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Introduction to Psychology

What Is Psychology?

• Psychology is based on empirical methods, focusing on observation and experimentation rather than solely on logical arguments or authoritative sources.

• Critical thinking in psychology involves skepticism, recognizing biases, logical reasoning, appropriate questioning, and careful observation.

History of Psychology

• Structuralism: Understanding the structure and characteristics of mental processes.

• Functionalism: Identifying the functions of mental processes, similar to understanding the purpose of a car (transportation, status).

• Freud's influence on lifespan development, personality, and therapeutic approaches.

• The translation of Gestalt to "whole" emphasizes how various sensory perceptions are interpreted together.

• Behaviorism: Established psychology as a science through objective methods and experimentation. Key figures:

  • Pavlov: Classical conditioning and conditioned responses.

  • Skinner: Positive and negative reinforcement in operant conditioning.

• The historical bias of Western, white male perspectives in psychology has negatively impacted the representation and study of diverse populations.

• Naomi Weisstein challenged the male-dominated field and critiqued psychological science regarding women.

Contemporary Psychology

• Biopsychology: Focuses on physiological processes.

• Cognitive Psychology: Examines cognitive processes like thinking and memory.

• Developmental Psychology: Studies physical and mental development across the lifespan.

• Personality Psychology: Investigates unique individual traits.

• Social Psychology: Explores interactions and relationships among individuals.

• Clinical Psychology: Involves the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders.

• Forensic Psychology: Bridges psychology and the justice system, aiding in assessments relevant to legal processes.

Careers in Psychology

• Psychology graduates often pursue diverse career paths, including:

  1. Management and administration

  2. Sales

  3. Social work

  4. Human resources

  5. Marketing

  6. Healthcare

  7. Finance

Research in Psychology

Importance of Research

• Psychologists study behavior and underlying cognitive and physiological processes, striving for a deep understanding of human nature.

• Assumes that knowledge evolves, with potential changes in assumptions and predictions.

• Emphasizes the necessity of being informed consumers of information, discriminating between facts and opinions.

Foundational Figures

• Margaret Floy Washburn: First woman Ph.D. in psychology.

• Francis Sumner: First African American Ph.D. in psychology.

• Inez Beverly Prosser: First African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in psychology.

• Mary Whiton Calkins: First female president of the American Psychological Association (APA).

Research Methodologies

• Case Studies: Provide deep but not necessarily generalizable insights.

• Naturalistic Observation: Valid, but can be difficult to control.

• Longitudinal Research: Involves repeated observations over time.

• Correlation vs. Causation: Correlation indicates a relationship but does not imply causation.

Experimental Design

• Distinction between experimental and control groups.

• Awareness of experimenter bias and the placebo effect.

• Importance of random sampling and assignment to ensure representativeness.

Ethics in Research

• Strict guidelines safeguard human subjects from harm.

• Emphasizes informed consent and the necessity of transparency when deceiving subjects for study integrity.

Key Terms and Concepts

• Confirmation Bias: Ignoring evidence that contradicts one’s beliefs.

• Falsifiability: A hypothesis must be testable and disprovable.

• Replication Crisis: Concerns about the reproducibility of research findings in psychology.

• Informed Consent: Participants must be fully aware of what participation involves.

Summary

• Psychology is defined as the scientific study of mind and behavior, characterized by critical thinking, an understanding of diverse subfields, and a commitment to ethical research practices.