PSY Prologue

How is psychology a science?

It relies on an empirical approach and the use of the scientific method

Empirical approach

an evidence-based method that draws on observation and experimentation

3 Key Elements of Scientific Attitude

Curiosity, skepticism, and humility ALL prevent bias, validates findings, and ensures conclusions are based on evidence not opinion

“The rat is always right”

Exemplifies humility, researches must except empirical data as the truth no matter what they predicted or hoped for

Critical thinking

examines assumptions, appraises sources and discern biases, evaluates evidence and assesses conclusions

How does critical thinking feed a scientific attitude, and smarter thinking for everyday life?

Critical thinking feeds a scientific attitude by acting as the engine that puts curiosity, skepticism, and humility into practice

Roots of psychology

Philosophy and methodology

Wilhelm Wundt

Created the 1st psychology lab, uncovered elements of conscious experience, structuralism

Structuralism

focused on the structure of the mind by breaking down conscious experience with sensations, feelings, and images in our brain

William James

discovered second school of thought, focused on consciousness as a stream of thought, functionalism

Functionalism

focused on the purpose and function of behavior and mental processes

Margaret Floy Washburn

1st female to earn a PHD as an animal researcher

Psychoanalytical or Freudian Psychology

emphasized the ways our unconscious mind and childhood experiences affect our behavior; freud, sigmund

Behaviorism

a psychological approach that studies only observable, measurable actions; watson, skinner

Humanistic

historically significant perspective that emphasized human growth potential and our needs for love and acceptance; roger’s, maslow

Cognitive Neuroscience

study of the brain activity linked with cognition; perception, thinking, memory, and language

Natural Selection

the process by which organisms with traits best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce

Evolutionary Psychology

The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind; applies principles of natural selection to the mind

Nature-Nurture Issue

Scientific debate over whether human behavior, personality, and intelligence are shaped primarily by genetics (biology) or be environment (upbringing, life experiences)

Behavior Genetics

how genetic and environmental factors combine to influence individual differences in behavior and psychological traits; nurture works on what nature provides

Cross-Cultural and Gender Psychology

studies how cultural norms, societal values, and social contexts shape human behavior, gender roles, and identity across different societies

Positive Psychology

study of what makes life most worth living, focusing on human strengths, virtues, and optimal functioning rather than solely on mental illness

Biopsychosocial approach

an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis

Biological influences

natural selection, genes, genetic mutations, genetic predispositions

Psychological influences

emotional responses, cognitive processing, perception, learned behaviors

Social-cultural influences

presence of others, culture/family expectations, peer influences, media

SQ3R

survey, question, read, retrieve, review