PSYCHOLOGY AS A SCIENCE

Psychology

science that studies behavior and mental processes

Topic of Interest

Nervous System, Sensation and Perception, Learning and Memory, Intelligence, e.g.

Psychologists

seeks to understand the factors that influence behavior and mental processes

Sensation

sensory receptors detects sensory stimuli

Perception

interpretation from those sensation

Theories

set of hypothesized statements

Psychological Theories

combine statements about behavior, mental processes, and biological processes

Overt Behavior

visible actions

Covert Behavior

not visibly seen or observable

e.g. emotions

Pure Research

sparked by curiosity

Applied Research

applying scientific knowledge to find solutions to social and personal problems

Scientific Research

great divers of progress in human history

Stress

process we perceive and respond that we appraise as challenging

normal human condition

Anxiety

excessive worries that do not go away

Ethics of Pyschology

extensive ethical guidelines

Informed Consent, Confidentiality, Privacy, Benefits, Deception

Informed Consent

given a free choice whether to participate

people should know when they are involved

Confidentiality

should not be made public

Privacy

not seek confidential information from others

Benefits

risks and benefits should be known by participants

Deception

need to deceive participants to hide true nature

required to debrief

Critical Thinking

active application of a set of skills to information

Mother Teresa

helped thousands of people living in slums of Kolkata

Albert Schweitchzer

has famous hospital in Africa

earned Noble Peace Price

Edward Jenner

Father of Immunology

first to conceive of and test vaccinations

Norman Borlaug and Fritz Haber

created “Green Revolution”

Rev. Fr. Georges Lemaitre

proposed the Big Bang model

no conflict between science and religion

Science

systematic observation to acquire knowledge

Empirical Methods

ways to learn about physical and biolgical world

Empiricism

ideas and knowledge develop in our minds or result of sensory experiencea

Science is not magic

not solve all human problems

Systematic observation is the core of science

in very organized way

Observation leads to hypotheses we can test

hypotheses and theories can be tested

Science is democratic

open discussions about their theories

Science is cumulative

learn important truths discovered by earlier scientists and build on them