PSY1011_CL_S1_Class_-audio__1_

Introduction to Psychology

• Lecture: PSY 1011 Lecture 1

• Instructor: Chris

• Class Size: 1,700 students (largest unit in the university)

• Purpose: To define psychology and explore different schools of thought and their historical development.

Learning Objectives

• Define psychology broadly.

• Examine historical perspectives and different schools of psychology.

• Understand the biopsychosocial model in the explanations for psychological phenomena.

Pop Psychology

• Definition: Common beliefs about human psychology, often not scientifically validated.

• Misconceptions:

  • Myth: We use only 10% of our brains (false).

  • Misconception: Psychologists can read minds (false).

  • Misunderstanding: Memory works like a video camera (false).

  • Cliché: “Opposites attract” is misleading due to familiarity bias.

  • Beliefs about full moons affecting behavior (no evidence).

Common Sense and Cognitive Shortcuts

• Common sense can be contradictory, such as:

  • "Birds of a feather flock together" vs. "Opposites attract."

  • It relies on cognitive shortcuts which can lead to misconceptions about human behavior.

• Cognitive Dissonance:

  • We can hold contradictory beliefs depending on situational contexts.

• Importance of common sense for quick decision-making, despite its potential inaccuracies.

The Nature of Psychology

• Definition: Science of mental processes (thoughts, feelings, behaviors).

• Goal: To understand, explain, and predict human behavior in different contexts.

• Positive Psychology:

  • Focuses not just on mental illness, but on enhancing well-being and meaningful living.

Barriers and Benefits of Psychology

• Psychology as a tool to:

  • Overcome barriers (such as stress in students).

  • Enhance performance (sports psychology, productivity).

• Edge Cases: Discussed superstitions and cultural differences in common sense.

Determinants of Behavior

• Model: Reciprocal determinism model emphasizes interaction between personal, behavioral, and environmental factors.

• Individual differences (biology, genetics, personality) and cultural/environmental impacts are crucial.

Schools of Thought in Psychology

• Historical Evolution: Understanding history necessary to grasp current theories.

• Emergence of psychological schools:

  • Structuralism (Wundt): Focused on introspection and analyzing consciousness components.

  • Functionalism (James): Emphasized the purpose and function of mental processes.

  • Behaviorism (Watson, Skinner): Stressed observable behavior and responses to the environment.

  • Psychoanalysis (Freud): Explored the unconscious and childhood experiences influencing behavior.

  • Cognitive Psychology: Investigated mental processes like memory retrieval and decision-making.

  • Humanistic Psychology (Maslow, Rogers): Focused on personal growth and self-actualization.

  • Evolutionary Psychology: Explored how behaviors evolved for survival and reproduction.

Key Theories and Concepts

1. Psychodynamics: Conflict between id, ego, and superego influences mental illness.

2. Behavioral Conditioning: Responses to stimuli can be conditioned (Pavlov).

3. Cognitive Processes: Mental representations (schemas) guide behavior.

4. Evolutionary Perspective: Behaviors developed through natural selection.

5. Social/Cultural Factors: Understanding behavior in relational to cultural contexts.

6. Biopsychosocial Model: Comprehensive view combining biological, psychological, and social factors.

Application Example

• Rattling ice cubes trigger a person’s trauma due to abusive past:

  • Freudian View: Symbolizes repressed memories triggering PTSD.

  • Pavlovian View: Sound associated with negative childhood experiences.

  • Humanistic View: Blockages to self-actualization due to past trauma.

  • Cognitive View: Retrieval of negative memories based on sound leads to emotional responses.

  • Evolutionary View: Fight or flight response due to perceived threat from triggering stimuli.

Conclusion

• Different schools of thought provide multiple explanations for psychological phenomena, demonstrating that psychology evolves through a complex interplay of ideas rather than a linear progression.