Introduction to Psychology 101 PDF

Introduction to Psychology 101 (Module 1) Ms. K Henry Objectives 1. Define psychology. 2. Assess research methods used in psychology. 3. Differentiate among basic concepts, ideas, principles, theories, and practices in psychology. 4. Discuss major historical trends and theoretical perspectiv...

Introduction to Psychology 101 (Module 1) Ms. K Henry Objectives 1. Define psychology. 2. Assess research methods used in psychology. 3. Differentiate among basic concepts, ideas, principles, theories, and practices in psychology. 4. Discuss major historical trends and theoretical perspectives in the development of psychology as a science. 5. Evaluate the basis for behavior. What is Psychology Definition: "Psychology is the scientific study of the mind, behavior, and mental processes." Key Areas: Cognitive processes (thinking, memory, problem-solving) Emotional responses Social and biological influences on behavior Understanding Cognitive Processes Thinking: How we process information and make decisions. Memory: How we encode, store, and retrieve information. Problem-Solving: Strategies for overcoming obstacles and achieving goals. Example: "Remembering someone’s name or solving a math problem are examples of cognitive processes." Visual: Brain diagram highlighting key regions for memory and problem-solving. Understanding Cognitive Processes cont’d ○ Cognitive processes drive how we think, remember, and solve problems. ○ Emotions are central to our interactions and decision-making. ○ Behavior is shaped by both social and biological factors. Closing Thought: "Understanding these processes helps us better understand ourselves and others."  The Role of Emotions Emotions influence decision-making, relationships, and mental health. Types of emotional responses: Positive: Joy, excitement, contentment. Negative: Fear, anger, sadness. Connection to the brain: The role of the amygdala. Example: "Fear triggers the 'fight or flight' response." Social and Biological Influences on Behavior What Shapes Behavior? ○ Social Influences: Family, peers, culture, and societal norms. ○ Biological Influences: Genetics, brain structure, and neurotransmitters. ○ Interaction between nature (biology) and nurture (environment). Example: "Cultural norms affect how we express emotions, while biology affects how we experience them." Visual: Nature vs. Nurture graphic.  Psychologists’ Goals We study psychology in order to understand, behavior Describe: Observing and detailing behaviors and mental processes. Explain: Understanding the causes of behaviors and mental processes. Predict: Anticipating behaviors and mental processes based on patterns. Control: Using knowledge to influence or manage behavior for positive outcomes. Improve: Enhancing individuals well-being through practical applications of psychology.  William Wundt William Wundt Structuralist- interested in the basic elements of human experience Laboratory of Psychology- 1879 in Leipzig Germany Wanted to pursue the study of government in a systematic and scientific manner Established modern psychology as a separate formal field of study Sigmund Freud Studied the unconscious mind - There lied primitive biological urges that are in conflict with the requirements of society and morality - Thought this was responsible for many medically unexplained physical symptoms that troubled his patients Used Psychoanalysis in his practice William James "Father of Psychology" Taught the first class in psychology at Harvard in 1875 Took him 12 years to write the first textbook in Psychology Theorized that thinking, feeling, learning, and remembering have the major function of helping us survive as a species Functionalists- study how animals and people adapt to environments Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) Behavioral Psychologist Pavlov's Dog's experiment Stressed and interest in observable behavior versus studying the thought process John B Watson John B. Watson Worked with Ivan Pavlov Believed psychology should concern itself only with the observable facts of behavior and maintained that all behavior, even apparently instinctive behavior, is the result of conditioning and occurs because the appropriate stimulus is presented in the environment B. F. SKinner (1904-1990) Introduced the concept of reinforcement to behavioralism Wrote a novel on a Utopian society where behavioralism and reinforcements controlled society Abraham Maslow Abraham Maslow Humanistic Psychologist Describes nature as evolving and self-directed Does not see humans as being controlled by events in the environment or by unconscious forces The environment and other outside forces simply serve as a background to our own' internal growth Approaches in Psychology Biological Psychodynamic Behavioral Cognitive Humanistic  Biological Perspective The definition of the biological approach to psychology is an approach to psychology that considers biological factors that affect human beings. Biological factors which affect individuals include: The nervous system Neural communication and the nervous system as a whole are studied. The field of neuropsychology is dedicated to studying communication between brain cells and how this is related to human behavior. Genetics Genes are heritable factors that can control for observable behaviors. Heritable means passed down through generations.  Biological Perspective con’t Neurotransmitters: Chemical messengers in the brain (e.g., serotonin, dopamine) that affect mood, motivation, and cognition. Brain Structures: Regions like the amygdala (emotion), hippocampus (memory), and prefrontal cortex (decision-making). Genetics: Examines hereditary influences on behavior and psychological traits. Hormones: Biological substances (e.g., cortisol, adrenaline) that regulate responses to stress and other stimuli. Nervous System: Focuses on the central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous systems.  Psychodynamic perspective Emphasizes unconscious Focuses on how unconscious processes and early life experiences influence behavior. ○ The Unconscious Mind: Central to understanding thoughts and motivations. ○ Conflict: Behavior arises from conflicts between the id, ego, and superego. ○ Early Childhood Experiences: Events in early life are pivotal in shaping personality and behavior. ○ Defense Mechanisms: Psychological strategies (e.g., repression, denial) to manage internal conflicts and anxiety.  Behavioral Perspective Emphasizes the scientific study of observable behavioral responses and their environmental determinants Core Principles: ○ Behavior is learned through interaction with the environment. ○ Internal states (thoughts and emotions) are secondary to observable behavior. Major Approaches: ○ Stimulus-Response Relationships: Emphasizes the link between stimuli and behavioral responses. ○ Learning Theories: Includes classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning.  Cognitive perspective Emphasizes the mental processes involved in knowing: directing our attention, perceiving, remembering, thinking and solving problems Key Assumptions Mental processes can be studied scientifically: Unlike behaviorism, which only studies observable behaviors, cognitive psychology uses scientific methods to explore internal mental processes. The mind functions like a computer: Information is input, processed, and output, similar to how a computer processes data. Schemas influence understanding: Schemas (mental frameworks) help people organize and interpret information but can also lead to biases or errors. Behavior results from cognitive processing: Thoughts and perceptions influence actions and emotions  Humanistic perspective Emphasizes a person's capacity for personal growth, freedom to choose a destiny and positive qualities. Free will: Humans have the ability to make conscious choices and are not entirely determined by biology or external forces. Holism: Humans should be studied as whole beings, considering all aspects of their experience. Innate goodness and growth: People are naturally good and have the desire to achieve their full potential (self-actualization). Subjective experience is central: An individual’s perception of the world shapes their behavior and emotions. Humanistic perspective con’t Key Concepts 1. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: ○ Five levels of human needs: 1. Physiological needs (e.g., food, water). 2. Safety needs (e.g., security, stability). 3. Love and belongingness (e.g., relationships, social connections). 4. Esteem needs (e.g., self-respect, recognition). 5. Self-actualization (achieving one's full potential). 2. Self-Concept: ○ Ideal self vs. real self: Congruence between these leads to greater self-fulfillment. ○ Unconditional positive regard: Feeling accepted without conditions fosters personal growth. Goals of research methods in psychology Experimental Method - Pursues the goals of control and explanation Descriptive Research - Pursues the goal of description Correlational Research - Pursues the goal of prediction  Experimental Research Research that manipulates one or more variables, while controlling other factors, to determine the effects of one or more other variables. Purpose: to determine whether there is a casual relationship. A theory can be defined as a "general principle proposed to explain how a number of separate facts are related." A theory is an "idea about a relationship." In order to test whether a theory is correct or not, we need to do research.  Concepts Independent Variable - Variable manipulated by the experimenter to determine its effect on another, dependent variable (INPUT VARIABLE) Dependent Variable - Variable showing the effect of the independent variable. (RESULTS OF THE EXPERIMENT) Experimental Group - Participants who are exposed to the experimental condition of interest.  Concepts con’t Control Group - Participants who are not exposed to the experimental condition of interest. Examples Health Research Question: Does exercising daily reduce symptoms of depression? Independent Variable (IV): Frequency of exercise (e.g., daily, weekly, none). Dependent Variable (DV): Symptoms of depression (e.g., score on a depression scale). Research Question: How does diet affect blood sugar levels in diabetic patients? Independent Variable (IV): Type of diet (e.g., low-carb, high-carb, balanced diet). Dependent Variable (DV): Blood sugar levels (e.g., fasting glucose level). Exercise Identity the DV and IV People who drive sports cars are more aggressive in interaction with others. Does watching television violence affect aggression. Does exposure to subliminal messages have an effect on product sales. Does forming images of words to be remembered enhance memory for those words. Activity Time Write two research questions of your choice then highlight the dependent variable and independent variable.  Descriptive Research Research that involves the recording of behaviors that have been observed systematically The researcher simply records what he or she has systematically observed. - Naturalistic Observation - Case Studies - Surveys - Psychological testing - Archival research  Correlational Research Research that studies the degree of relationship between two or more variables. Variables - an event, behavior or condition or characteristic - E.g. age, height, temperature and intelligence Correlation - degree of relationship between two or more variables. E.g. Relationship between obesity and exercise Other Research Methods in psychology Observational: Naturalistic or laboratory observations. Surveys and Questionnaires: Gathering data from participants. Case Studies: In-depth analysis of a single individual or group. Longitudinal vs. Cross-Sectional Studies.  Something to ponder on (“What Drives Behavior?") Biological Basis: Genetics: Influence of inherited traits on behavior. Brain Structure: How specific regions like the prefrontal cortex and amygdala contribute to actions and emotions. Neurotransmitters: Chemicals like dopamine and serotonin that impact mood and behavior.  Take away (Environmental Basis): Social Influences: Impact of peers, family, and cultural norms. Learning Experiences: How conditioning and reinforcement shape behaviors. Interaction of Factors: Nature vs. Nurture: The dynamic relationship between biological predispositions and environmental factors. Reflection exercise Reflect on your behaviors and identify what influences you (e.g., cultural norms, personal experiences, or biological traits). Write a short paragraph explaining your experience. Share insights in the class to foster discussion. Conclusion Psychology provides a foundational understanding of human thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, offering insights into the factors that shape our experiences and interactions. As a scientific discipline, it bridges biological, social, and cultural influences to explore and explain the complexities of the human mind.