Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - Psychology 101

What is Psychology?

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

What is “Behavior”?

Outward and observable actions and reactions

What are “Mental Processes”?

Internal activity of our minds (not observable)

What are the 4 goals of Psychology?

1. To DESCRIBE

2. To EXPLAIN

3. To PREDICT

4. To CONTROL

William Wundt

Objective Introspection

What is Objective Introspection?

The process of objectively examining and measuring one’s thoughts and mental activities

What is a criticism of introspection?

It is unreliable

Edward Titchener

Structuralism

What is Structuralism?

Analyze the structures of the mind by deconstructing mental processes into their basic elements

William James

Functionalism

What is functionalism?

The mind allows people to adapt to environments and experience (function of the mind is linked to survival)

Gestalt Psychology

The WHOLE is GREATER than the SUM of its PARTS (Big Picture)

Sigmund Freud

Emphasized the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences

Behavioralism

Psychology must only focus on OBSERVABLE and MEASURABLE behaviors.

Biopsychological Perspective

Examines how biology impacts behavior and mental processes (always begins with the body)

Psychodymanic Approach

1. UNCONSCIOUS vs. CONSCIOUS mind

2. Stresses CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES as roots of behaviors and personality development

3. UNRESOLVED CONFLICT influences behavior and how people think (repressed memories and feelings)

Behavioral Psychology

Examines human behaviors (strictly scientific)

Cognitive Psychology

Examines the mental process and how people think (how people obtain information)

Sociocultural Theory

Examines how culture and societal influences impact human behavior and mental processes

Evolutionary Psychology

Examines how evolution influences thinking and behavior

What is the difference between a Psychiatrist and Psychologist?

Psychiatrist:

• medical degree

• provides prescriptions

• rooted in biology

Psychologist:

• degree in psychology

• talk therapy

• counseling/psychotherapy

Basic Research

To further gather scientific knowledge without an obvious or immediate benefit

Applied Research

To solve specific, practical problems by applying scientific knowledge directly to real-world problems

Operational Definition

A precise definition of a variable in research

Naturalistic Observation

1. Data collection occurs in a natural setting

2. Detection of naturally occurring behaviors and patterns of behavior

3. observers describe and record behaviors

4. observer does not “change” the environment - blends in with environment

Laboratory Observation

Observing subjects in a created, controlled environment

Case Study

An in-depth analysis of a specific person, group of people, or a situation

Survey

A collection of information from a sample of individuals through responses to questions or prompts

What is a population?

The total number of individuals who have certain characteristics and are of interest to a researcher

What is a sample?

A subset of a population used to represent the entire group

What is sample bias?

a collection of samples that don’t accurately represent the entire group.

Correlation

implies there is simply some type of relationship between two variables (does not imply causation)

Causation

Implies one thing is the reason why something else happens (cause and effect)

Positive Correlation

Both variables increase or both decrease

Negative Correlation

One variable increases, the other decreases

No Correlation

No definitive relationship between the variables

Correlation Coefficient

A number indicating the strength of a relationship

Positive Coefficient

A positive correlation (ex. +0.9)

Negative Coefficient

A negative correlation (ex. -0.04)

What is the range of Correlation Strength?

(-1) to (+1)

Strong Correlation

Closer to (-1) or (+1)

Weak Correlation

The closer to 0

No Correlation

A Zero (0)

Independent Variable

What is manipulated

Dependent Variable

What is measured or observed (affected by the IV)

Experimenter Effect (Observer Effect)

Individuals modify behavior in response to an awareness of being observed

Experimenter Bias

Hints the experimenter may give about expected outcomes of the experiment to test subjects (intentionally or unintentionally)

Ethics in Psychological Research and Treatment

The standards, rules of conduct, and guidelines members of a profession follow

Volunteerism

humans consciously direct their thoughts and actions - rather than acting out of habit or instinct.