Introduction to Psychology Unit 1 (PDF)

Topic 1 Psychology: the study of mental processes and behaviour INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE Unit Coordinator Details Unit coordinator – Dr Andrea Steele (based in Perth) [email protected] Introduction to Psychological Science The broad aims of this unit are to pro...

Topic 1 Psychology: the study of mental processes and behaviour INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE Unit Coordinator Details Unit coordinator – Dr Andrea Steele (based in Perth) [email protected] Introduction to Psychological Science The broad aims of this unit are to provide you with: a basic understanding of contemporary psychology  understand the difficulties in defining psychology  be able to outline the predominant theoretical frameworks used in contemporary psychology the skills necessary to becoming critical readers of psychological literature  understand how to critically engage with readings  understand how to write an argumentative essay Introduction to Psychological Science On successful completion of the unit you should be able to demonstrate: have an understanding of the main perspectives, methodologies, and topic areas within the discipline of Psychology be able to use the Murdoch Library Catalogue, Findit and PsycINFO database proficiently to ensure quality research during your psychology studies be able to use correct APA style referencing be able to write an APA style psychological essay Icebreaker Lets learn something about you!  Assignments Assignment Assignment Marks Type Essay 1. Essay 15% Introduction 2. Essay 40% Final Exam 35% Participation 1. Tutorial 10% Participation Lot of information & marking guides in unit guide Housekeeping Assignment extensions – need to complete Application of Extension of Assessment form on LMS and email unit coordinator with supporting documentation All assignments uploaded to assignment dropboxes on LMS by 5pm (local time) on the due date Assignments Pick one: 1. Focusing on one type of psychological disorder, what would be the most efficacious available treatment option/s that may be administered by psychologists and/or other health care professionals? 2. To what extent can attachment styles in childhood predict outcomes in adulthood? Assignment 1 – essay introduction 15% Assignment 2 – essay 40%  Expectations around Class Participation Class participation is 10% of your total mark – see Unit Guide Come prepared to participate and engage Be respectful to other class members Complete any pre-class activities – bring any questions you have to the class Have Burton writing guide with you during class For online classes: Join online session 5 mins before start time Find a quiet area in your house/office Mute mic if not speaking but have your camera on for the whole session Introducing Psychology Learning outcomes 1.1 Define psychology 1.2 Outline the history of psychology 1.3 Distinguish among the major theoretical perspectives in psychology 1.4 Discuss the educational requirements for psychologists and outline their most common work settings What is psychological science? Psychology is defined as the scientific investigation of mental processes (thinking, remembering and feeling), behaviour and the interaction between them Emphasis on science (compare intuition) We use scientific investigation to produce empirical evidence Conclusions are always drawn from an assessment of this empirical evidence, not what we think/feel  Sub-discipline of positive psychology: understanding the factors that help people flourish Psychology Biology and culture provide possibilities and constraints within which people think, feel and act. Some stereotypes… The reality… Major sub-disciplines of psychology Biopsychology  Industrial  Organisational Developmental  Educational Social  Health Community Clinical  Counselling Cognitive  Sport Personality  Forensic Positive  Conservation Psychological Science is… Vast in scope ◦ From neurons to culture ◦ From stuttering to self-identity Eclectic in influence ◦ Philosophy, arts, computer science, biology Translational research and professional practice ◦ Mental health, behaviour change, education, leadership and management, politics and policy Pivotal science of the 21st century Early psychological science Wilhelm Wundt: Proponent of structuralism ◦ Established the first psychological laboratory ◦ Used the method of introspection to uncover the basic elements of consciousness William James: Proponent of functionalism ◦ Functionalism argued that consciousness is functional and serves a purpose. Philosophical issues of psychology Free will versus determinism? Nature (biology) versus nurture (environment)? Rationalism versus empiricism? Reason versus emotion? Continuity versus discontinuity with other animals? Individualism versus relationality? Conscious versus unconscious? Mental versus physical (mind/body)?  Any psychological issue can be approached using a number of perspectives. We can be biased in our perspectives. Perspectives A paradigm is a broad system of theoretical in assumptions employed by a scientific community. psychology Psychology lacks a unified paradigm but has several schools of thought or “ism’s” Psychodynamic perspective The psychodynamic view posits that conscious and unconscious forces interact to control our thoughts and behaviours. ◦ Behaviour is an interplay between thoughts, feelings, and wishes. ◦ Some mental events are unconscious. ◦ Mental processes can be in conflict, resulting in anxiety. Psychodynamic perspective Metaphor for the psychodynamic view: Awareness is like an iceberg – the portion above water is the conscious, the larger bulk below the water is the unconscious. Seeks to understand the meanings of the mental life of a client through speech and dream analysis Data is collected through case studies in which a therapist seeks understanding of the thoughts, feelings, and actions of the client. Criticised for non-empirical approach, violation of falsifiability criterion and use of unreliable measures. Behaviourist perspective The behaviourist view is that environmental stimuli control behaviour through learning. The behaviour of humans (and animals) can be understood without reference to internal states such as thoughts or feelings. Stimuli become associated through conditioning ◦ Classical conditioning ◦ Operant conditioning Behaviourist perspective Metaphor for the behaviourist view is that humans and other animals are mechanistic; we show responses that can be elicited (or made more likely) by external stimuli. Seeks to understand the relations between stimuli and behaviour through the experimental method. Data is quantitative empirical data that can be analysed statistically and replicated. Humanistic perspective The humanistic perspective focuses on the uniqueness of the individual and that people are motivated to reach their full potential (self-actualisation). The metaphor for the humanistic perspective is that people are innately good and will strive to realise goals and ambitions. The humanistic perspective is person-centred with the therapist showing empathy toward client. Cognitive perspective The cognitive view focuses on how people process, store and retrieve information The metaphor for the cognitive perspective is that the mind is like a computer (information processing model). Uses experimental methods to infer mental processes at work Evolutionary perspective Evolutionary view is that human behaviours evolved because they helped our ancestors survive and reproduce. Some behaviours are biologically determined (e.g., the impulse to eat, sexual impulses). Sociobiology: ◦ Natural selection operates on psychological functions and social behaviour as well as physical functions. ◦ Reproductive success refers to capacity to survive and produce offspring Evolutionary perspective The metaphor for the evolutionary perspective is that ‘we are all runners in a race, competing for resources…’ Gather information through deductive methods with more recent use of experimentation. Often start with a known behaviour in a species and attempt to explain it on the basis of evolutionary principles.  Psychodynamic psychology: focus on unconscious processes, conflict, and early experiences Behavioural psychology: focus on learning (behaviour modified by consequences) Humanistic psychology: focus on the unique individual Contributions and motivation to achieve goals of the Cognitive psychology: focus on thought and memory psychological Evolutionary psychology: focus on why we feel, think or perspectives behave No single perspective is able to provide a completely comprehensive explanation of the human experience Careers in psychology Top five industries employing Psychologists in Australia in 2009 and 2015: Activity: Ethical Dilemma Summary Psychology is defined as the scientific investigation of mental processes (thinking, remembering and feeling), behaviour and the interaction between them. Five schools of thought will be examined across psychological phenomena in this course: Psychodynamic; Behaviourist; Humanist; Cognitivist and Evolutionary perspectives. Homework We hope you enjoy the unit!