Introduction to Psychology Concepts

Psychology

• Definition: Study of the mind and human behavior.
• Psychology vs. Psychiatry: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who treat mental health with medication; psychologists focus on therapy and mental health research.
• Nature vs. Nurture: Nature (genetics, early learning, 0-2 years) vs. Nurture (environment, learning, 2+ years).
• Empirical Evidence: Facts gathered through observation or experiments.
• Scientific Method: Steps to test ideas (observe, question, hypothesize, experiment, analyze, conclude, share).
• Brain & Neurotransmitters: Brain chemicals that transmit messages.
• Drug Addiction: Condition where individuals cannot stop using harmful substances.
• Ethics in Research: Rules to protect participants by ensuring consent, confidentiality, honesty, and safety.
• APA: Main U.S. organization for psychologists.
• Research Methods: Observation, surveys, case studies, experiments.
• Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data: Qualitative (descriptions, ideas) vs. Quantitative (numbers, measurements).
• Experimental Design: Planning studies to test a hypothesis.
• Variables: Independent (what's changed) vs. Dependent (what's measured).
• Sampling: Choosing participants for research.
• Neurotransmitters & Emotions: Serotonin (happiness, calmness), Dopamine (rewards, happiness), Oxytocin (bonding), Endorphins (happiness, energy).

Treatments

• Behavioral Treatment: Changing behaviors using rewards or consequences.
• Chemical Treatment: Using medication to adjust brain chemistry.
• Psychotherapy: Talk therapy to manage mental health.

Economics

• Definition: Study of how limited resources are used to meet needs.
• Microeconomics: Small-scale economics (individuals, businesses).
• Macroeconomics: Large-scale economics (countries).
• Global Economics: Worldwide trade and finance.
• Economic Development: Improving income, education, and living standards.
• Scarcity: Limited resources.
• Supply and Demand: Supply (available quantity) vs. Demand (desired quantity).
• Trade-off: Choosing one thing over another.
• Opportunity Cost: What's given up by making a choice.
• Markets: Places where goods or services are exchanged.

Economic Resources

• Land: Natural resources.
• Labor: Human work.
• Capital: Tools, machinery, technology.
• Entrepreneurship: Business creators.

Key Economic Terms

• Producer: Creates goods or services.
• Consumer: Purchases goods or services.
• Production: Making goods from raw materials.
• Distribution: Sharing goods with customers.
• Consumption: Using resources.
• Circular Flow of the Economy: How production, distribution, and consumption are linked amongst actors (government, businesses, individuals).