Chapter 1 - Introduction to Psychology

What is Psychology?

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

What is Behavior?

Any activity that can be measured, recorded or observed

Who opened the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany?

Wilhelm Wundt (1879)

Who founded the first psychology department at Harvard University?

William James (1879)

How many different divisions of specializations does the American Psychological Association classify?

56

What are the five different areas of specialty areas in psychology?

Experimental, Physiological Psychology, Social, Developmental, and Clinical Counseling

What is Experimental Psychology?

The study of overt (observable) and covert (not directly observable) behavior and the many factors which influence behavior. Oldest research area in Psychology.

What are the four overt and covert behaviors studied in Experimental Psychology?

1. Learning - Animal & Human

2. Cognitive - Memory, Thought Processes, AI

3. Sensation and Perception - Five Senses

4. History

What is Physiological Psychology?

Looks at how biological processes affect behavior & influences performance.

What are the three areas of research in Physiological Psychology?

1. Neuropsychology

2. Psychopharmacology

3. Comparative

What is Neuropsychology?

Brain & Behavior

What is Psychopharmacology?

Drugs and Behavior

What is Comparative research?

Animal Behavior

What is Social Psychology?

The study of groups (people) & how they interact with and respond to other people. Areas researched include attraction, attitudes, stereotypes, discrimination, attributuion, and conformity.

What is Developmental Psychology?

The study of systematic changes in an organism from birth to death. Areas researched include physical, social, and cognitive changes as well as verbal development in humans.

What is Clinical/Counseling Psychology?

Represents the greatest number of psychologists/mental health specialists?

What are the three research areas in Clinical/Counseling Psychology?

1. Counseling Psychology

2. Clinical Psychology

3. Psychiatry

What is Counseling Psychology?

Private practice, earns a MS, EdD, PsyD, or PhD - must be licensed - treats people with “less severe” and “more common” problems

What is Clinical Psychology?

PhD & license - more intense training (includes and internship), emphasizes research - treats “more severe” problems

What is Psychiatry?

MD who specializes, after medical school, in Psychology - able to prescribe medicine to help patients with their mental health issues

What is the Thatcher Effect?

The two upside-down images both appear superficially correct as faces. When these images are rotated, however, it becomes clear that the face on the right had its eyes and mouth inverted.