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Psychology
= Study of the human mind and its wide-ranging functions and influences
both a science and a profession
Studies how individuals and groups to better understand how people, communities, and societies function and ways for them achieve them
Psychiatrists
= a medical professional specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
Medical doctors
Prescribe medication
Diagnose illness, manage treatment, and provide a range of therapies for mental illness
Psychologist
= someone who studies the human mind and human emotions and behaviour, and how different situations have an effect on people.
Not medical doctors
Can't prescribe medication
Focus on providing psychotherapy (talk therapy) to help patients
More likely to see people with conditions that can be helped effectively with psychological treatments
Thoughts, Feelings, Behaviours
Thoughts → assist us in making decisions and carrying out many tasks automatically
Behaviours → our actions, and can be easily observed
Feelings → the perceptions of events within the body or our internal state
Cognitive Dissonance
When thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are not aligned and cause tension
Ancient Greek Philosophers
Psychology has its roots in the ancient Greek philosophers (e.g. Platos, Socrates, Aristotle)
Dealt with questions about nature vs nurture and what has more of an impact on the people we become
They look at motivation, memory, desire, free will and how we perceive the world.
William Wundt
Widely regarded as the ‘Father of Psychology’
Started the first lab to study human minds in 1879
Established Psychology as a formal field of study
Interested in Introspeciation (self-observation)
William James
Regarded as the ‘Father of modern Psychology’
Philosopher, Historian, and Psychologist
Focused on the mind and body
Wrote ‘Principles in Psychology’ in 1890 (first psychology textbook)
Types of Psychologists
Developmental Psychology
Forensic Psychology
Educational Psychology
Industrial/Organisational Psychology
Clinical Psychology
Neuropsychology
Sports Psychology
7 Major Perspectives of Modern Psychology
Psychodynamic
Behavioural
Cognitive
Biological
Cross-Cultural
Evolutionary
Humanistic
Pseudoscience
= A collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method
Generally well-established beliefs that have not changed over centuries.
May provide alternative explanations for things
Examples of Pseudosciences
Astrology, Palmistry, Tarot Cards (predicting future events)
Phrenology, Psychic surgery, Crystal healing (diagnosis & treatment)
Clairvoyance, Psychokinesis, Precognition (physical/psychological phenomena)
Astrology = Believe the positions of stars/planets determine personality traits
Palmistry = Claims lines on hands reveal personality & someone's future
Tarot Cards = Believing that cards can show the future
Phrenology = Claims the shape of the skull reveals personality traits
Psychic Surgery = A pseudoscientific medical fraud where people create an illusion of performing surgery
Crystal Healing = alternative medicine technique where people believe crystals can heal people
Clairvoyance = Claimed supernatural ability to know hidden information or see spirits. Not scientifically proven.
Psychokinesis = Where objects are supposedly objects are able to move as a result of the mind
Precognition = The psychic ability to see events in the future
Psychology as a Science
Psychologists rely on researching thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that people have in common
Psychologists study theories using a scientific approach and don’t jump to conclusions
Critical thinking is crucial in all aspects of research in order to analyse & provide alternative explanations and construct ideas to be generalised.
Ethical Consideration
They are the precautions taken to protect the physical and psychological well-being of the participant
Guidelines must be followed when carrying out research, and must be approved by an ethics committee.
Ethical standards help us make judgements (right vs wrong)
Where possible, the experimenter must ensure all participants don’t experience any harm to protect their welfare.
The individual rights of all participants must be respected by the researcher, as outlined in ethical guidelines relating to psychological research.
Confidentiality
A participant’s rights to privacy in terms of access, storage, and disposal of information collected about them
Private information must not be shared without the participants consent
Voluntary Participation
A participant must willingly take part in an experiment, free from pressure or threats