Psychology: GSR2 and Research Aims

The GSR2 (Biofeedback relaxation system)

• The GSR2 is used to monitor galvanic skin resistance (GSR)
• GSR measures variations in sweat gland activity and pore size, which is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system
• Stress and tension cause changes in GSR levels
• Calmness increases skin resistance, while tension decreases it

Aims of Psychology

• Psychology has four major aims:
  • Description
  • Understanding
  • Prediction
  • Control
• Description involves naming or classifying behavior without determining the cause
• Understanding establishes cause-effect relationships between variables, answering "why?"
• Prediction aims to accurately forecast future behavior based on current knowledge
• Control involves modifying behavior by changing conditions that affect it

Psychology Research

• Participation must be voluntary
• Both humans and animals can be participants in psychological research
• Verbal reports are not referred to as body language
• Reasoning is considered a covert behavior
• Description does not lead to establishing cause-effect relationships
• Physiological changes include heart rate and saliva secretion
• Covert behaviors cannot be directly observed, so they must be converted into overt behaviors for study
• Mental processes include thinking and reasoning
• Control refers to the ability to change behavior in predictable ways
• Physiological changes can be associated with behavior

Definitions

• Psychology is the scientific study of overt and covert behavior
• The scientific method is a systematic process of observation, measurement, and experimentation used to gather reliable knowledge
• Covert behavior refers to internal events that cannot be directly observed, such as thoughts and feelings
• Description refers to the process of identifying and classifying behavior
• Control refers to the ability to alter or modify behavior in a predictable way

Communication and Behavior

• Non-verbal communication is referred to as body language
• Covert behaviors are private and internal events, as they cannot be directly observed
• Understanding focuses on establishing cause-effect relationships between variables
• Verbal communication refers to spoken language
• Psychology uses the scientific method to differentiate itself from common sense knowledge

Types of Psychologists

• There are two main types of psychologists:
  • Pure/Basic Psychologists
  • Applied Psychologist
• Pure/Basic Psychologists focus on discovering the fundamental principles of mental activity
• Applied Psychologists use these principles to help humans

Some Fields of Psychology

• Basic Studies in Psychology:
  • Experimental Psychology
  • Physiological Psychology
  • Animal Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Abnormal Psychology
• Professional Psychologists:
  • Personnel Psychologists
  • Clinical Psychologists
  • Educational Psychologists

Specific Fields Explained

• Experimental Psychology: Studies basic facts and principles of behavior usually in a lab setting using human adults.

• Physiological Psychology: Focuses on investigating the relationship between bodily structures and functions and mental activity.

• Animal Psychology: Studies animal behavior to gain insights into human behavior.

• Developmental Psychology: Examines how behavior develops across the lifespan, from fetus to old age.

• Social Psychology: Studies the effect of social objects and events on behavior and how groups function.

• Abnormal Psychology: Focuses on understanding unusual or problematic aspects of behavior.

• Personnel Psychologist: Works in selecting and training employees, optimizing workplace efficiency.

• Clinical Psychologist: Diagnoses, assesses, and treats mental health disorders, but cannot prescribe medication.

• Educational Psychologist: Studies how students learn and develop within educational settings, applying psychological principles to the classroom.

Assessment and Prevention

• Assessment is gathering information to solve a problem. It can be done through observation, testing, or interviewing.
• Prevention aims to reduce the prevalence of a disability. There are three types:
  • Primary prevention: Aims to prevent the occurrence of a problem in the first place.
  • Secondary prevention: Aims to detect and treat problems at an early stage.
  • Tertiary prevention: Aims to reduce the impact of an existing problem.

Additional Psychology Concepts

• Overt behavior: Observable actions, including:
  • Motor behaviors (e.g. walking, talking)
  • Verbal behaviors (e.g. speaking, writing)
  • Non-verbal behaviors (e.g. body language)
• Covert behavior: Internal events not directly observable, like thoughts and feelings
• Mental processes: Include:
  • Thinking
  • Reasoning
  • Perceiving
  • Imagining
  • Dreaming
• Physiological changes: Bodily responses that can be associated with behavior, such as increased heart rate, sweating, and changes in blood pressure.
• Research methods in Psychology: Include:
  • Experimental methods
  • Correlational methods
  • Descriptive methods

Psychology and Everyday Life

• Sport psychologists help athletes improve performance and focus.
• Psychology principles can be applied to help individuals in many ways, including:
  • Improving relationships
  • Managing stress
  • Making better decisions
  • Overcoming challenges

Summary of Key Points

• Psychology is a scientific discipline that studies both observable actions (overt behaviors) and internal events (covert behaviors).
• There are different types of psychologists with diverse fields of study and professional practices.
• Research methods in psychology are used to collect data and understand the causes and effects of behavior.
• Psychology plays an important role in understanding human experiences and improving individual and societal well-being.