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Learning Outcomes

• Define Psychology

  • Psychology: the scientific investigation of mental processes (thinking, remembering, feeling) and behaviour. Integrates individual biology, psychological experience, and cultural context.

• Contributions of Biopsychology and Sociocultural Perspective

  • Biopsychology

    • Examines physical basis of psychological phenomena such as motivation, emotion, and stress.

  • Sociocultural Perspective

    • Highlights social interaction and cultural determinants affecting behaviour and mental processes.

    • Cultural and cross-cultural psychologists study the influence of cultural contexts.

• Outline the History of Psychology

  • Philosophical roots influence psychological questions.

    • Key issues include:

      • Free will vs. determinism: Are we freely choosing our actions?

      • Mind-body problem: How do mental and physical events interact?

  • Psychology shifted from philosophical speculation to scientific investigation in the late 19th century.

    • Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychological laboratory in 1879.

    • Key schools of thought: Structuralism (Edward Titchener) aimed to uncover consciousness elements through introspection; Functionalism (William James) explained processes concerning adaptation.

• Major Theoretical Perspectives in Psychology

  • Psychodynamic Perspective

    • Focus on unconscious motives and early experiences.

    • Uses case studies and aims to interpret underlying motives.

  • Behaviourist Perspective

    • Relationship between environmental stimuli and observable behaviours.

    • Emphasizes learning via reinforcement and punishment (B.F. Skinner).

  • Humanistic Perspective

    • Focus on individual uniqueness and self-actualization (Maslow, Rogers).

    • Emphasizes person-centered therapy to fulfill potential.

  • Cognitive Perspective

    • Studies perception, processing and retrieval of information.

    • Employs computer metaphor for understanding mind processes.

  • Evolutionary Perspective

    • Examines how behavioural tendencies evolved for survival (Darwin).

    • Uses methods based on deductive reasoning and comparisons across species.

• Educational Requirements for Psychologists and Work Settings

  • Australia: Minimum six years study in an accredited program to register. Possible pathways include 5+1 (5 years study + 1 internship) or postgraduate degrees.

  • New Zealand: Requires registration with NZ Psychologists Board, including a Master's in Psychology and clinical experience.

  • Professional associations: Australian Psychological Society (APS) and New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPSS).

  • Employment: Various careers in health services, education, community organizations, private practice. Strong demand and diverse opportunities exist.

Key Terms

• Biopsychology: Study of biological bases of psychology (neuroscience).

• Behaviourism: Focus on observable behaviours and environmental influences.

• Psychodynamic Perspective: Emphasizes unconscious processes.

• Cognitive Perspective: Investigates mental processes (memory, perception).

• Humanistic Perspective: Stresses personal growth and self-actualization.

• Evolutionary Perspective: Views behaviours as adaptations for survival.

• Sociocultural Perspective: Examines how culture impacts behaviour.

Summary of Major Perspectives

• Psychodynamic: Unconscious motives, early experiences.

• Behaviourist: Learning via environmental effects.

• Humanistic: Individual potential and self-actualization.

• Cognitive: Information processing as mental software.

• Evolutionary: Adaptive behaviours shaped by natural selection.

• Biopsychosocial model: Integration of biological, psychological, and social influences on behaviour.

Learning Outcomes

Define Psychology

Psychology is defined as the scientific investigation of mental processes, including thinking, remembering, and feeling, as well as observable behavior. It integrates various aspects such as individual biology, psychological experience, and the cultural context that influences mental functions and actions. Understanding psychology requires a holistic approach that considers how biological, cognitive, and socio-cultural factors interact to shape human behavior.

Contributions of Biopsychology and Sociocultural Perspective

Biopsychology

Biopsychology, often referred to as neuroscience, examines the physical basis of psychological phenomena such as motivation, emotion, stress, and mental disorders. It investigates how brain structures, neurochemicals, and genetics affect thoughts and behaviors. This branch of psychology provides insights into how physiological processes influence psychological experiences and explores the biological mechanisms that underlie mental health and illness.

Sociocultural Perspective

The sociocultural perspective highlights the role of social interactions and cultural determinants in shaping behavior and mental processes. It encompasses the study of cultural norms, values, and contexts that affect psychological functioning. Cultural psychologists and cross-cultural psychologists examine how cultural variables influence perceptions, emotions, and behaviors, thus emphasizing the diversity of human experiences across different populations.

Outline the History of Psychology

Psychology has a rich history influenced by philosophical roots that date back thousands of years. Key philosophical inquiries include:

• Free will vs. determinism: Investigating whether individuals have the autonomy to choose their actions or if behaviors are predetermined by biology and environment.

• Mind-body problem: Exploring how mental events and physical states interact, questioning the relationship between consciousness and the brain.

In the late 19th century, psychology transitioned from speculative philosophy to a rigorous scientific discipline. Wilhelm Wundt is credited with establishing the first psychological laboratory in Leipzig, Germany in 1879, which marked the formal beginning of psychology as a science. Subsequent key schools of thought include:

• Structuralism (Edward Titchener): Aimed to uncover the components of conscious experience through introspection, seeking to break down mental processes into their most basic elements.

• Functionalism (William James): Emphasized understanding the purpose of mental processes and behaviors in terms of adaptation and survival.

Major Theoretical Perspectives in Psychology

Psychodynamic Perspective

The psychodynamic perspective focuses on unconscious motives, conflicts, and early childhood experiences that shape personality and behavior. It employs case studies and therapeutic techniques to interpret underlying motives and often examines how unresolved conflicts influence current behavior.

Behaviourist Perspective

The behaviorist perspective analyzes the relationship between environmental stimuli and observable behaviors. This approach emphasizes the concept of learning through reinforcement and punishment, as posited by behavioral theorists such as B.F. Skinner. It focuses on measurable behavior rather than internal mental states.

Humanistic Perspective

The humanistic perspective emphasizes individual uniqueness, personal growth, and self-actualization, highlighting the importance of subjective experience. Key figures include Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, who advocated person-centered therapy approaches aimed at fostering individual potential and self-development.

Cognitive Perspective

The cognitive perspective studies mental processes such as perception, attention, memory, and information processing. It employs models and metaphors, often likening the mind to a computer, to understand how people encode, process, and retrieve information. This perspective has significantly advanced our understanding of cognitive functions and the effects of cognitive biases on behavior.

Evolutionary Perspective

The evolutionary perspective examines how behavioral tendencies have evolved as adaptations to ensure survival. Influenced by Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection, this perspective utilizes methods of deductive reasoning and comparative analysis across species to understand behavioral evolution.

Educational Requirements for Psychologists and Work Settings

In Australia, to register as a psychologist, a minimum of six years of study in an accredited program is required. Common pathways include the 5+1 internship model (5 years of study followed by a 1-year internship) or obtaining postgraduate degrees, such as a Master's or Doctorate in Psychology. In New Zealand, registration with the NZ Psychologists Board is mandatory, requiring at least a Master’s in Psychology along with clinical experience.

Professional associations such as the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPSS) provide resources, support, and recognition for registered psychologists. Employment opportunities are diverse, spanning health services, educational institutions, community organizations, and private practice. There is a strong demand for psychologists, leading to a variety of career paths in clinical settings, research, and academia.

Key Terms

• Biopsychology: The scientific study of biological bases for psychology, often intertwined with neuroscience principles.

• Behaviourism: A psychological perspective that emphasizes observable behaviors and external environmental influences rather than internal mental processes.

• Psychodynamic Perspective: A viewpoint that focuses on the influence of the unconscious mind and early experiences on behavior and personality.

• Cognitive Perspective: A branch of psychology that investigates mental processes such as memory, perception, and decision-making.

• Humanistic Perspective: A psychological approach that emphasizes human potential and the drive towards self-actualization and personal growth.

• Evolutionary Perspective: A theoretical approach that considers the evolutionary origins of behaviors and mental processes as adaptations for survival.

• Sociocultural Perspective: A perspective that examines how cultural and social contexts influence behavior and mental processes.

Summary of Major Perspectives

• Psychodynamic: Emphasizes unconscious motives and the impact of early experiences on behavior.

• Behaviourist: Focuses on the role of environmental factors in learning behaviors.

• Humanistic: Concentrates on personal growth, self-actualization, and fulfilling one’s potential.

• Cognitive: Investigates the intricacies of information processing as the basis of mental functions.

• Evolutionary: Examines behaviors as adaptations shaped by the pressures of natural selection.

• Biopsychosocial model: Integrates biological, psychological, and social influences to understand behavior comprehensively.