Introduction to Psychology

Why Study Psychology?

• Understand yourself and your behavior
• Better comprehend relationships and reactions to others
• Explore the connection between your brain and body
• Gain a deeper understanding of the world

The Study of Psychology

• Psychology focuses on observable behavior and inner thoughts and feelings
• It is defined as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Influences on Psychology

• Philosophy: Philosophers examined concepts like consciousness, perception, and motivation
• Physiology: Physiologists in the 1600s studied the human brain and its link to behavior, also developing scientific explanations for senses like vision and hearing

Wilhelm Wundt: The Founder of Psychology

• Established the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany in 1879
• Utilized experimental methods to study and measure consciousness

Psychoanalysis: Exploring the Unconscious

• Developed by Sigmund Freud, a physician focusing on nervous disorders
• Emphasized the role of unconscious conflicts in shaping behavior and personality
• Freud believed extreme unconscious conflicts could lead to psychological disorders

Behaviorism: The Observable Focus

• A school of psychology and viewpoint that emphasizes observable behavior, not mental processes
• Ivan Pavlov: Demonstrated that dogs could learn to associate a neutral stimulus (bell) with an automatic behavior (salivation)
• B.F. Skinner: Utilized reinforcement and punishment to shape the behavior of rats and pigeons

Humanistic Psychology: Emphasis on Individual Potential

• Founded by Carl Rogers, an American psychologist
• Focused on self-determination, free will, and human potential
• Abraham Maslow: Developed a theory of motivation highlighting psychological needs

Special Areas in Psychology

• Developmental Psychology: Studies physical, social, and psychological changes across the lifespan
• Social Psychology: Examines how people are influenced by their social environments, including topics like obedience, prejudice, and conformity
• Personality Psychology: Focuses on individual differences and traits that make each person unique
• Clinical Psychology: Studies the causes, treatment, and prevention of psychological disorders

Psychology vs. Psychiatry

• Psychology: A broad field of study with a Ph.D, emphasizing research methods and specialized areas of advanced study
• Psychiatry: A medical specialty with an MD (Doctor of Medicine), providing training in treatment of mental and behavioral problems with the ability to prescribe medications

The Scientific Method

• A set of assumptions, attitudes, and procedures guiding researchers in creating questions, generating evidence, and drawing conclusions

Descriptive Methods

• Naturalistic Observation: Observing and recording behaviors in their natural settings
• Case Study: An in-depth description of a single individual or event
• Survey: A questionnaire or interview designed to investigate opinions, behaviors, or characteristics of a group