Lecture 1: Introduction to Psychology

Lecture 1 Introduction to Psychology Aim: Lecture introduction. To reveal a general idea of psychology. Plan: More about Psychology 1. What is psychology? 2. Psychology in Everyday Life  What is psychology? Psychology is the scientific study of mind (mental pro...

Lecture 1 Introduction to Psychology Aim: Lecture introduction. To reveal a general idea of psychology. Plan: More about Psychology 1. What is psychology? 2. Psychology in Everyday Life  What is psychology? Psychology is the scientific study of mind (mental processes) and behavior. The root of the word psychology (psyche) is very roughly equivalent to "soul" in Greek, and (ology) equivalent to "study". Psychology came to be considered a study of the soul.  Gender psychology Psychology of health Sports Family Personality psychology psychology psychology Social psychology Educational Medical psychology psychology Developmental psychology Psychotherapy psychology General Philosophy  Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Behavior is an observable action emitted by an organism. Mental processes, though more difficult to observe directly, include thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Everything that is important in psychology is located in our main body organ – that is our brain.  History of Psychology Early Philosophy as the Foundation for Psychology The earliest psychologists that we know about are the Greek philosophers Plato (428–347 BC) and Aristotle (384–322 BC) Early Psychology The first use of the term "psychology" is often attributed to the German scholastic philosopher Rudolf Goeckel (Latinized Rudolph Goclenius), published in 1590. Wilhelm Wundt is considered to have created the first psychology lab in Leipzig, Germany in1879. William James published his seminal book, Principles of Psychology, in 1890, laying the foundations for many of the questions that psychologists would focus on for years to come. Hermann Ebbinghaus (1850–1909) was a German psychologist who pioneered experimental study of memory, and discovered the forgetting curve and the spacing effect. He was also the first person to describe the learning curve. Sigmund Freud (May 6, 1856 – September 23, 1939) was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of the psychoanalytic school of psychology. He simultaneously developed a theory of the human mind and human behavior, and clinical techniques for attempting to help neurotics.  The Most Important Perspectives of Psychology Psychological Description Important Perspectives contributors Structuralism Uses the method of introspection to identify the basic elements or “structures” of Wilhelm Wundt, Edward psychological experience B. Titchener Functionalism Attempts to understand why animals and humans have developed the particular William James psychological aspects that they currently possess Psychodynamic Focuses on the role of our unconscious thoughts, feelings, and memories, and our Sigmund Freud, Carl early childhood experiences in determining behavior Jung, Alfred Adler, Erik Erickson, Karen Horney Behaviorism Based on the premise that it is not possible to objectively study the mind, and John B. Watson, B. F. therefore that psychologists should limit their attention to the study of behavior itself Skinner Biological Focuses on the role of biology (genetics, neurotransmitters, hormones, and the brain) Michael Gazzaniga on human behavior and mental processes Humanistic Emphasis is placed on the individual’s potential for personal growth Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow Cognitive The study of mental processes, including perception, thinking, memory, and Hermann Ebbinghaus, judgments Sir Frederic Bartlett, Jean Piaget Social-cultural The study of how the social situations and the cultures in which people find the Fritz Heider, Leon mselvesinfluence thinking and behavior Festinger, Stanley Schachter Evolutionary Focuses on adaptation and survival as the basis of behavior and mental processes Charles Darwin, David Buss, Richard Dawkins, Steven Pinker  Most Important Psychologists B. F. Skinner B.F. Skinner's staunch behaviorism made him a dominating force in psychology and therapy techniques based on his theories are still used extensively today, including behavior modification and token economies. Skinner is remembered for his concepts of operant conditioning and schedules of reinforcement. Jean Piaget Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development had a profound influence on psychology, especially the understanding of children's intellectual growth. His research contributed to the growth of developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, genetic epistemology, and education reform. Albert Einstein once described Piaget's observations on children's intellectual growth and thought processes as a discovery "so simple only a genius could have thought of it."  Most Important Psychologists Sigmund Freud When people think of psychology, many tend to think of Sigmund Freud. His work supported the belief that not all mental illnesses have physiological causes. He also offered evidence that cultural differences have an impact on psychology and behavior. His work contributed to our understanding of human development, personality, clinical psychology, and abnormal psychology. Albert Bandura Albert Bandura's work is considered part of the cognitive revolution in psychology that began in the late 1960s. Bandura's social learning theory stresses the importance of observational learning, imitation, and modeling. "Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do," Bandura explained in his 1977 book ​"Social Learning Theory."  Most Important Psychologists Leon Festinger Leon Festinger developed the theories of cognitive dissonance and social comparison to explain the ways in which social conditions influence human behavior. Cognitive dissonance is the state of discomfort you feel when you hold two conflicting beliefs. You may smoke even though you know it is bad for your health. His social comparison theory says that you evaluate your ideas by comparing them with what other people believe. You are also more likely to seek out other people who share your beliefs and values. William James Psychologist and philosopher William James is often referred to as the father of American psychology. His teachings and writings helped establish psychology as a science. Among his many accomplishments was the publication of the 1,200-page text, "The Principles of Psychology," which quickly became a classic in the field. In addition, James contributed to functionalism, pragmatism, and influenced many students of psychology during his 35-year teaching career.  Most Important Psychologists Ivan Pavlov Ivan Pavlov was a Russian physiologist whose research on conditioned reflexes and classical conditioning influenced the rise of behaviorism in psychology. Pavlov's experimental methods helped move psychology away from introspection and subjective assessments to the objective measurement of behavior. Carl Rogers Carl Rogers placed emphasis on human potential, which had an enormous influence on both psychology and education. He became one of the major humanist thinkers and an eponymous influence in therapy with his client-centered therapy. His daughter, Natalie Rogers, described him as "a model for compassion and democratic ideals in his own life, and in his work as an educator, writer, and therapist."  Most Important Psychologists Erik Erikson Erik Erikson's stage theory of psychosocial development helped create interest and research on human development through the lifespan. An ego psychologist who studied with Anna Freud, Erikson expanded psychoanalytic theory by exploring development throughout life, including events of childhood, adulthood, and old age. Lev Vygotsky Lev Vygotsky was a contemporary of some better-known psychologists including Piaget, Freud, Skinner, and Pavlov, yet his work never achieved the same eminence during his lifetime. This is largely because many of his writing remained inaccessible to the Western world until quite recently.  Why Should You Study Psychology? Psychologists study the behavior of both humans and animals. The main purpose of this research is to help us understand people and to improve the quality of human lives. The results of psychological research are relevant to problems such as learning and memory, homelessness, psychological disorders, family instability, and aggressive behavior and violence. Psychological research is used in a range of important areas, from public policy to driver safety.  Psychology in Everyday Life Psychology, as a discipline, is used to understand various other domains of human society because human behavior is the central aspect of all human activities. Some of the most apparent ways in which psychology seeps into our daily lives:  Communication  Memory  Motivation  Relationships  Leadership  Academic Success  Emotional Intelligence  Productivity  Decision-Making  Health  Psychology in Everyday Life Communication involves much more than how you speak or write. Research suggests that nonverbal signals make up a huge portion of our interpersonal communications. To communicate your message effectively, you need to learn how to express yourself nonverbally and to read the nonverbal cues of those around you. Use good eye contact. Start noticing nonverbal signals in others. Learn to use your tone of voice to reinforce your message.  Psychology in Everyday Life Motivation. To increase your motivational levels when approaching a task, use strategies derived from research in cognitive and educational psychology. Introduce new or novel elements to keep your interest high. Vary repetitive sequences to help stave off boredom. Learn new things that build on your existing knowledge. Set clear goals that are directly related to the task. Reward yourself for a job well done.  Psychology in Everyday Life Leadership. Having good leadership skills will probably be essential at some point in your life. Not everyone is a born leader, but a few simple tips gleaned from psychological research can help you be a better leader. Offer clear guidance, but allow group members to voice opinions. Talk about possible solutions with members of the group. Focus on stimulating ideas and be willing to reward creativity.  Psychology in Everyday Life Emotional intelligence refers to your ability to understand both your own emotions and those of other people. Your emotional intelligence quotient is a measure of this ability. According to psychologist Daniel Goleman, your EQ may actually be more important than your IQ. Carefully assess your own emotional reactions. Record your experiences and emotions in a journal. Try to see situations from the perspective of another person.  Psychology in Everyday Life Decision-Making. Research in cognitive psychology has provided a wealth of information about decision making. Use the “six thinking hats” approach by looking at the situation from multiple points of view, including rational, emotional, intuitive, creative, positive, and negative perspectives. Consider the potential costs and benefits of a decision. Employ a grid analysis technique that gives a score for how a particular decision will satisfy specific requirements you may have.  Psychology in Everyday Life Memory. Have you ever wondered why you can remember the exact details of childhood events, yet forget the name of the new client you met yesterday? Research on how we form new memories as well as how and why we forget has led to a number of findings that can be applied directly in your daily life. To increase your memory power: Focus on the information. Rehearse what you have learned. Eliminate distractions.  Psychology in Everyday Life Relationships. As social creatures, human beings not only thrive on meaningful interactions but also require strong relationships to live a content and fulfilling life. The key to any healthy relationship is to understand the other person and to be understood. This exchange of thoughtfulness is only possible when we learn to read emotions and behavior and other people’s perspective on things. Understanding the psychology of relationships is integral to a healthy life.  Psychology in Everyday Life Academic Success. If you tempted to complain about pop quizzes, midterms, or final exams, consider that research has demonstrated that taking tests actually helps you better remember what you've learned, even if it wasn't covered on the test. A study found that repeated test-taking may be a better memory aid than studying. Students who were tested repeatedly were able to recall 61% of the material, while those in the study group recalled only 40%.2 How can you apply these findings to your own life? When trying to learn new information, self-test frequently in order to cement what you have learned into your memory.  Psychology in Everyday Life Productivity. There are thousands of books and magazine articles telling us how to get more done, but how much of this advice is founded on actual research? Take the belief that multitasking can help you be more productive. In reality, research has found that trying to perform more than one task at a time seriously impairs speed, accuracy, and productivity.3 Use lessons from psychology to increase your productivity more effectively. Avoid multitasking when working on complex or dangerous tasks. Focus on the task at hand. Eliminate distractions.  Psychology in Everyday Life Health. Psychology can also be a useful tool for improving your overall health. From ways to encourage exercise and better nutrition to new treatments for depression, the field of health psychology offers a wealth of beneficial strategies that can help you to be healthier and happier. Sunlight and artificial light can reduce the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Exercise can contribute to greater psychological well-being. Helping people understand the risks of unhealthy behaviors can lead to healthier choices.  Summary Psychology is a systematic and scientific study of mental processes, experiences and behaviors - both overt and covert – as they take place in a socio-cultural setting. The formal beginning of psychology was in 1879 when Wilhelm Wundt established the first experimental laboratory at the University of Leipzig, in Germany. The scope of psychology is wide as it addresses a variety of issues related to mental and behavioral functioning of the individuals. Study of psychology helps us to develop a basic understanding about human nature and facilitates dealing with a number of personal and social problems. The various psychological processes that are involved in human behavior are sensation, attention, perception, learning, memory, and thinking. Psychology has a number of specialized fields of study. Each field helps us understand human behavior in specific domain. Thank you for your attention!