PSY131 Week 2 What is Psychology and Psychology as a Science

Ulster University Psychology Week 2 Lectures

Area of Focus: Perception

• Perception studies help us understand brain functions.

• Sense Organs:

  • Equipped with eyes, ears, and noses, allowing us to receive environmental information.

  • Each sense organ forms part of a sensory system that processes sensory inputs and relays information to the brain.

Formation of Perceptions

• Perceptions are hypotheses formed based on past experiences and stored information.

• Incorrect hypotheses result in perceptual errors, such as visual illusions.

• Examples of visual illusions displayed for analysis.

Psychology as a Science

Comparisons to Other Sciences

• Psychology is comparable to mature sciences like Anatomy, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

• Key milestones in psychology include:

  • First modern Psychology lab established in 1878.

  • The first individual to identify as a Psychologist was alive in 1920.

Divergence of Theories

• As a relatively newer and diverse science, psychology has competing theories attempting to explain behavior scientifically.

Scope of Psychology

• Psychologists study a vast range of phenomena including:

  • Physiological processes (nervous system)

  • Genetics

  • Environmental events

  • Personality characteristics

  • Development

  • Social interactions

  • Health behaviors

  • Mental abilities

• Due to extensive subdivisions, psychologists typically have in-depth knowledge of specific sub-areas rather than expertise across all domains.

Definition of Psychology

• Definition: "Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior." - (American Psychological Association, British Psychological Society)