What is Psychology?

Psychology:(a) individual human behavior,

(b) the human mind (i.e., thoughts)

(c) human emotions (i.e., feelings).

AW’s Definition of Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of individual human behavior.

Thinking and ActingPsychology has two major

components:– Behavior

• Voluntary and Involuntary

– Cognitive Processes• thoughts, dreams, perceptions,

emotions and memories. Also “subconscious” thoughts and motivations

• emotion is a central aspect of human psychology.

Overview of Psychology:

Why did (I) you do that?

Can I predict what

you will do?

What is normal behavior?

What causes abnormal behavior?

Can it be fixed?

What are the Goals of Psychology?Describe:

– How do people think, feel, and act in various situations?

Predict:– Based on previous psychological knowledge, how

will people act and behave? What will they do?

Understand or Explain:– Why did this behavior occur? Which factors

influenced this outcome?

Change, Modify, or Influence:– What can we do to change or modify this behavior?

Is Psychology a Science?Modern psychologist try to base their findings

and conclusions on the scientific method,

but cannot predict human behavior with

scientific precision.

We confirm or disconfirm a hypothesis.

Psychology is one of the social sciences.

Psychologists use research methods.

Historical BackgroundNativist (nature) vs

Empiricist (nuture)

Are a person’s characteristics mostly

inborn or learned?

TrephinationPeter Halvorson's

Are you troubled by the pressures and demandsof our complex society?

Did you know that ancient man had the answers to

these problems?Peace and happiness can

be yours.

"Perfect Peace" TREPAN

Peter Halvorson

Ka could be thought by the ancient Egyptians to designate individual human traits such as character, nature,

temperament or disposition.

The ka as a spiritual double was born with every man and lived on after he died as long as it had a place to live. The ka lived within the body of the individual and therefore needed that body after death. This is why the Egyptians mummified their dead. If the body decomposed, their spiritual double would die and the deceased would lose their chance for eternal life. An Egyptian euphemism for death was "going to one's ka". After death the ka became supreme. Kings thus claimed to have multiple kas.

Rameses II announced that he had over 20. (Multiple Personality Disorder?)

Ba (earthly soul/personality)

Ka (life force)

Historical BackgroundPlato – (427-347)

– Plato was interested in moral philosophy and despised natural philosophy (that is, science) as an inferior and unworthy sort of knowledge.

– Believed we are born with a mind that has complete knowledge within our soul.

– Learning – a process of inner reflection to discover the knowledge within us. (Introspection

Phrenology Franz Joseph Gall was born in Baden, Germany, on March 9, 1758. He became a well known neuroanatomist and

physiologist. He was one of the first to study the localization of mental functions in the brain.

Structuralism (1880s): Wilhelm WundtFirst Scientific Method Experiment in Psychology

One of the earliest approaches to the field of psychology was called “structuralismstructuralism.”

StructuralismStructuralism assumed that “the human mind is comprised of conscious experiences that can

be known through introspection.”What are the various aspects of the human mind?

METHODSMETHODS: use of highly trained introspectionists.

The History of Psychology-Functionalism (1880s):

Functionalism: William James (1842 - 1910):– Rebelled against Structuralists.

– Influenced by Darwin.

Functionalists argue that the importance of human mind is how it aids human survival.

– The emphasis was on the “function of thought.”• Thinking improves our ability to find food and protection.

– School of Functionalism:• Psychology should be helping us to understand how the

mind helps humans adapt to the environment. WHY?

Method: introspection and occasional use of behavioral observation.

Gestalt Psychology: 1920sMax Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka and Wolfgang Kohler.

Emphasizes perceptual organization of form and configuration in mind.

How and why do we focus on certain things?

How does mind make sense of the world?

Method: Observation

We both see a snake. Why are some

frightened & others awed? Perception! Gave curiosity a lot more emphasis.

What are the Subfields of Psychology?1. Developmental/Lifespan Psychology.2. Physiological/Biological Psychology.3. Learning and Memory Psychology.

4. Perception Psychology.5. Motivation and Emotions Psychology.

6. Language and Problem-Solving Psychology.7. Industrial - Organizational Psychology.

8. Cognitive Psychology.9. Tests and Measurement Psychology.

10.Personality Psychology.11.Abnormal Psychology.

12.Social Psychology.13.Health Psychology.

14.Therapy Psychology.15.Educational Psychology.

Psychology Degrees By Area

Psychology CareersLaboratory/ExperimentalClinics SchoolsIndustryCommunityMedicalLaw EnforcementSportsAnimals

• Biological (Neuropsychology) Chemicals,Structure

The Brain Made Me Do It!• Psychoanalytic (Psychodynamic – Freudian) emphasizes

unconscious mind• Behaviorism focuses on objective & measurable behaviors

Doesn’t ask WHY?• Humanism emphasizes inner-self & importance of subjective

feelings, Everyone is born good!• Cognitivism focuses on mental function, thinking, reasoning• Social-Psychology Why did you jump off that bridge?! Because

your friends did!