psychology is the scientific study of behavior, mental processes and the factors that influence it....
TRANSCRIPT
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior, mental processes and the factors that influence it. Psychologists use the term behavior very broadly to refer both to actions that we can directly observe and to inner processes such as thought, feelings, images, and psychological reactions. In their search for the causes of these diverse forms of behavior, psychologists take into account biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
The science of psychology relates to virtually every aspect of our lives. It explores the nature and causes of our behavior and feelings, our motives and thoughts.
GOALS OF PSYCHOLOGYAs scientists, psychologists have four
basic goals:to describe how people and other animals
behaveto understand (explain) the causes of these
behaviors to predict how people and animals will
behave under certain conditions to control, or influence, behavior through
knowledge and control of its causes
PersonalityFor psychologists, personality is a set of relatively
enduring behavioral characteristics and internal predispositions that describe how a personality reacts to the environment. Psychologists recognize that an individual’s behavior is not consistent all the time or in every situation.
Personality TheoriesPersonality theories are a set of interrelated ideas
and facts put forward to coherently explain and predict behavior and mental processes. Personality theories focus on a few key questions:Does nature or nurture play a greater role in day to
day behavior?Do unconscious processes direct behavior?Are human behavior patterns fixed?Does a person’s behavior depend on the situation?What makes people consistent in their behavior?
Psychoanalytic Approach This perspective emphasizes unconscious
thoughts, conflict between biological instincts and society’s demands, and early family experiences.
Key features of this approach are:Our behaviour and feelings as adults are rooted in our
childhood experiences. Relationships (particularly parenting) are of primary
importance in determining how we feel and behave. Our behaviour and feelings are powerfully affected by
the meaning of events to the unconscious mind. Information can be obtained from dreams, irrational
behaviour and what patients say in therapy. The personality is made up of three distinct structures:
id, ego and super ego.
The Psyche (Personality)
Id:
Instincts
Superego:
Morality
Ego:
Reality
www.
psyc
hlot
ron.
org.
uk
Healthy Psyche
Id Superego
Ego
OK Guys – I’m in charge. Anything you want has
to go through me.
OK.OK.
www.
psyc
hlot
ron.
org.
uk
Neurotic
Id
Superego
Ego
Listen up! I’m in charge, and you are not here to enjoy yourselves.
Get ready for a double-size portion of anxiety with a side order of guilt!
No fun.
>whimper<
www.
psyc
hlot
ron.
org.
uk
The conscious. The small amount of mental activity we know about.
The preconscious. Things we could be aware of if we wanted or tried.
The unconscious. Things we are unaware of and can not become aware of.
ThoughtsPerceptions
MemoriesStored knowledge
FearsUnacceptable sexual desiresViolent motivesIrrational wishesImmoral urgesSelfish needsShameful experiencesTraumatic experiences
Bad
Worse
Really Bad
www.
psyc
hlot
ron.
org.
uk
Humanistic ApproachesMore interested in people’s concept of themselves
and what they would like to become.Assume that people are motivated by internal
forces to achieve personal goals.Focuses not on disturbed individuals but on
healthy people.
Maslow’s Theory of Needs
Trait ApproachTrait Theorists study specific traits. A trait is
any readily identifiable stable quality or behavior that characterizes the way in which an individual differs from other individuals.
If a person’s traits are known, it is possible to predict how the person will respond to various events in the environment.
Trait ApproachCardinal Traits: ideas and behaviors that
determine the direction of a person’s life. A clergyman’s cardinal trait may be devotion to God.
Central Traits: Behaviors related to person’s daily life, e.g. self control, tension, forthrightness etc.
Secondary Trait: Specific behaviors that occur in response to specific situations, e.g. prejudice against minorities, love of spectator sports,etc.
Behavioral ApproachPeople LEARN from their environments.Personality characteristics are not long
lasting and fixed, instead they are subject to change.
Stimuli and ResponseObservational Learning, e.g. parents, TV
Cognitive ApproachesInfluenced by humanistic idea that people are
essentially good and strive to be better.People can change their behavior, their
conceptions of themselves and their personalities in a short time if they are willing to change their thoughts.
Personality AssessmentObjective Personality Tests.Projective Tests.Behavioral Assessment
Behavioral Assessment InterviewsNaturalistic ObservationSelf Monitoring