Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods

Introduction to Psychology

• Psychology is the scientific study of mental activity and brain behavior
• Mental activity involves perception of the world through senses and information consumption
• Behavior encompasses all actions resulting from sensory information interpretation
• Psychology seeks to understand and predict behavior and mental activity
• Psychology encompasses various fields, like biological, neuroscience, personality, social, cultural, clinical, and industrial
• Understanding self and others, improving lives, and developing skills like critical thinking, communication, and creativity are key goals of psychology

Research Methods in Psychology

• Scientific method involves carefully planned steps to analyze phenomena
• The method is objective and replicable, utilizing theories, hypotheses, studies, outcomes, and analysis
• Ethical considerations, including respect for individual dignity, human welfare, and scientific integrity, are crucial in research studies
• Research must ensure no harm to participants, respecting privacy, confidentiality, ensuring informed consent, and protecting participants from harm.
• Descriptive methods involve observing and systematically assessing and coding behavior. Multiple observers can reduce bias
• Self-reports gather data rapidly

Biology in Psychology

• The nervous system is a network of billions of cells responsible for thoughts, feelings, and actions.
• Sensory information is processed and stored, as well as actions.
• Neurons, basic nerve cells, are crucial in the nervous system. Damaged or dysfunctional myelin sheaths are symptoms of disorders like Multiple Sclerosis.
• Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons. Different neurotransmitters, like Acetylcholine (ACh), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine, serotonin, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) affect a range of functions, including muscle contractions, mood, learning, memory, sleep emotions, etc.

Consciousness and Awareness

• Consciousness is the subjective experience of the external world and internal mental activity. Varying states of consciousness include normal waking, altered states, like sleep, daydreaming, and states of consciousness altered by factors such as substance use, trauma, and disease.
• Consciousness is influenced by a combination of subjective experiences and brain activity. A level of awareness depends upon brain activity.
• Some factors causing an altered state of awareness include, injury, drugs, sleep, or meditation.
• Inattentional and change blindness are important examples of visual perception.

Sleep

• Sleep theories include restorative, circadian rhythm, and consolidation.
• Sleep is crucial for rest, repair, and maintaining biological functions, like temperature, hormones, and blood pressure. Sleep disorders can disrupt this process.
• Sleep problems like insomnia, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy negatively impact health and daily routines.

Sensation and Perception

• Sensation involves sensory organs detecting external stimuli and transmitting information to the brain.
• Perception involves the brain processing, organizing, and interpreting sensory signals. Perception results in an internal representation of the physical stimulus.