Chapter 1 Lecture (1)

Introduction to Psychological Science

• Course Date: August 28th, 2024

• Location: AH 102

• Instructor: Molly Zackrison

• Contact: molly.zackrison@mnsu.edu, molly.zackrison.2@mnsu.edu

Today's Agenda

• Syllabus Review

  • Discuss and answer questions

  • Office hours and contact information

  • Overview of D2L, SONA systems & Campus Resources

• Chapter 1 Lecture

• Class Activity

Discussion Topics

• Major topics psychology will address in the coming years

• Future perspectives on psychology

• Personal interests in human behavior

Chapter 1: Introduction to Psychology

What is Psychology?

• Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior.

• Origins of the term:

  • Psych – Soul or mind

  • Ology – Scientific study

• Emphasis on empirical data and scientific method in psychological science.

The Scientific Method

• Empirical approach based on observation and experimentation.

• Aims to acquire knowledge about the human experience.

• Hypothesis: Tentative explanation created within a scientific theory, consistently supported by evidence.

• Validity is determined through measurable observations and experiments.

The History of Psychology: Psychological Perspectives

Key Approaches

• Structuralism

  • Understanding conscious experience through introspection.

  • Wilhelm Wundt

• Functionalism

  • How mental activities assist adaptation to the environment.

  • William James

• Psychoanalytic Theory

  • Role of the unconscious in conscious behavior.

  • Sigmund Freud

• Gestalt Psychology

  • Focus on the whole rather than individual parts.

  • Wertheimer, Koffka, Kohler

• Behaviorism

  • Observing and controlling behavior.

  • Pavlov, Watson, Skinner

• Humanism

  • Emphasizes innate human goodness and potential.

  • Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers

Wilhelm Wundt and Structuralism

• German scientist and one of the founders of psychology.

• Established the first laboratory for psychological research and was referred to as the first psychologist.

• Focused on the scientific study of conscious experience, using introspection to analyze components of consciousness.

William James and Functionalism

• First American psychologist and proponent of functional psychology.

• Influenced by Darwin’s theory of evolution; psychology's purpose was to understand how behaviors help adaptation and survival.

• Emphasized the whole mind over individual parts.

Sigmund Freud and Psychoanalytic Theory

• Austrian neurologist; a prominent figure in psychology.

• Explored hysteria and neurosis, theorizing that problems arise from the unconscious mind.

• Suggested accessing the unconscious through dreams, free association, and slips of the tongue.

• Focused on unconscious influences and early childhood experiences.

Gestalt Psychology

• Introduced by Wertheimer, Koffka, and Köhler.

• Emphasizes the whole as greater than the sum of its parts.

• Important foundation for later humanistic theories.

Ivan Pavlov and Behaviorism

• Russian physiologist; pioneer of classical conditioning.

• Studied conditioned reflexes, demonstrating that animals produce unconscious responses to stimuli.

• Pavlov's Dogs: Conditioned dogs to salivate in response to a bell associated with food.

John B. Watson and Behaviorism

• American psychologist; regarded as the father of behaviorism.

• Believed in the impossibility of studying consciousness, advocating for behavior observation.

• Focused on learned behaviors and their interactions with innate qualities.

B.F. Skinner and Behaviorism

• American psychologist focused on reinforcement and punishment's effects on behavior.

• Developed the Skinner Box to study operant conditioning and behavior modification.

Abraham Maslow and Humanism

• Highlighted the innate goodness in humans.

• Proposed a hierarchy of human needs that motivates behavior once basic needs are met.

Carl Rogers and Humanism

• Emphasized human potential and developed client-centered therapy.

• Advocated for therapist characteristics: unconditional positive regard, genuineness, and empathy.

Review Topics

• Definition of Psychology

• Emphasis on Scientific Method and Empiricism

• Historical Psychological Perspectives:

  • Structuralism, Functionalism, Psychoanalytic Theory, Gestalt Psychology, Behaviorism, Humanism.

Contemporary Branches of Psychology

• Biopsychology and Evolutionary Psychology

  • Study of biological influences and evolutionary context of behavior.

• Sensation and Perception

  • Analysis of sensory systems and their impact on experiences.

• Cognitive Psychology

  • Understanding thought processes and mental activities.

• Developmental Psychology

  • Learning about growth and changes over a lifespan.

• Personality Psychology

  • Exploration of individuality and personality traits (e.g., the Big Five model).

• Social Psychology

  • Relational dynamics, interpersonal conflicts, and social behaviors.

• Industrial-Organizational Psychology

  • Applying psychology in workplace settings for performance and efficiency.

• Health Psychology

  • Interplaying biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors affecting health.

• Sports and Exercise Psychology

  • Addressing mental aspects of physical performance.

• Clinical Psychology

  • Diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders; focuses on coping mechanisms and supportive therapies.

• Forensic Psychology

  • Interface of psychology and the legal system, assessing competencies and providing expert insights.

Careers in Psychology

• Most positions require a PhD/PsyD or Master's degree.

• Career options include:

  • Teaching

  • Research

  • Clinical Psychology

  • Counseling Psychology

  • Social Work

  • Corporate and Marketing positions

  • School Psychology

Activity Reflection

• Critical Thinking: Reasoning for psychology courses as requirements in various programs.

• Personal Application: Individual motivations for enrolling and desired learning outcomes for the semester.