Nature of Psychology PDF

Nature of Psychology Nature of Psychology Major Perspectives in Psychology Psychologists developed a variety of approaches to understanding behavior 1. Neuroscience perspective. - views behavior from the perspective of the brain, the nervous system, and oth...

Nature of Psychology Nature of Psychology Major Perspectives in Psychology Psychologists developed a variety of approaches to understanding behavior 1. Neuroscience perspective. - views behavior from the perspective of the brain, the nervous system, and other biological functions. 2. Psychodynamic perspective. - based on the view that behavior is motivated by unconscious inner forces over which the individual has little control. Nature of Psychology Major Perspectives in Psychology 3. Behavioral perspective. - the view that looks at the behavior itself as the problem 4. Cognitive perspective. - the view that suggests that people’s thoughts and beliefs are a central component of abnormal behavior. 5. Humanistic perspective. - the approach that suggests that all individuals naturally strive to grow, develop, and be in control of their lives and behavior. Nature of Psychology Approaches to Research Research is a systematic inquiry aimed at the discovery of new knowledge— is a central ingredient of the scientific method in psychology. It provides the key to understanding the degree to which hypotheses are accurate. Descriptive Research 1. Archival Research. Research in which existing data, such as census documents, and newspaper clippings, are examined to test a hypothesis. Nature of Psychology Approaches to Research Descriptive Research 2. Naturalistic Observation. Research in which an investigator simply observes some naturally occurring behavior and does not make a change in the situation 3. Survey Research. Research in which people chosen to represent a larger population are asked a series of questions about their behavior, thoughts, or attitudes. Nature of Psychology Approaches to Research Descriptive Research 4. Case Study. An in-depth, intensive investigation of an individual or small group of people. 5. Correlational Research. Research in which the relationship between two sets of variables is examined to determine whether they are associated, or “correlated.” Nature of Psychology Approaches to Research Experimental Research investigation of the relationship between two (or more) variables by deliberately producing a change in one variable in a situation and observing the effects of that change on other aspects of the situation. 1. independent variable – the condition that is manipulated by an experimenter 2. dependent variable – the variable that is measured and is expected to change as a result of changes caused by the experimenter’s manipulation of the independent variable Nature of Psychology Approaches to Research Experimental Research  experiment manipulation – change that an experimenter deliberately produces in a situation  experimental group – any group participating in an experiment that receives a treatment  control group – a group that receives no treatment Nature of Psychology Fields in Psychology 1. Behavioral genetics – studies the inheritance of traits related to behavior 2. Behavioral neuroscience – examines the biological basis of behavior 3. Clinical psychology – deals with the study of diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders Nature of Psychology Fields in Psychology 4. Clinical neuropsychology – unites the areas of biopsychology and clinical psychology, focusing on the relationship between biological factors and psychological disorders 5. Cognitive psychology – the study of higher mental processes 6. Counseling psychology – primarily on educational, social, and career adjustment problems. Nature of Psychology Fields in Psychology 7. Cross-cultural psychology – investigates the similarities and differences in psychological functioning in and across various cultures and ethnic groups 8. Developmental psychology – examines how people grow and change from the moment of conception through death. 9. Educational psychology - concerned with teaching and learning processes, such as the relationship between motivation and school performance. Nature of Psychology Fields in Psychology 10. Environmental psychology - Considers the relationship between people and their physical environment. 11. Evolutionary psychology - Considers how our behavior is influenced by our genetic inheritance from our ancestors. 12. Experimental psychology - Studies the processes of sensing, perceiving, learning, and thinking about the world Nature of Psychology Fields in Psychology 13. Forensic psychology – focuses on legal issues, such as determining the accuracy of witness memories. 14. Health psychology – explores the relationship between psychological factors and physical ailments or disease. 15. Industrial/organizational psychology – Concerned with the psychology of the workplace 16. Personality psychology – focuses on the consistency in people’s behavior over time and the traits that differentiate one person from another. Nature of Psychology Fields in Psychology 17. Psychology of women – Focuses on issues such as discrimination against women and the causes of violence against women 18. School psychology - Devoted to counseling children in elementary and secondary schools who have academic or emotional problems. 19.Social psychology – Study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, and actions are affected by others 20.Sport psychology – Applies psychology to athletic activity and exercise. Nature of Psychology Careers in Psychology Psychology is an extraordinarily diverse field with hundreds of career paths. All psychologists have in common is a shared interest in the minds and behaviors of both human and nonhuman animals. Psychologists draw on an ever-expanding body of scientific knowledge about how we think, act, and feel, and they apply the information to their areas of expertise. Nature of Psychology Psychologists Conduct Research Many psychologists conduct research that runs the gamut from studies of basic brain functions to individual behavior to the behavior of complex social organizations. Subjects of such scientific study include nonhuman animals, human infants, both well-functioning and emotionally disturbed people, etc. Much of the laboratory research is conducted in universities, government agencies and private research organizations. Nature of Psychology Psychologists Study Social Development Developmental psychologists study the many behavioral and psychological changes that occur throughout the life span. Psychologists Teach and Provide Services To Students Psychologists provide a number of services—both direct and indirect—to children, youth, and families in schools at all levels Focus on improving student learning and behavior through research on topics such as motivation and cognitive processes Nature of Psychology Psychologists Promote Physical and Mental Health Psychologist work in health care teams and typically work in hospitals, medical schools, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, pain clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and community health and mental health centers Nature of Psychology Psychologists Study the Work Environment and Performance Issues Psychologists design programs for recruiting, selecting, placing, and training employees. They evaluate, monitor, and improve performance. Psychologists with training in mental health and health care also deal with the health and adjustment of individuals in the work setting.