Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which factor is emphasized in the scientific nature of psychology that differentiates it from intuition?
Which factor is emphasized in the scientific nature of psychology that differentiates it from intuition?
What is the primary focus of positive psychology as a sub-discipline?
What is the primary focus of positive psychology as a sub-discipline?
Which major theoretical perspective in psychology focuses on the interaction between environmental factors and behavior?
Which major theoretical perspective in psychology focuses on the interaction between environmental factors and behavior?
In the context of educational requirements for psychologists, which setting is most commonly associated with their practice?
In the context of educational requirements for psychologists, which setting is most commonly associated with their practice?
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Which of the following best defines the role of biological and cultural factors in psychology?
Which of the following best defines the role of biological and cultural factors in psychology?
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What does the psychodynamic perspective primarily focus on regarding human behavior?
What does the psychodynamic perspective primarily focus on regarding human behavior?
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Which of the following best describes the metaphor used to explain the psychodynamic perspective?
Which of the following best describes the metaphor used to explain the psychodynamic perspective?
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Which major sub-discipline of psychology would most likely study the effects of workplace dynamics on employee performance?
Which major sub-discipline of psychology would most likely study the effects of workplace dynamics on employee performance?
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What is a core principle of functionalism as proposed by William James?
What is a core principle of functionalism as proposed by William James?
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Which of the following psychological issues reflects the debate between free will and determinism?
Which of the following psychological issues reflects the debate between free will and determinism?
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What method is primarily used by psychotherapists to gather data in the psychodynamic perspective?
What method is primarily used by psychotherapists to gather data in the psychodynamic perspective?
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Which psychological perspective primarily engages with the conflict between conscious and unconscious processes?
Which psychological perspective primarily engages with the conflict between conscious and unconscious processes?
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Which of these is NOT considered a major sub-discipline of psychology?
Which of these is NOT considered a major sub-discipline of psychology?
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What is a key characteristic of the behaviourist perspective?
What is a key characteristic of the behaviourist perspective?
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Which of the following best describes the metaphor for the humanistic perspective?
Which of the following best describes the metaphor for the humanistic perspective?
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According to the cognitive perspective, how does the human mind function?
According to the cognitive perspective, how does the human mind function?
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What does the evolutionary perspective suggest about human behavior?
What does the evolutionary perspective suggest about human behavior?
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Which approach emphasizes the experimental method to infer mental processes?
Which approach emphasizes the experimental method to infer mental processes?
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How does the behaviourist perspective primarily gather data?
How does the behaviourist perspective primarily gather data?
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What is the role of empathy in the humanistic perspective?
What is the role of empathy in the humanistic perspective?
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What does sociobiology examine in the context of evolutionary psychology?
What does sociobiology examine in the context of evolutionary psychology?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Psychological Science
- Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes and behaviour.
- Aims of the unit include: a basic understanding of contemporary psychology, defining psychology, major theoretical frameworks, critical reading of psychological literature, and argumentative essay writing.
- Successful completion of unit results in: understanding main perspectives, methodologies, and topic areas in psychology, proficiency in using library databases (Murdoch Library Catalogue, Findit, PsycINFO) for research, correct APA style referencing, and writing APA style psychological essays.
- There are assignments and an exam.
- Essay 1 (15%): Introduction to Essay topic.
- Essay 2 (40%): Essay on selected topic.
- Final Exam (35%).
- Participation (10%).
- Assignment extensions are available, but require completion of a form and emailing the unit coordinator.
- All assignments must be submitted to LMS drop-boxes by 5 pm local time on due dates.
- Two possible essay topics are provided: psychological disorder treatments or attachment styles and adult outcomes.
Learning Outcomes
- Define psychology
- Outline psychology's history.
- Differentiate major theoretical perspectives in psychology.
- Discuss the educational needs of psychologists and their typical work settings.
What is Psychological Science?
- Psychology is the scientific investigation of mental processes (thinking, remembering, feeling), behaviour and the interaction between them.
- Psychology emphasizes science, contrasting with intuition.
- Scientific investigation produces empirical evidence used to draw conclusions.
Psychology: Positive Psychology and Subdisciplines
- Positive psychology is a branch focused on factors that help people flourish.
- Biology and culture interact with psychological processes.
- Major subdisciplines in psychology include: biopsychology, developmental, social, community, clinical, cognitive, personality, positive, industrial/organizational, educational, health, counselling, sport, forensic, and conservation.
Early Psychology
- Wilhelm Wundt: proponent of structuralism, established the first psychology laboratory using introspection to investigate fundamental elements of consciousness.
- William James: proponent of functionalism, arguing that consciousness serves a purpose, not just basic elements.
Philosophical Issues
- Free will vs determinism; nature vs nurture; rationalism vs empiricism; reason vs emotion; continuity vs discontinuity; individualism vs relationality; conscious vs unconscious; and mental vs physical (mind/body).
Perspectives in Psychology
- Multiple perspectives can be used to address psychological issues.
- Biases can occur in perspective selection.
- A paradigm is a broad framework/model used by the scientific community to address issues.
- Psychology is characterized by multiple schools of thought (“isms”).
Psychodynamic Perspective
- This perspective emphasizes the interaction between conscious and unconscious forces in shaping behaviours, thoughts, and feelings.
- Mental events can be unconscious.
- Mental processes can be conflicted which leads to anxiety
- Data collection uses case studies of clients' thoughts, feelings and actions.
- Criticized for a lack of empirical method, falsifiability, and unreliable measures.
Behaviourist Perspective
- This perspective emphasizes environmental stimuli in controlling behaviours through learning.
- Thoughts and feelings are less prioritized.
- Stimuli and behaviour are connected by classical and operant conditioning.
- Human and animal behaviour is mechanistic and can be studied through experimentation.
- Emphasizes quantitative data.
Humanistic Perspective
- This perspective emphasizes the unique individual and the motivation to reach full potential (self-actualization).
- People are innately good.
- The perspective is person-centred.
- Therapists demonstrate empathy.
Cognitive Perspective
- This perspective focusses on how people process, store, and retrieve information.
- The mind is comparable to a computer (information processing model).
- Data collection uses experiments to understand mental processes at work.
Evolutionary Perspective
- Human behaviours have evolved to help ancient ancestors survive and reproduce.
- Some behaviours have biological roots such as eating and reproduction.
- Natural Selection applies to psychological and social behaviours.
- Reproductive success is linked to survival and offspring.
Contributions of Perspectives
- Psychodynamic, behavioural, humanistic, cognitive, and evolutionary perspectives each contribute to understanding the human experience.
- No single perspective can fully explain human experience.
Careers in Psychology
- Top five industries employing psychologists in Australia in 2009 and 2015: Private, Education, Health, Government, and Other.
Ethical Dilemma Activity
- An activity about ethical considerations in psychology with a hypothetical case study about counselling.
- Is the student qualified to give advice to their depressed friend?
- What advice can the student give?
Summary
- Psychology is the scientific investigation of mental processes (thinking, remembering, feeling), behaviour, and interactions between them.
- Key perspectives examined in this course include: psychodynamic, behaviourist, humanist, cognitive, and evolutionary.
Homework
- Prepare for workshops with pre-workshop activities like a quiz about information or psychological resources.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamental aspects of psychological science, including key theoretical frameworks and methodologies. It aims to equip students with necessary research and writing skills specific to psychology, emphasizing APA style referencing. Prepare for assignments and exams that contribute significantly to your overall grade in this unit.
