Chapter 1: Psychology

Psychology

the scientific study of the mind and behaviour

Description

“How” things happen

Explanation

“Why” things happen

Prediction

“When” things will happen

Control

Reducing stress or increasing self-control

The Brain

neuronal activity, brain structures, and genes

The individual

emotions, thoughts, ideas

The group

friends, family members, the larger population, (culture)

Wudnt (Wilhelm)

• German

• introspection

• volunteerism

• reaction time

• Titchner’s structuralism

James (William)

developed functionalism

Introspection

self-reflection/inspecting ones thoughts

Volunteerism

free will

Titchner’s structuralism

a mode of knowledge of nature and human life that is interested in relationships rather than individual objects, where objects are defined by the set of relationships of which they are part and not by their individual qualities

Functionalism

mental states are identified by what they do rather than by what they are made of

Gestalt (whole)

emphasizes that the whole of anything is greater than its parts

Behaviourism

focuses on the idea that all behaviours are learned through interaction with the environment (the science of observable behaviour)

Ivan Pavlov

developed an experiment testing the concept of the conditioned reflex. He trained a hungry dog to salivate at the sound of a metronome or buzzer, which was previously associated with the sight of food

John Watson

founded classical behaviourism, an approach to psychology that treated behaviour (both animal and human) as the conditioned response of an organism to environmental stimuli

B. F. Skinner

consequence (±) is the driving force of behaviour

Abraham Maslow

stated our behaviours are impacted by our motivations to survive (hierarchy of needs)

Humanism

emphasis on the potential for good

Carl Rogers

developed client-centered therapy, focused on unconditional positive regard, genuineness and empathy

Cognitive psychology (Uric Neisser)

explores mental processes (how we think, remember, and learn)

Mary Whiton Cakins

earned a PhD from Harvard for her focus on memory

Margaret Floy Washburn

first woman awarded a doctoral degree in psychology

Martha Bernal

first Latina person to earn a PhD for her research with Mexican children

Areas of Contemporary Psychology

1. Biopsychology and Evolutionary Psychology: How biology influences immediate behaviour.

2. Sensation and Perception: Our perception of sensory stimuli impacts our experiences.

3. Cognitive Psychology: Focuses on mental processes.

4. Developmental Psychology: Process related changes across the lifespan.

5. Industrial-Organizational Psychology: Personal management, organizational structure, and hiring decisions.

6. Health Psychology: health is impacted by an interaction of multiple variables (education, public policy, interventions).

7. Sports and Exercise Psychology: Psychological aspects of sports performance (managing physical and mental well-being).

8. Clinical Psychology: Diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders/adjustment (popularized in the media).

9. Forensic Psychology: Within the context of the justice system (may have to stand on trial, aid in eye-witness and children’s testimonies).

Contemporary Psychology

both historical and social forces determine the focus of a scientific inquiry

Branches of Psychology

• Academic (Professors): Teaching and doing research.

• Clinical and Counselling: Therapists

• Applied: Schools, marketing, research institutions