HSC1010 The Science of Psychology Part 1 PDF

HSC1010 The Science of Psychology Part 1: The Psychology Discipline Presented by: Dr Peter Tay, Assistant Professor in Psychology Developed by: Dr Angela Papadimitriou, Clinical Psychologist & Dr Peter Tay Welcome to Psychology Instructors and contact Information Assistant Profe...

HSC1010 The Science of Psychology Part 1: The Psychology Discipline Presented by: Dr Peter Tay, Assistant Professor in Psychology Developed by: Dr Angela Papadimitriou, Clinical Psychologist & Dr Peter Tay Welcome to Psychology Instructors and contact Information Assistant Professor Peter Tay Psychologist, Module Co-Lead [email protected] Dr Justus Wee Rui Hao Psychologist, Module Instructor [email protected] Ms Sara-Ann Lee Wanzhen Clinical Psychologist, Module Instructor [email protected] Welcome to Psychology Lecture format Each 2-hour lecture will comprise 2 parts Each part represents a different psychology topic Preparation: Readings of lecture and textbook chapters Readings for all weeks (6 – 12) already on LMS Lecture slides will be uploaded prior to lecture Psychology Seminars Seminar Format Each 2-hour seminar will comprise experimental & clinical applications of theoretical content from lectures Worksheets & activities will be provided and conducted during seminar sessions Preparation: Readings of lecture and textbook chapters Seminar material will be uploaded at end of each week Assessments Continuous Assessment 1 (40%) Sociology Group Project Continuous Assessment 2 (30%) Psychology Test 1 Week 10 Content from weeks 6 – 9 50 MCQs, 1-hour Continuous Assessment 3 (30%) Psychology Test 2 Week 14 Content from weeks 10 – 12 50 MCQs, 1-hour Learning Objectives Define the discipline of psychology and its goals Understand the evolution of psychology Identify early psychological approaches Describe contemporary psychological approaches Understand different professions within the psychology field Explain importance of psychology for health sciences Who are Psychologists? Questions laymen ask… So, can you read my mind? Counsellors can make money one meh? Can you tell me how to reduce stress? What can you do to treat depression?.. … I have bad memory; I forget things easily… Who are Psychologists? Questions psychologists ask… How do we learn a behavior? How do we form attitudes about people and situations? Why do people differ in how sad, elated, or anxious they become? Why is it so hard to quit bad habits? How can we reduce stress? How can we learn more effectively? Resultado de imagem para psychology logo design | Psychology, Logo design, Logos What Psychology Is NOT Simplistic or superficial beliefs about psychology, and about ways of applying psychology which are not based on science, often popularised by certain personalities, magazine articles, television shows, advice columns, or the like, that influence the general public Pop Psychology What Psychology Is NOT Pop Psychology Talk shows Self-Help Books  What Psychology Is NOT Pseudoscience using psychological jargon and buzzwords without accuracy or relevance, heavily based on experience instead of well- known science Psychobabble What Psychology Is NOT Pseudoscience (pseudo = false): Promises quick fixes to life’s problems “reliving” the supposed trauma of your birth to resolve your unhappiness as a child “reprogramming” one’s brain to become more creative at work Psychology is more complex, more informative, and far more helpful as based on rigorous research & empirical evidence (careful observation, experimentation & measurement) What Psychology Is NOT What Psychology Is NOT Numerology Astrology Graphology Fortune-Telling Non-scientific Practices What Psychology Is NOT Astrologer: choose an Aries instead of an Aquarius as your next love to overcome your romantic problems Psychic: romantic problems due to being jilted in a former life Predictions of psychics, astrologers are so vague they are meaningless (“spirituality will increase next year”) No psychic has ever found a missing child or serial killer What Psychology Is NOT Often psychological research produces findings Most women suffer from that directly contradict emotional mood swings due to prevailing beliefs premenstrual syndrome If you play Beethoven to your infant your child will become smarter Hypnosis can help you accurately Like scientists in other fields, remember your 3rd birthday psychological researchers strive not only to discover new phenomena and correct mistaken ideas, but also deepen our understanding of an already familiar world (eg., origins of Common Sense aggression) What Is Psychology? The scientific study of behaviour and mental processes Scientific: Precise and careful observation of humans and animals using the scientific method Behaviour: all overt (evident and observable) actions & reactions (talking, facial expressions & movement) Mental Processes: all internal, covert (hidden) activity of our minds (thinking, feeling and remembering) The Goals of Psychology All sciences have a common goal: to learn how things work The goals of psychology aimed at uncovering mysteries of human and animal behaviour: Describe: What is happening? Explain: Why is it happening? Predict: When will it happen again? Control: How can it be changed? Not all psychological research will meet all 4 goals The Goals of Psychology Cognitive Social Biological perspectives perspectives perspectives Interventions Psychology Toolbox  Hermann Ebbinghaus (1850-1909) “Psychology has a long past, yet its real history is short.” History of Psychology Psychology’s Forerunners Plato (428 BC-348 BC): theoretical structure of the human mind (intellect, spiritual centre & desires) psyche (mind & soul): the framework of human behaviour & impulses Psychology’s Forerunners Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC): Para Psyche (About the Mind): the first known text in the history of psychology Mind: primary reason for the existence and functioning of the body Mind & Reason could exist independently of the body Unlike Plato, believer in nurture (human mind blank at birth, experiences define the formation of the mind and knowledge- base) – 1st behaviourist Psychology’s Forerunners File:Hippocrates rubens.jpg Hippocrates (c. 460 – c. 370) Father of Medicine Rejected the superstition of priests and founded a medical school Disease results from natural causes and must be treated by natural methods Physical reasons underlying many mental ailments (e.g., epilepsy) 1st physician: thoughts, ideas, and feelings come from the brain and not the heart Often prescribed rest, exercise, diet, music, and association with friends to restore natural balance Psychology’s Forerunners File:Hippocrates rubens.jpg Hippocrates The right side of the brain controls the left side of the body and vice versa The Art of Healing: symptoms of melancholia (depression), mania, postpartum depression, phobias, paranoia and hysteria – The Nature of Man: 1st theory on temperament. Human moods, emotions and behaviours caused by excess / lack of body fluids (humors): blood, yellow bile, black bile, & phlegm Contributions to Psychology: – Describing the natural causes of psychological conditions – Recommending holistic treatments – Describing behavioural problems – Formulating long-lasting theories of temperament and motivation (based on imbalances of humors) Milestones for Ψ Development Objective Introspection: Wundt (1832-1920) Psychology’s First Laboratory (1879): measuring the ‘atoms of the mind’ Apply scientific principles to study the human mind Consciousness (state of being aware of external events): thoughts, experiences and other basic elements Objective Introspection: the process of objectively examining and measuring mental processes resulting from physical sensations First attempt to bring objectivity and measurement into psychology Milestones for Ψ Development Structuralism: Titchener (1867-1927) Self-Reflective Introspection: Objective Introspection used on thoughts, as well as physical sensations Structuralism: using introspection to reveal the structure of the mind Introspection waned as unreliable due to variability of experience, and debate on key elements of experience Milestones for Ψ Development Functionalism: James (1842-1910) Harvard: 1st school in US to offer classes in Ψ Principles of Psychology textbook (1890) Did not believe that scientific study of consciousness was yet possible Interested in importance of consciousness in everyday life Functionalism: how the mind allows people to function in real world – work, play and adapt to surroundings Heavily influenced by Darwin’s ideas on natural selection (physical traits that help an animal adapt to its environment and survive passed on to offspring) Functionalism no longer prevalent approach but influenced educational & organizational psychology, and behaviorism Early Ψ Approaches Gestalt Ψ (Wertheimer, Kohler & Koffka) Looks at the human mind and behaviour as a whole not in parts “The whole is other than the sum of its parts” Emphasized dynamic nature of visual perception Incorporated in cognitive psychology Early Ψ Approaches Psychoanalysis: Freud Interested in nervous disorders with no physical causes – must be in the mind All threatening urges and desires are repressed in the unconscious mind - when they try to surface they create the nervous disorders Early childhood experiences are crucial Emphasised the ways our unconscious thought processes and emotional responses to childhood experiences affect our behaviour Freudian psychoanalysis (theory and therapy) basis of much modern psychotherapy (insight into and change of behaviour) Early Ψ Approaches Behaviourism: Pavlov, Watson, Skinner Pavlov (1849 – 1936): conditioning & learning Watson & Skinner(1924): scientific study of observable behaviour – focus on scientific enquiry; focus on observable behaviour, not consciousness; focus of his early work was on phobias Behaviourism still a major – psychological approach; influential to cognitive psychology Early Ψ Approaches Humanism: Rogers & Maslow (1950s) Behaviourism and Psychoanalysis too limiting Focus on how environmental influences can nurture or limit growth potential Attention on having human needs of love and acceptance satisfied Humanism today exists as a form of psychotherapy for self- understanding and self-improvement Contemporary Ψ Approaches Cognitive: focus on mental processes (1960s) the study of human mental processes and their role in thinking, feeling, and behaving focus on memory, intelligence, perception, thought processes, problem-solving, language and learning Cognitive neuroscience: studies the brain activity underlying mental activity (e.g., MRI, PET) Contemporary Ψ Approaches Sociocultural: emphasizes social and cultural influences on behaviour Biological Perspective: emphasizes bodily events and changes associated with actions, feelings and thoughts – Evolutionary Psychology: how are we humans alike because of our common biology and evolutionary history – Behaviour Genetics: how are we diverse because of our differing genes and environment Biopsychological: (integrated approach): considers the influences of biological, psychological and social-cultural factors Ψ Settings & Subfields Ciccarelli & White, Psychology, 2020 Professionals within the Ψ Field Psychiatrist: does work similar to that of a clinical psychologist but is likely to take a more biological approach; has a medical degree (M.D.) with a speciality in psychiatry Clinical Psychologist: diagnoses, treats and/studies mental and emotional problems, both mild and severe; has a PhD or a Psy.D. Psychoanalyst: practices psychoanalysis; has specific training in this approach after an advanced degree (M.D. or Ph.D.); may treat any kind of emotional disorders or pathology Psychotherapist: does any kind of psychotherapy; may have anything from no degree to an advanced professional degree, term unregulated Counsellor: may have degrees from counselling programs; deals with normal life problems; no training in the assessment or treatment of mental health issues; term not regulated Why Ψ for Health Sciences? Understand the person – not just the symptom Assess the condition in a 360-degree way Identify the impact of psychological variables on treatment Communicate effectively with the patient, their families and their treating team Understand importance of critical thinking as a health professional and researcher Develop critical thinking skills Enrich research skills Science of Psychology – Part 1 of 2 End HSC1010 The Science of Psychology Part 2: Critical Thinking & Scientific Method in Psychology Presented by: Dr Peter Tay, Assistant Professor in Psychology Developed by: Dr Angela Papadimitriou, Clinical Psychologist & Dr Peter Tay Learning Objectives Understand critical thinking and its importance for psychology and health sciences Describe the scientific method in psychology Understand key research methods in psychology Explain the ethics of psychological research Critical Thinking Video the movie Lucy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdLTEC6X3pk Critical Thinking Scientific Attitude: The Path to Critical Thinking To shift reality from fantasy and sense from nonsense requires a scientific attitude being skeptical but not cynical being open but not gullible Scientific Attitude requirements: 1. Curiosity: passion to explore and understand without misleading or being misled 2. Scepticism: refusal to believe without evidence or scientific, sound reasons 3. Humility: awareness of our own vulnerability to error and an openness to new perspectives Critical Thinking Studying psychology teaches you how the brain works, but also how to use yours by thinking critically Critical Thinking (Smart Thinking): ability to assess claims and make objective judgments on the basis of well-supported reasons and evidence, rather than emotion or anecdote Critical thinking is not negative thinking (i.e., criticizing an argument) Critical thinking is the ability to think creatively and constructively (i.e., alternative explanations for events, implications of research findings, application of new knowledge) Critical Thinking in Ψ Contribution of Critical Thinking in Psychology Surprising findings: Within days newborns can recognize mother by her odor (Marin et al., 2015) After brain damage, a person may be able to learn new skills yet be completely unaware of such learning (Cohen & Squire, 1980) Demystifying popular assumptions: Most people do not suffer from low self-esteem (Baumiester et al., 2003) high self-esteem is not always good Opposites do not generally attract (Burleson et al., 2009) Identifying effective policies: Taxes are effective at reducing purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages only when the customer is made aware that it’s added and the tax amount is undefined (Donnelly et al., 2021) Critical Thinking in Ψ Eight essential critical thinking guidelines: 1. Ask questions: be willing to wonder 2. Define your terms (hypothesis, operational definitions) 3. Examine the evidence 4. Analyse assumptions and biases 5. Avoid emotional reasoning 6. Do not oversimplify 7. Consider other interpretations 8. Tolerate uncertainty Critical Thinking Critical Thinking in Healthcare & Health Sciences: Clinical reasoning & clinical decision-making skills dependent on one’s critical thinking ability The healthcare professional has to be a critical thinker ready to learn to evaluate arguments and sort truths from falsehoods in the context of evidence- based medicine Understand the distinction between evidence-based medicine versus complimentary & alternative medicine Scientific Method in Ψ Scientific Method: a self-correcting process for evaluating ideas with observation and analysis Psychological science welcomes ideas and conceivable theories, then tests them Theory works: if the tests supports the predictions Theory is revisited or rejected: if predictions fail Psychology uses scientific methods to try to: determine facts reduce uncertainty Scientific Method in Ψ Five Steps of the Scientific Method 1. Perceiving the Question – about an observed situation that you would like an explanation (description goal) 2. Forming a Hypothesis – a tentative explanation about the situation (description & explanation goals) 3. Testing the Hypothesis – by collecting data and analysing results (explanation goal) 4. Drawing Conclusions – about investigation’s success or failure to explain situation (prediction goal) 5. Report Your Results – share exactly what, why, and how you did it, and how it can be repeated (control goal) Scientific Method in Ψ Research Methods in Ψ Descriptive Methods: Establishing the Facts Correlational Methods: Looking for Relationships Experimental Methods: Hunting for Causes Research Methods in Ψ Descriptive Studies: Establishing the Facts a) Observational Studies: observe people or animals in natural environment or research setting b) Case Studies: study the individual in greater detail; researchers try to learn as much as they can about the individual c) Surveys: ask questions (e.g., via telephone, internet, or questionnaire) about topic researchers are studying d) Psychological Tests: use assessment instruments that measure and evaluate personality traits, emotional states, aptitudes, abilities, values and interests Research Methods in Ψ Correlational Studies: Looking for Relationships A positive or negative correlation is a measure of the direction of a relationship between two variables A correlation does not establish cause and effect only a relationship The coefficient of correlation specifies the strength and direction of the relationship Research Methods in Ψ Experiment Methods: Hunting for causes Only method to determine cause of a behaviour is to deliberately manipulate one or more variables and measure changes in the variable(s) of interest The Variables: Independent (variable that is manipulated) Dependent (the measure used to evaluate the manipulation of the independent variable) Sample Selection: Experimental Group (gets the IV or manipulation) and Control Group (receives no treatment or treatment should not have an effect) Random Assignment in one of the 2 groups ensures control over confounding variables Research Methods in Ψ Experiment Methods: Hunting for causes Experimental Hazards Placebo Effect: the expectations and biases of the participants in a study can influence their behaviour Experimenter Effect: the experimenter’s biases can affect or influence participant’s behaviour To resolve these biases: Single Blind Study: Participants blind to condition assigned Double Blind Study: Participants and experimenters blind to condition(s) Research Methods in Ψ Research Basic Purpose How Is What is Weaknesses Method Conducted Manipulated Descriptive Observe and record Case studies, Nothing No control of behaviour observations, variables; single cases surveys misleading Correlational Detect naturally Collect data on Nothing Cannot specify cause occurring relationships; 2 or more and effect assess how well one variables; no variable predicts manipulation another Experimental Explore cause and Manipulate one Independent Sometimes not effect or more factors; variable(s) feasible; results may random not be generalizable; assignment not ethical to manipulate certain variables Myers & Dewall, Psychology 11th Ed., 2015, p38 Drawing Conclusions Evaluating the Findings Descriptive Statistics: Finding out what’s so – organise and summarise data (mean and standard deviation) Inferential Statistics: Asking “so what?” – how meaningful the findings are (significance tests and confidence intervals) Interpreting the Findings (choosing the best explanation, judging the result’s importance) Research Ethics Ethics of Psychological Research Psychological scientists have a primary goal of protecting the health and welfare of their human or animal participants Several bodies that review research projects: National Medical Ethics Committee Hospital Ethics Committees Institutional Review Boards @ Universities Research Ethics Guidelines for Doing Research with People: Rights and well-being of participants come first, the study’s value to science come second Participants must be able to make an informed decision (informed consent) about participating Deception of participants must be reasonable and justifiable Participants should be able to withdraw from the study at any time Participants must be explicitly informed and protected from risks Investigators must explain to participants the nature of the study and expectation of results at its conclusion Participant’s identities and personal information must be confidential The researcher is responsible for detecting and addressing any undesirable consequences for the participants Research Ethics Ethical considerations for research with animals: Main focus is to avoid any unnecessary pain or suffering Ensure comfort, health and humane treatment, minimise infection, illness and pain (American Psychological Association) Housing animals under reasonably natural loving conditions with companions for social animals (British Psychological Society) Research Ethics Why use animals for research: Animals and humans share a common biology; Animal experiments have led to treatment of human diseases (e.g., insulin for diabetes, vaccines to prevent polio and rabies) Some research can be difficult and dangerous to investigate with human participants Animals are easier to control Animals have shorter lives: easier to study long term effects Science of Psychology – Part 2 of 2 End