Introduction to Psychology

Psychology

• Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior.
• It encompasses a wide range of topics, including cognition, emotion, motivation, perception, and social interaction.
• Key areas of study in psychology include:
  • Developmental psychology: Studies how people change and develop across the lifespan.
  • Clinical psychology: Focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders.
  • Social psychology: Examines how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by others and social situations.
  • Cognitive psychology: Explores mental processes like memory, learning, and problem-solving.
  • Biological psychology: Investigates the biological bases of behavior and mental processes, including the nervous system and genetics.
  • Personality psychology: Looks at individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
• Psychologists employ various research methods to study these topics, including experiments, observations, and surveys.
• Different perspectives on psychology include: psychoanalytic, behavioral, humanistic, cognitive, and biological.
• Ethical considerations are paramount in psychological research and practice, for example, confidentiality and informed consent.

Sociology

• Sociology is the study of human social behavior, organization, and social institutions.
• It examines how individuals and groups interact within society and how social structures shape behavior.
• Key areas within sociology include:
  • Social stratification: The study of social class, inequality, and social mobility. This includes the distribution of wealth, power, and prestige.
  • Social institutions: Examines family, education, religion, politics, and economics and their roles in society.
  • Culture: The study of shared beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors of groups, affecting social norms.
  • Social change: How social structures and institutions evolve over time and the factors contributing to these changes, like technological advances, population shifts, or social movements.
  • Social processes: Examines how social interaction, conflict, and cooperation shape society.
  • Deviance: The study of behaviors that violate societal norms and expectations, and the reactions to those behaviors.
• Sociological theories provide frameworks for understanding social phenomena. Key theoretical perspectives include:
  • Symbolic interactionism: Focuses on the meanings individuals attach to their social interactions.
  • Functionalism: Views society as a complex system of interconnected parts that work together to maintain stability.
  • Conflict theory: Emphasizes the role of power, inequality, and social conflict in shaping society.
• Sociologists use qualitative and quantitative methods to collect and analyze data.
• Social issues, like poverty, crime, and discrimination, are often examined through a sociological lens.
• Sociological research informs policies and initiatives aiming to improve social well-being and address social problems.