Comprehensive Cheat Sheet Notes: Psychology Foundations (Module 1)

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior, fostering critical thinking and understanding of behavior.
Foundational Figures & Early Perspectives:
- Wundt: Structuralism, introspection to break down cognitive experiences.
- James: Functionalism, how mental activities adapt to environment.
- Freud: Psychodynamic perspective, unconscious mind and childhood experiences influencing conscious behavior (late $19^{ ext{th}}$ to early $20^{ ext{th}}$ century; figures: Freud, Erik Erikson).
- Gestalt psychology: Holistic view of experiences, impacting sensation and perception.
- Behavioral perspective: Observable behavior, learning, and conditioning (early $20^{ ext{th}}$ century; figures: Pavlov, Watson, Skinner).

Five Psychological Domains (Pillars):
- Domain $1$ : Biological psychology – biological bases of behavior (neuroscience, consciousness, sensation/perception).
- Domain $2$ : Cognitive psychology – thought processes affecting behavior (perception, attention, memory, intelligence).
- Domain $3$ : Developmental psychology – physical and cognitive changes across the lifespan (learning, language).
- Domain $4$ : Social and Personality psychology – how social contexts and individual differences shape thoughts, feelings, behaviors.
- Domain $5$ : Mental and Physical psychology – abnormal psychology, treatment, coping, health (e.g., Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology).
Applied Psychology Areas: Industrial/organizational, health, sport/exercise, forensic, clinical psychology.
Later Perspectives (post-early $20^{ ext{th}}$ century): Biological, evolutionary, sociocultural.

Doctoral degrees: Required for academic careers.
Master’s degrees: Opportunities in nonacademic fields.
Bachelor’s degrees: Limited direct psychology roles, but skills are broadly applicable.

Behaviorism: Focus on observable, learned behaviors determined by environment.
Biopsychosocial model: Health determined by interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.
Clinical Psychology: Diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders.
Cognitive Revolution: Shift (1950s-1960s) to studying mental processes.
Eclectic Approach: Integrating multiple theories to understand behavior.
Empirical Method: Knowledge acquired through observation and experimentation.
Evolutionary Perspective: Behaviors as products of adaptation through natural selection.
Functionalism: Study of how mental activities aid environmental adaptation.
Humanism: Emphasizes inherent good potential in all humans.
Multicultural psychologists: Develop theories and research with diverse populations within one country.
Psychiatrist: Medical doctor specializing in mental health, can prescribe medication.
Psychoanalysis: Freud's talk therapy, conscious-unconscious interaction, past experiences.
Psychodynamic Perspective: Unconscious and childhood experiences shape conscious behavior.
Psychology: Scientific study of mind and behavior.
PsyD: Doctorate focused on clinical application.
Social Psychology: Study of how others influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Sociocultural Perspective: Emphasizes environmental influence on behaviors.
Structuralism: Understanding conscious experience via introspection.

Domains and Perspectives: The five domains provide a framework for research; early perspectives (structuralism, functionalism, psychodynamic, behaviorism, Gestalt) laid the foundation for diverse modern approaches.
Cognitive Revolution: Re-established mental processes as central to behavior.
Biopsychosocial Model: Integrates biological, psychological, and social factors for health and behavior.
Eclectic Approaches: Combine multiple perspectives for complex problems.
Career Paths: Advanced degrees (PhD for research/academia, PsyD for clinical) are common, but master’s offer nonacademic roles.

Domains: $1$ (Biological), $2$ (Cognitive), $3$ (Developmental), $4$ (Social/Personality), $5$ (Mental/Physical).
Key Timeframes: late $19^{ ext{th}}$ to early $20^{ ext{th}}$ century, $1950$ s- $1960$ s.