PSYCHOLOGY UNIT ONE - Wikispaceschairo-pakenham.wikispaces.com/file/view/Unit+One+Psychology... · UNIT ONE PSYCHOLOGY INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY? Psychology can

PSYCHOLOGYUNIT ONE

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

UNIT ONE PSYCHOLOGY


WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?Psychology can be described as the “study of behavior

and mental processes”.

To do this we must use a methodical and systematic approach to explore not just how people think, but why

they think that way.

Psychology allows us to manipulate our environment through conducting experiments to learn more about

humans and their interactions, dreams, desires and behaviors.

UNIT ONE PSYCHOLOGY


WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?

There are quite a few terms that we must know before we start the study of Psychology. These are:

Behaviour: Overt and Covert

Cognition

Emotion

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BEHAVIOUR

Behaviour refers to every action that a person engages in. These actions are either Overt or Covert.

Overt behaviours are actions that everone can see.

Covert Behaviours are those actions which are conducted internally (such as thinking about clothes to

wear etc.)

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WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?

Cognition is the process of mentally thinking or processing

Emotion is the physiological experience or feeling.

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WHAT HAS PSYCHOLOGY TAUGHT US?

You may of heard the myth that we only use 10% of our brain’s capacity-that is a load of garbage! We use the full 100% of our brains, just not necessarily in the way we think. Psych is used in heaps of different areas; such as

sports and marketing.

In fact, Psychology is seen an essential study for todays “fast paced” and over hyped society.

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PSYCHOLOGY AS A PROFESSION

Psychology focuses on behaviour and mental processes. This makes psych essentially a subject that focuses on

studying YOU.

Psychologists are highly trained professionals who specialise in creating, teaching and applying

psychological knowledge.

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PSYCHOLOGY AS A PROFESSIONIn order to provide answers to questions about human

behavior, they gather scientific data to describe, understand, predict and CONTROL behaviour.

To be a Psychologist, you must be admited to the Australian Psychological Society. The APS is a

professional association for Australian psychologists that was formed in 1966, and currently represents in excess of

17500 members. It seeks to represent, promote and advance psychology by enhancing community wellbeing

and scientific knowledge.

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TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGISTSType: Forensic psychologist

Role: To work with offenders and victims of crimes to help them confront and deal with issues surrounding the crime.

Forensic psychologists can also be foundin the legal system helping to prepare witnesses and police

officers for stressful situations.

Contribution: Forensic psychologists may help police officers establish a typical profile for a wanted criminal.

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TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGISTS

Type: Educational psychologist

Role: To work with individuals in an academic setting to help with learning needs and academic skills

Contribution: Educational psychologists may be involved in meeting with a troubled student to help compose learning

strategies to best suit their learning style.

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Type: Neuropsychologist

Role: To diagnose and treat problems associated with the brain and nervous system

Contribution: Neuropsychologists may help someone recovering from brain damage to best use their speech

abilities.

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Type: Sports psychologist

Role: To work with coaches and athletes to assist in achieving optimal results for training, competition and

recovery

Contribution: Sports psychologists may help a cross-country team to mentally prepare for an upcoming meet by

providing strategies on how to pace themselves and to run their own race instead of worrying about the competition.

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Type: Organisational psychologist

Role: To look at ways to best use workplaces in terms of team dynamics, communication, work output and

performance

Contribution: Organisational psychologists may meet with members of an accounting firm to help them set goals for

the new taxation year.

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PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY

Just to dispel a lot of myths surrounding Psychologists; we don’t sit in a chair with our patient on a long couch,

not all of us wear sweaters, have glasses or a beard.

Psychologist’s are generally an active, corporate members of the work-force. We gain more appropriate information

from actually being present in social situations.

(Mind you some Psychologists do fit the old mold)

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The main distinction that you have between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist is the fact one has a PhD

in medicine and is a medical doctor, the other is not. Psychologists and Psychiatrists operate in the field of

Psychology in totally different ways.

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Psychologists cannot prescribe medicine. Instead the choose to approach a situation by looking at behavioural issues. If a patient is admitted to a psychiatrist, they can

look at the behavioral issues, but will also be able to prescribe medicine to reduce any symptoms they may

feel/present.

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WHERE DID PSYCHOLOGY BEGIN?

Psychology is thought to of started as disciple in the 19th century, but it is generally believed that the issue of “thinking about thinking” began as early as the 16th

century. This can be seen in the writing of the famous philosopher Rene Descartes. We are going to have a look at some famous “Psychological thinkers who think about

thought” through the next few slides.

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RENE DESCARTES (1596-1650)

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RENE DESCARTES (1596-1650)

René Descartes was born on 31 March 1596 in the town of La Haye in the southof France. He was the son of Joachim Descartes, a councillor in parliament and an intellectual who was determined to provide a sound learning environment for his son.Descartes is well known in the science and mathematics worlds for the work that he did in the fields of geometry and algebra. However, many believe that his most important works were his philosophical writings. In the process of trying to discover what, if anything, could be said to exist with certainty, Descartes came to the conclusion that the only thing that he could be sure of was that he existed as a thinking thing. It is from this idea that Descartes’ most famous line, ‘I think, therefore I am’ was born. It is in this statement that we see early evidence of the beginnings of cognitive psychology. The fact that Descartes believed the nature of thought itself is the basis upon which existence can be guaranteed was used as the starting point of many questions regarding human thought.

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WILLIAM JAMES (1842-1910)

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WILLIAM JAMES (1842-1910)

William James was an American scholar, who during his long academic career taught anatomy, physiology, psychology and philosophy at Harvard University in the United States of America. James was the first to offer a course in psychology at an American university. Throughout his career, James broadened the study of psychology to include animal behaviour, religious experience, abnormal behaviour and, most importantly, his views on human consciousness.

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James regarded consciousness as an ever changing stream or flow of images and sensations. He declared that thoughts were not isolated and stagnant, but instead one thought would flow into another and they would constantly move and intertwine with others along the way. Try this for yourself. Look at the wall ahead of you and start with a single thought, such as ‘What would I like for dinner?’ or ‘What is my favourite movie?’ Pay attention to your thoughts as they spring to mind. In fact you probably won’t be able to finish one thought before another begins.James was also influential to the field of psychology through the publication of his first book, Principles of psychology (1890). This book helped establish psychology as a serious discipline (Simon, 1998).

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IMMANUEL KANT (1724-1804)

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IMMANUEL KANT (1724-1804)One of the greatest difficulties with theorising about human consciousness is that it is unable to be physically seen or measured. For many years philosophical debate concerning the nature of reality focused on two opposing ideas. Realists believed that the physical world was all that existed and that reality lay in our direct perception of that physical world. This being the case, phenomena such as human consciousness and emotions were not worthy of consideration. Many realists believed that if it could not be physically measured then it did not exist at all. In opposition to realists’ claims, idealists believed that only mental entities are real. They believed that physical things only exist in the sense that they are perceived.Immanuel Kant influenced psychology by accounting for differences in individuals’ perceptions of the world.

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In an attempt to solve this dispute, Immanuel Kant found the middle ground between realism and idealism. Kant’s theory, which he called ‘transcendental idealism’, stated that there is indeed a real physical world, but humans, being imperfect creatures, may never be able to fully perceive the actual nature of this world. In constructing this theory, Kant enabled modern psychologists to account for the differences often found between two people’s perceptions of the world. He also provided empirically minded scientists with an intellectual platform that challenged them to continually strive to find more thorough explanations for everything that we experience in life.

Kant’s theories were very influential on psychology as they led the way for things such as memory and thought to be measured even though they could not be seen. Now all that was left to do, for psychology to be considered a serious discipline, was to try to start measuring them.

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WHERE DID PSYCHOLOGY BEGIN?WILHELM HUNDT (1832-1920)

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WILHELM HUNDT (1832-1920)

For psychology to be considered a scientific study there needed to be empirical evidence. Empirical evidence is that gathered through the use of experimentation and direct observation and measurement. In 1879 in Leipzig, Germany, Wilhelm Wundt set up the first psychological laboratory to study conscious experience. It is because of this contribution that Wundt is often referred to as the ‘father of psychology’.

He wanted to examine how sensations, images and feelings were formed. To find out, Wundt observed and measured stimuli such as lights, sounds and weights. A stimulus is any physical energy that affects an organism and that evokes a response. Over the years, Wundt studied vision, hearing, taste, touch, memory, time perception and many other aspects of consciousness. Wundt insisted on precise observation and measurement, which helped to provide psychology with a strong scientific foundation. He is credited with making psychology an independent science, separate from philosophy.

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WHERE DID PSYCHOLOGY BEGIN?HERMAN EBBINGHAUS (1850-1909)

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WHERE DID PSYCHOLOGY BEGIN?HERMAN EBBINGHAUS (1850-1909)

Another significant researcher at this time was Hermann Ebbinghaus, who conducted groundbreaking research into memory and the cognitive processes of remembering and forgetting. As a result, Ebbinghaus established several important principles of memory. His research involved presenting himself with a series of lists and testing his recall of these at various time intervals after learning.

One of his most famous principles, often referred to as the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve (see Figure 2.15), demonstrated that most forgetting occurs within the first few hours of something being learned. He also found that meaningful information was easier to memorise. Ebbinghaus’ main aim was to show that human memorywas measurable and that its principles could be described with considerable accuracy.Modern-day research has built on this work and much detailed information has been found on the workings of human memory systems. As a result of Ebbinghaus’ work we also know much about how to improve memory capacity and slow its decline.

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PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESPECTIVESPsychology has gone through many different eras of

thought. Its early beginnings revolved around structuralism. This area was concerned with analysing a person’s private experiences. Wundt (see previous slides) used introspection (the process of examining ones own

thoughts:also known today as “looking inward”) to probe his own reactions to various stimuli.

There are problems associated with this area, as how can you truly know/compare your own thoughts??

Remember, Psych is a science!

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PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESPECTIVES

So, what type of perspectives give us a more detailed look at our own ways of thinking? We will look at four perspectives that provide us with the most “rounded”

examination.

1). Biological2). Cognitive

3). Behavioural4). Socio-Cultural Perspective

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BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

The biological perspective of psychology is one that uses principles of biology and evidence from the body to

study material. The BP is generally practiced by those with a background of physiology. It helps with the

understanding of how the brain interacts with human emotion and behaviour.

The BP therefore considers how the physical structures, such as the brain and nervous system, affect human

behaviour.

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BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVEWilliam James, being a keen psychologist using this

perspective, reiterates the necessity for people studying psychology to have an understanding of biology.

He stated that “bodily experiences, including brain-experiences, must take a place among conditions of

mental life.”

The BP looks at anatomical evidence to construct hypotheses about human behaviour. A direct way of

doing this is by ‘probing’ the brain itself.

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BRAIN “PROBE” ELECTRICAL STIMULATION

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BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVEBRAIN “PROBE” ELECTRICAL STIMULATION

ESB involves connecting a probe that emits a small electrical current a specific are of the cerebral cortex. When this area is stimulated, specialists can then see

what behaviour results.

When specific areas are stimulated specific reactions occur or it may prevent/inhibit a response.

All functions of the body are controlled by the brain, therefore, they can all be stimulated.

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For ESB to work, patients must be awake. This makes it a very interesting procedure. As scientists are interested in

seeing what areas of the brain do what, it is usually referred to as “mapping of the brain”.

Just so you know, this is a painless procedure as the surface o the brain has no pain receptors (although, the

scull does so a general anesthetic is administered).

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There is a need for every brain to be mapped if undergoing specific surgery (like for epilepsy or

schizophrenia) as no two brains are identical. This only proves more of how important the brain is in the

sciences.

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There is a need for every brain to be mapped if undergoing specific surgery (like for epilepsy or

schizophrenia) as no two brains are identical. This only proves more of how important the brain is in the

sciences.

The BP is also needed for seeing how symptomatic illness can result from psychological activity (stress, anxiety etc)

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COGNITIVE PERSPECTIVE

The CP is interested in investigating internal mental processes, thoughts and memories. Human memory is an

incredible puzzle and it still holds many mysteries for cognitive psychologists. This area can be studied through

various scientific research methods. Most involve researching techniques to improve ability. One such

experiment is called “narrative chaining”.

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COGNITIVE PERSPECTIVE

NARRATIVE CHAINING

NC can be very useful in improving the number of words or items that can be recalled. Such narrative chaining

techniques include placing personal information with the item, placing the information in a funny acronym, poem

or song, or even putting it into a story.

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BEHAVIOURAL PERSPECTIVE

The BEP seeks to explain human behaviour through studying observable actions and examining how they are

formed, shaped and changed.

American behaviourist John B. Watson is a prominent Psychologist in this area.

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JOHN B. WATSON (1878-1958)

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John Waston, best known for his address at the Columbia University titled, “Psychology as the

Behaviourist views it”, contended the value of the Introspection view by examining that he could study the psyche of animals, even though he was unable to speak to

them.

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Watson is best (or in some cases worst) known for his “Little Albert” experiment. During the experiment he would present a white rabbit in front of Albert, then clang a metal rod to scare the child. After doing this numerous times, he eventually go to the stage where Albert felt fear without the rod, and with a white rat

instead of a rabbit.

(This is also known as associative memory).

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BEHAVIOURAL PERSPECTIVE

Human behaviour can be seen in every setting and those who view psychology through the behavioural

perspective do not have to look hard to find research adn evidence to explain it. Everyday occurrences

demonstrate the behaviourists view, and as such experiments in this area are common place.

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SOCIO-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE

The SCP seeks to investigate how an individuals behaviour is influenced by others. An example of this is

seen in the Corey Worthington party.

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THE COREY WORTHINGTON SAGA

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THE COREY WORTHINGTON SAGA

In 2009, Corey had a party in an otherwise uninteresting, common street in Narre Warren. This party was attended

by some 200 youths. As the party wore on, the youths turned violent and otherwise anti-social.

In their everyday lives, most of the people attending the party were normal teenagers, but due to social pressure

and a “mob” mentality, their behaviour had changed.

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Other popular examples for evidence from a “socio-cultural perspective” include cults. A cult refers to a

group of people that express devotion a person, idea or object.

Being immersed in a group like this, lead people to lose their sense of identity, and judgement becomes

something that is no longer dictated by the self, but rather through the group.

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A more common example of the socio-cultural perspective is looking around at your peer group. Your peers group is made up of people that are around the

same age as you and like to do similar things.

Because of this, you can find that if something new is done by one member, other members seem to follow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO8MwBZl-Vc



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The SCP is also important when looking at how psychology is used in Marketing. Its very important in marketing, that the person, group or “thing” that tells people to buy your product is important, attractive,

intelligent, influential etc.

As such, if trying to convey a message, it is always important that the message is delivered by someone who

meets the above criteria (the more the better).

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Changing the social or cultural context of what is acceptable behaviour is difficult. However, the SCP

endeavours to investigate and change behaviour through looking at the effect that others have on an individual.

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HOW DO WE RESEARCH PSYCHOLOGY?

Every field/area and perspective of psych shares a common goal; to study, predict and explain human

behaviour.

An early form used to do this was through a technique called phrenology.

Phrenology involved feeling bumps on a person’s skull to assess their personality. Obviously there is absolutely no

scientific merit to this method.

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Techniques that seek to explain human behaviour but lack scientific merrit are called pseudoscience (also

known as a fake science).

Astrology is a pseudoscience, it uses the Barnum effect (the tendancy to consider personal descriptions to be

accurate if they are stated in general terms.

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A great deal of research that is undertaken in Psychology involves the usage of “subjective data”. Subjective data is collected through observations and participants in self-

reports.

A sample of this sort of research would involve observing various real world observations with a control to gain

statistical data.

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A more precise way to measure human behaviour is by collecting objective data. Objective data is that which

can be directly observed or measured. For instance, you can use a control and then count the amount of times

something occurs.

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All research methods, no matter how scientific, are subject to a range of limitations that can bring the

validity of the findings of the study into question. For instance, ethics comes into play, which may prevent

“actual” unhindered results.

UNIT ONE PSYCHOLOGY


ANY QUESTIONS?

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PSYCHOLOGY UNIT ONE - Wikispaceschairo-pakenham.wikispaces.com/file/view/Unit+One+Psychology... · UNIT ONE PSYCHOLOGY INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY? Psychology can