Ch 1 Intro to Psych

What is Psychology?

  • Psychology is the scientific study of the brain, mind, and behavior.
  • It relies on the Scientific Method and is based on research and empirical evidence.
  • Key processes include observation, experimentation, and measurement.

Psychology, Pseudoscience, & Popular Opinion

  • Psychology is NOT:
    • Pop-psych (quick, sensational claims in media or education)
    • Pseudoscience (claims not based on scientific method)
    • Just common sense
  • Psychological findings can:
    • Validate common beliefs
    • Explain or extend them
    • Contradict them

What Is Critical Thinking?

  • Critical Thinking: systematic evaluation of the reliability and usefulness of information, as opposed to relying on anecdotes or emotional reactions.
  • It is a critical component of the scientific method.

Critical Thinking Guidelines

  • 1) Ask questions
  • 2) Define terms clearly (Operational Definitions)
  • 3) Analyze assumptions and biases (and emotional reasoning)
  • 4) Make observations / examine evidence
  • 5) Remain skeptical
  • Additional practices:
    • Consider alternative interpretations
    • Don’t oversimplify
    • Tolerate uncertainty

History of Psychology

  • Hermann Ebbinghaus quote (1908): "Psychology has a long past but a short history." — highlights that the field has ancient roots but a relatively recent scientific development.
  • Greek Philosophy (around 400 BC):
    • Questions about sources of knowledge and what is real
    • Debates about trusting senses
    • Emphasis on rational thinking, problem solving, and understanding emotions
    • Yet lacked the scientific method as used today
  • Greek Medicine & Physiology (around 400 BC):
    • Hippocrates: often considered founder of modern medicine
    • Observed head injuries and linked brain to pleasure & pain, emotions, and disorders with natural causes

Paradigm

  • Paradigm: a shared view point or lens; the entire constellation of beliefs, values, techniques, and so on within a scientific community (Kuhn, 1996, p. 175).
  • Paradigms guide:
    • Focus and topics studied
    • Research questions
    • Appropriate methodologies

Early Paradigms in Psychology

  • Wilhelm Wundt:
    • Established the first psychological laboratory in 1879 in Leipzig, Germany
    • Used scientific method to study psychological issues
    • Employed trained introspection: observe, analyze, and describe sensations, mental images, and emotions
    • Aimed to deconstruct mental experiences into the most basic elements
  • Structuralism (Edward Titchener):
    • Focus on basic elements of sensations, images, and feelings
  • Functionalism (William James):
    • Focus on the function or purpose of behavior; influenced by evolutionary theory
  • Psychoanalysis (Sigmund Freud):
    • Focus on unconscious motives and conflicts, early childhood experiences, and sexual & aggressive urges
    • Remains a major perspective today; further resources available via APA

Additional Early Paradigms in Psychology

  • Gestalt Psychology:
    • Emphasizes how parts of sensory experience relate to each other as a whole
    • Considers the individual as a whole, not just a sum of parts
  • Behaviorism (Pavlov, Watson & Skinner):
    • Emphasizes observable behavior and how past reward/punishment experiences shape behavior
  • Humanism (Abraham Maslow & Carl Rogers):
    • Emphasizes positive aspects of human nature
    • Focus on human growth and potential

Modern Subdivisions in Psychology

  • Basic vs. Applied Psychology:
    • Basic Psychology (Theoretical/Academic): aims to acquire knowledge across many topics
    • Subfields include: Behavioral Neuroscience, Sensation & Perception, Cognitive Psychology, Personality & Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and more
    • Applied Psychology: applying theories, principles, and techniques to real-world problems
    • Subfields include: Clinical/Counseling, School, Industrial/Organizational, Consumer Psychology & Advertising, Human Factors, and more
  • See APA dictionary for details on applied psychology

Biopsychology & Evolutionary Psychology

  • Biopsychology & Evolutionary Psychology explore:
    • The effect of biological processes on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
    • Evolution and genetics
    • Sensation & Perception: how sensory information is processed and organized
    • Cognitive Psychology: mental processes such as memory, judgment & decision making, problem solving, language

Developmental, Personality, Social Psychology

  • Developmental Psychology:
    • Study of development across a lifespan
    • Includes physical maturation, cognitive and moral development, social behavior, etc.
  • Personality Psychology:
    • Patterns of thoughts and behaviors that make each individual unique
  • Social Psychology:
    • Effects of social and cultural environments on thoughts and behavior

Health, Clinical, & Counseling Psychology

  • Health Psychology:
    • How health is affected by biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors
  • Clinical Psychology:
    • Diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and other behavioral issues
  • Counseling Psychology:
    • Focus on emotional, social, vocational, and health-related issues in psychologically “healthy” individuals

Forensic, Sport & Exercise, & Industrial-Organizational Psychology

  • Forensic Psychology:
    • Application of psychological principles in the justice system (e.g., competency to stand trial, sentencing & treatment recommendations, eyewitness testimony)
  • Sport & Exercise Psychology:
    • Psychological aspects of performance (e.g., motivation, anxiety) and wellbeing
  • Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology:
    • Application of psychological theories and research in workplace settings

Careers in Psychology

  • Academic/Research Psychologists
  • Clinical Psychologists
  • Psychologists in Industry, Law, or Other Settings
  • Specialize in areas of pure or applied research (examples):
    • Human development, psychometrics, health, education, industrial/organizational psychology, physiological psychology, sensation & perception, design and use of technology
  • Do psychotherapy and sometimes research; work settings include:
    • Private practice, mental health clinics, general hospitals, mental hospitals, research laboratories, colleges and universities
  • Other roles include:
    • Psychotherapists, Psychoanalysts, Psychiatrists

Types of Psychologists (APA Dictionary) – Summary

  • School Psychologist:
    • Curriculum planning, individual curriculum assessment and planning, psychoeducational testing, behavior problems, educational research
  • Counseling Psychologist:
    • Focus on emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organizational concerns (well-being, distress, crises)
  • Clinical Psychologist:
    • PhD or PsyD; research, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of emotional, behavioral, or psychological issues
  • Psychotherapist:
    • Licensed to treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders by psychological means; may be a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, social worker, or psychiatric nurse
  • Psychoanalyst:
    • Training in psychoanalytic theory and practice; typically backend by psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, or other mental health professionals
  • Psychiatrist:
    • MD; physician specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and study of mental, behavioral, and personality disorders

Resources and Reference Tools

  • APA Dictionary of Psychology:
    • More than 25,000 authoritative entries across 90 subfields of psychology
    • https://dictionary.apa.org/
  • ONET:
    • Online career descriptions and job analysis resources
    • https://www.onetonline.org/
  • Occupational Outlook Handbook (Bureau of Labor Statistics):
    • Job descriptions, working conditions, required training/education, earnings, job outlook
    • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/