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Introduction to Psychology 101

• Welcome to the course, first assessable class for the exam.

• The course is like "tapas" – providing a range of topics to help decide on future paths in psychology.

• Presented by Jason Bell, Associate Professor in School of Psychological Science.

Personal Background

• Jason's journey: Former high school dropout, PhD from UWA.

• Topics of expertise: Visual perception, recognition of shapes and objects, applied settings (e.g., Navy periscopes, clinical disorders).

Objectives of the Course

• Core focus on research design and understanding various aspects of psychology.

• Importance of vocabulary and frameworks for understanding content.

• Discussing neurotransmitters, cause and effect, cognitive processes.

Overview of Research Design

• Research Design: Frameworks for addressing psychological questions.

• Importance of understanding hypothesis formation for lab reports.

• Types of research discussed: Observational and manipulative.

• Example: Testing interventions like therapy for depression requires understanding of scientific methods.

Historical Foundations of Psychology

• Start with the history of psychology to frame the discipline.

• Scientific thinking: Formulating hypotheses and understanding areas of research.

• Explore perspectives: Behavioral, cognitive, biological aspects of psychological phenomena.

Interactive Learning

• Discussion on individual interpretation of images (e.g., old lady vs. young woman) provides insight into cognitive processes.

• Engaging students in displaying different perspectives to highlight psychology's complexity.

Philosophy and Psychology

• Discussion on the mind-body problem: Monism vs. Dualism.

• Monism: Everything can be explained by physical brain activity.

• Dualism: Mind as separate from the brain, introducing philosophical complexity in understanding consciousness.

Evolution of Psychology from Philosophy

• Introduction to phrenology: Initial belief linking physical traits to mental attributes, popular in the 1800s.

• Functional Specialization: Concepts that certain brain areas correspond to specific cognitive functions (e.g., language, facial recognition).

Behaviorism

• Overview of behaviorism: Examines observable behavior rather than internal states.

• Key Figures: Pavlov's classical conditioning (dogs), Skinner's operant conditioning (Skinner boxes).

• Implications for understanding disorders like depression focusing on behavior, rather than innate characteristics.

Psychodynamic Theory

• Freudian theory examines the influence of early childhood experiences on behavior.

• Emphasis on unconscious and conscious motivations using the iceberg metaphor (id, ego, superego).

• Limited emphasis on Freudian concepts in modern Australian psychology.

Cognitive Psychology

• Describes the mind as a computer, focusing on processes like reasoning, decision making, and problem-solving.

• Understanding differences in cognitive processing related to conditions like depression.

Biological Perspective

• Understanding behavior through biological processes: Neurotransmitter activity, brain structure, and functioning.

• Example of research on kittens showing the effect of environmental stimulation on brain development.

Integrating Perspectives

• Modern psychology often combines techniques to cover strengths and weaknesses across approaches.

• Use of fMRI and DTI to explore brain activity and its relation to psychological processes.

Practical Research Examples and Methodologies

• Importance of scientific approach to acquire knowledge and formulate beliefs scientifically.

• Examples of correlational studies, observational methods, case studies, and surveys in research.

• Emphasis on gathering reliable evidence and being cautious of generalizations and biases in interpretation.

Conclusion and Course Structure

• Overview of expectations: Combining lectures with textbook reading for deeper understanding.

• Encouragement to engage in research participation and to reflect on learned content.

• Invitation to ask further questions and seek guidance as needed throughout the semester.