Psychology Units 1 and 2

Clinical Psychologists

Concerned with assessment, diagnosis, treatments, and prevention of mental disorders. Some can specialize in treating certain disorders and other can help with personal issues- like marriage and divorce. 

Psychiatrist vs Psychologist

Psychiatrist- prescribe medication, MD

Psychologist- counselors

Counseling Psychologist

Focus more on psychological healthy individuals (limited mental health disorders). Work on developing assets and strengths, person and environment interactions, education and career development.

School Psychologists

Work with students in early childhood, elementary, secondary. Collaborate with teachers, parents, and school personnel to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments

Educational Psychologists

Entire school systems. Study how children and adults learn in educational settings. Conduct research on classrooms dynamics, teaching styles, and learning variables

Developmental Psychologists

Study the psychological, cognitive, and social development that takes place throughout life. Some specialize in behavior during specific time like infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, or old age.

Personal Psychologists

Study personality, individual characteristics, and traits. Interested in the origin of psychological problem and other issues like aggression and anxiety.

Social Psychologists

Examine people’s interactions with others and their social environment. Focus on external influences. Many specialize in a niche area like group behavior, leadership, attitudes, or perception

Experimental Psychologist

Conduct research into basic processes

Socrates

Think about thoughts and feelings. “know yourself” have introspection.

Hippocrates

Angered the gods was wrong. Problems we had were caused by abnormalities in the brain. “Hippocratic oath” named after him “Father of Medicine”

Aristotle

Human behavior subject to rules and laws. Motivated to seek pleasure and avoid pain. Experiences remind us past experiences-associationism

Middle Ages

Many Europeans blamed psychological problems on possession of evil demons. Punishment for deal with the devil. “Water float test”- the crucible

Modern Science

Age of enlightenment/reason. Beliefs about behavior and mental processes should be supported by evidence- proof. Late 1800s psychology labs established in the US and Europe. 1879- beginning of psychology as a modern lab science. 

Structuralism

School of psychology founded by Wilhelm Wundt that maintains that conscious experience breaks down into objective sensations and subjective feelings.

Objectives sensations- sight, taste, (5 senses)

Subjective sensations- emotions are open to interpretation

Functionalism

School of psychology founded by William James that focused on the relationship between experience and behavior. Concerned with how mental processes help organisms adapt to their environment. Habits become automatic through repetition. The Principles of Psychology 1890- first modern psychology textbook.

Behaviorism

School of psychology founded by John Watson that defines psychology as the scientific study of observable and measurable behavior.

Little Albert Experiment

By repeatedly pairing a white rat with a loud, startling noise, Watson and Rayner conditioned a fearful reaction in the nine-month-old "Little Albert," a fear that later generalized to other furry objects. The study is considered a landmark in the history of psychology for showing that emotions could be learned through conditioning

B.F. Skinner and reinforcement

When reinforced, an person is likely to repeat a behavior when rewarded. Skinner boxes- mice got shocked.

The Gestalt School

Much learning is through insight (problem solving) not mechanical repetition. Experiences can’t be broken down into parts or elements. Must look at the whole thing. Context influences are perception- the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. 

Sigmund Freud and Psychoanalysis

Importance of unconscious motives and internal conflicts. Unconscious processes are more important than conscious through

Biological Perspective

Thoughts are made possible by the nervous system. Looks for connections between events in the brain and behavior and mental processes. Ex; chemical in brain connected or influence of hormones and glands. CAT scan

Evolutionary Perspective

Darwin- most adaptive organisms have a greater chance of surviving and reproducing. Behaviors are hereditary and influence people to act in certain ways. (Family- aggressive, patient, shy)

Cognitive Perspective

People’s behaviors are influenced by their values, perceptions, and choices. Thought processes in determining behavior.

Humanistic Perspective

Personal experiences are the most important aspect of psychology. Self awareness, experience, and choice permits us to “invent ourselves” as we go through life. People are good and want to help others. Critics- can’t scientifically measure or observe inner experiences- unsustainable for research.

Psychoanalytic Perspective 

Freud- aggressive impulses are common reactions to the frustrations of everyday life. We want to vent these impulses on others. People are aggressive.

Learning Perspective

Leaning is the essential factor in meeting the goals of psychology. Behavior is learned through direct experience or observation. Different views of “learning”. behaviorist- people act based on previous experiences. Social learning theory- people learn through observation and they choose what to do with what they have learned based on values and expectations.

Sociocultural Perspective

Influences of gender, culture, and socio-economic status on behavior and mental processes.

Hypothesis

Observable and measurable. Very specific. Can be tested.  If and then statements.

Target Population

The total group to be studied or described and from whom samples may be drawn. Specific to who is effected.

Sample

Representative segment of a target population.

Random sample

Individuals selected by chance from target populations.

Stratified Sample

Sub groups in the population are represented proportionally in the sample. Match demographics of target population

Cross-Sectional Method

Researchers compare differences and similarities among people in different age groups at a given time

Naturalistic Observation Method

Researchers observe the behavior of people or animals in their natural habitats

Laboratory Observation Method

Participants are observed in labartory settings

Testing Method

Several types of test measure various elements of human behavior such as abilities, interest, and personalities

Case Study Method

Researchers conduct in-dept investigations of individuals of small groups to observe, find out background and personal histories.

Longitudinal Method

A group of participants are observed at interval over an extended period of time.

Positive correlation

Both variables are the same direction

Negative correlation

Both variables are in opposite direction

Independent variable

The factor that researchers manipulate so that they can determine its effect

Dependent variable

Depends on the independent variable

Control Group

Receives no treatment

Experimental Group

Receives treatment

Single Blind Study

Participants do now know if they are in the control or experiment group

Double Blind Study

Participants and researchers do now know if they are in the control or experiment group