PSYCHOLOGY Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY PowerPoint Image Slideshow
Psychology What is it? The SCIENTIFIC study of the mind and behavior What do you mean Scientific? We develop Theories, which are broad explanations of some aspect of the natural world supported by evidence over time We start with Hypotheses, which are tentative explanations Based on Empiricism, by which we mean observations Why study psychology? Helps us understand ourselves and others, & improve critical thinking Psychology gets started in the late 1880s Wilhelm Wundt gets the ball rolling with the 1st lab Used Introspection to observe one s own conscious experiences These processes ultimately end up being named Structuralism Despite carefully training his researchers, the process is still subjective William James: consciousness is an ever changing stream, and cannot be broken down into it s structural parts Major focus here on the way the mind functions, and how behavior functions to allow us to adapt. Names his approach Functionalism.
(a) Wilhelm Wundt is credited as one of the first psychologist. He created the first laboratory for psychological research. (b) This photo shows him seated and surrounded by fellow researchers and equipment in his laboratory in Germany. William James, shown here in a self-portrait, was the first American psychologist.
May we have some more history please? Sigmund Freud has some different ideas Psychoanalytic theory focuses on the unconscious mind and childhood experiences Uses free association (1 st thing that comes to mind), dream analysis and slips of the tongue (Freudian slips) Wertheimer & Gestalt Psychology The whole is greater than the sum of the parts Along came the Behaviorists in the early 1900s Pavlov & Watson & Skinner argue that we need to get back to studying observable behavior, not mental stuff. The environment determines our observable behavior, which is all based on learning processes
FIGURE 1.6 John B. Watson is known as the father of behaviorism within psychology. (a) Sigmund Freud was a highly influential figure in the history of psychology. (b) One of his many books, A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis, shared his ideas about psychoanalytical therapy; it was published in 1922.
Any more history we should be aware of? Maslow & Rogers promote Humanism. Humans have free will, self concepts and choice. We are fundamentally positive, and striving for self actualization Miller & Chomsky usher in the Cognitive Revolution A renewed emphasis on studying mental processes that underlie behavior, in cooperation with linguistics, neuroscience and computer science Multicultural Psychology? We ve been ignoring Hispanic Americans and African Americans? Yup. Feminist Psychology? Women deserve equal consideration too? Yup! The era of white male academics dominating the field gradually begins to come to a close. Okay enough with the history. Let s see some portraits and photos and illustrations.
FIGURE 1.8 Maslow s hierarchy of needs is shown. At the base are survival needs which must be met before we move up to pursuing more esoteric needs.
Carl Rogers, shown in this portrait, developed a clientcentered therapy method that has been influential in clinical settings. (credit: "Didius"/Wikimedia Commons) FIGURE 1.9
FIGURE 1.10 Noam Chomsky was very influential in beginning the cognitive revolution. In 2010, this mural honoring him was put up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (credit: Robert Moran)
What are the current perspectives in psychology? 1. Biopsychology How is the structure & function of the nervous system related to behavior? 2. Evolutionary psychology How do genes influence traits and characteristics, and help us adapt? 3. Sensation and Perception Our experience of the world begins here. Study attention & experience too. 4. Cognitive Psychology Focus on mental processes like thinking, memory, problem solving, etc. 5. Developmental Psychology How do we change physically, socially, emotionally & cognitively over time 6. Personality Psychology Identify and quantify traits (she s charming), and note how personality develops and changes. We might use the Five Factor model to help us. 7. Social Psychology How do we interact with and relate to others? Attraction? Prejudice?
Any other current perspectives? You betcha! 8. Industrial Organizational Psychology Let s study behavior in the workplace. Management? Hiring? Burn out? 9. Health Psychology The intersection of biology, psychology & sociocultural factors in health 10 Sport & Exercise Psychology Motivation, emotions, and discipline interact to influence performance 11 Clinical Psychology Here we focus on diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders, as well as evaluating psychotherapy and psychological health / well being 12 Forensic Psychology Legal issues like competency, jury selection, witness prep, etc. Let s change the subject... What can I do with a degree in Psychology? We could check with Jon Stewart, Natalie Portman, or Mark Zuckerberg
Lots of degree choices! With a Bachelor s Degree: typical occupations include management positions, sales, customer service, marketing, and human resources With a Master s Degree I can teach, become a licensed counselor, or work as a consultant. With a Ph.D. I may do research, become a professor, or do clinical work as a licensed psychologist either privately or in a behavioral health setting. This is a research based degree, so I must do a dissertation. With a Psy.D. I can become a licensed psychologist and will most likely pursue a career doing clinical work. With more ambition, money and time I could do post doc specialty training, or get my M.D. and become a psychiatrist (allows me to prescribe drugs).
Doctoral degrees are generally conferred in formal ceremonies involving special attire and rites. (credit: Public Affairs Office Fort Wainwright) This OpenStax ancillary resource is Rice University under a CC-BY 4.0 International license; it has been reproduced & modified, but must be attributed to OpenStax, Rice University and any changes were carried out by Neil Walker