Unit 1- Overview of Psychology and the Major Theoretical Perspectives

What is Psychology

Definition: Psychology is the scientific study and exploration of behavior and mental processes of all concerned species from developmental stage to end of life cycle.

four basic goals:

• to describe

• explain

• predict

• change behavior and mental processes

Major Theoretical Perspectives

Modern Psychology

The study of understanding, or philosophy, is at the core of psychology. Psychology is used to understand behavior, thoughts, and feelings while philosophy relates to understanding what people experience, not the emotion behind it.

Structuralism

• The school of thoughts known as structuralism was initiated by Wilhelm Wundt. This school of thought was called structuralism because of Wundt interest in the structural make up of consciousness. It was his hope to devise a table of the levels, or elements of human consciousness.

• One of Wundt's students, Edward B. Titchener, would later go on to further establish structuralism. Titchener viewed psychology scientifically. He believed that the only way to understand psychology was through experimentation. This eventually led to the idea that sensation and feelings were unscientific because it could not be measured by anyone but the person experiencing it.

Functionalism

• This school of thought focused on the role psychological processes have on helping people adapt to their surroundings. Functionalism formed as a reaction to structuralism and was heavily influenced by the work of William James and the evolutionary theory of Charles Darwin.

• Functionalists sought to explain the mental processes in a more systematic and accurate manner. Rather than focusing on the elements of consciousness, functionalists focused on the purpose of consciousness and behaviour. Functionalism also emphasized individual differences, which had a profound impact on education.

key aspects of modern psychology:

1. Psychodynamic Perspective: This perspective, popularized by Sigmund Freud, focuses on the unconscious mind and the influence of childhood experiences on shaping adult behaviour. It emphasizes the role of unconscious motives and conflicts in determining behavior.

2. Behavioural Perspective: The behavioural perspective centre on observable behaviours and the role of learning in shaping them. It suggests that behaviours are learned through interactions with the environment. Behaviourists like B.F. Skinner emphasize the importance of rewards and punishments in shaping behaviour, as well as the process of conditioning.

3. Cognitive Perspective: The cognitive perspective examines how mental processes such as perception, memory, problem-solving, and thinking influence behaviour. It focuses on how people process, store, and retrieve information, and how these processes impact their actions and emotions.

4. Humanistic Perspective: The humanistic perspective emphasizes individual growth, self-actualization, and the potential for personal development. Psychologists like Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers believe that individuals strive to fulfil their innate potential and that subjective experiences and personal perceptions are crucial to understanding behaviour.

5. Biological Perspective: The biological perspective explores the role of genetics, brain structure, neurotransmitters, and other biological factors in influencing behaviour and mental processes. It seeks to understand how physiological processes impact psychological experiences and actions.

6. Evolutionary Perspective: The evolutionary perspective examines behaviour through the lens of natural selection and adaptation. It suggests that certain behaviours and traits have evolved over time because they provided survival and reproductive advantages. This perspective seeks to explain how behaviours are linked to our evolutionary history.

Sociocultural Perspective: The sociocultural perspective emphasizes the influence of social and cultural factors on behaviour. It considers how cultural norms, societal expectations, and social interactions shape individuals' thoughts, feelings, and actions

Scientific Method

The scientific method is a structured approach used to formulate and test hypotheses, gather empirical evidence, and draw conclusions. Here's how the scientific method is applied in psychology

1. Observation: The process begins with observing a phenomenon or behaviour of interest. This observation may arise from everyday experiences, previous research, or theoretical considerations.

2. Formulating a Research Question: Based on the observation, researchers formulate a specific research question that they aim to investigate. The question should be clear, concise, and well-defined.

3. Generating Hypotheses: A hypothesis is a testable statement or prediction that proposes a relationship between variables. Researchers develop hypotheses based on existing theories, observations, or logical reasoning.

4. Designing the Study: Researchers design a study to test the hypotheses. This involves deciding on the research method (e.g., experiment, survey, observation), selecting participants, and determining how data will be collected and analysed.

5. Collecting Data: Researchers gather data according to the study's design. Data can be collected through surveys, experiments, interviews, observations, or other methods, depending on the research question.

6. Analysing Data: Collected data is analysed using statistical techniques. This analysis helps researchers identify patterns, relationships, and trends within the data.

7. Interpreting Results: Researchers interpret the findings of the data analysis in the context of the research question and the hypotheses. They determine whether the results support or refute the hypotheses.

8. Drawing Conclusions: Based on the interpretation of results, researchers draw conclusions about the phenomenon being studied. These conclusions contribute to the existing body of knowledge in psychology.

9. Publishing and Peer Review: Researchers typically write up their findings in a research paper and submit it to peer-reviewed journals. Peer review involves having experts in the field evaluate the research for its validity, rigor, and significance before publication.

Psychology as a science aims to uncover underlying principles and mechanisms that govern human behaviour and mental processes. The scientific method provides a systematic and objective approach to inquiry, allowing psychologists to generate knowledge that is based on empirical evidence and can be used to make informed decisions, develop interventions, and advance our understanding of the human experience