology?

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes and how they are affected by an organism’s physical, state, mental state, and external environment.

• Scientific study requires several things:

1. Framework / theory

2. Testable Hypotheses

3. Measurable and valid evidence / data

What is Psychology?

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes and how they are affected by an organism’s physical, state, mental state, and external environment.

• Behavior and mental processes include overt, observable instances but also include subtle kinds of instances, like brain activity.

What is Psychology?

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes and how they are affected by an organism’s physical, state, mental state, and external environment.

• Humans and may other creatures included in the scientific study of behavior and mental processes

What is Psychology?

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes and how they are affected by an organism’s physical state, mental state, and external environment.

• Physical state relates primarily to the organism’s biology - most especially the state of the brain and central nervous system

What is Psychology?

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes and how they are affected by an organism’s physical state, mental state, and external environment.

• Mental state does not have to be conscious - can study mental states in many creatures without their conscious awareness - and can be studied in terms of brain activity.

What is Psychology?

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes and how they are affected by an organism’s physical state, mental state, and external environment.

• All organisms function in an environment that is constantly presenting them with problems and challenges that must be solved.

What is Psychology?

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes and how they are affected by an organism’s physical state, mental state, and external environment.

• Most people think of psychology as the study of differences between people, but it also includes the study of similarities between people.

RESEARCHRESEARCH APPLIEDAPPLIED

>> STUDY

Origin, cause, results

College / University Think Tanks (gov’t)

Independent Researchers

Drug Companies

>> USE

Apply the study results

Psychiatrists Counselors Therapists Teachers

Social Workers

The Founding Fathers who have helped shape Psychology

Charles Darwin The Theory of Evolution (1859) Study of animals could reveal something about

humans Inspired scientists to study behavior

The Founding Fathers who have helped shape Psychology

Wilhelm Wundt “Father” of Psychology 1879 – started laboratory for studying humans Human behavior can be studied & measured

scientifically Objectivity vs. Introspection

Sigmund Freud (late 1800’s-early 1900’s) Development of Personality theory Influenced by early childhood experiences &

unconscious conflicts within ourselves

William James (published text 1890) Focus on human functioning in & adaptation to their

environment Study the human experience as a whole

We all react differently to the world Basic rules apply to human emotion, but never lose

sight of the individual!

John B. Watson (1920’s) Learning theory

Behaviorism & the impact of learning on human emotion

“We are what we learn to be” Favored structured child-rearing

B.F. Skinner (1950’s-1990) Focused on the effects of environment and what it

forces us to be (good or bad) Scientific study of observable behaviors, not

thoughts

NEUROBIOLOGY: behavior is the result of nervous system and biology

BEHAVIORISM: behavior is the result of learning and associations

HUMANISM: people are basically good and capable of helping themselves

PSYCHOLOANALYTIC: viewing the individual as the product of unconscious forces

COGNITIVE: how humans use mental processes to handle problems or develop certain personality characteristics

SOCIOCULTURAL: behavior influenced by the rules and expectations of social groups or cultures.

The Six Theories of Psychology (pages 11-17)