Chapter 1: The Science of Psychology

1 CHAPTER 1 The Science of Psychology 2 CHAPTER PREVIEW Mission Of Psychology & origin of EI Defining psychology and exploring its roots Contemporary approaches to psychology 3 MISSION OF PSYCHOLOGY Before World War II, psychology had three missions: curing m...

1 CHAPTER 1 The Science of Psychology 2 CHAPTER PREVIEW Mission Of Psychology & origin of EI Defining psychology and exploring its roots Contemporary approaches to psychology 3 MISSION OF PSYCHOLOGY Before World War II, psychology had three missions: curing mental illness, making the lives of all people more fulfilling, and identifying and nurturing high talent. After the war, two events changed the face of psychology. In 1946, the Veterans Administration was created, and practicing psychologists found they could make a living treating mental illness. In 1947, the National Institute of Mental Health was created, and academic psychologists discovered they could get grants for research on mental illness. 4 MISSION OF PSYCHOLOGY As a result, we have made huge strides in the understanding of and therapy for mental illness. But the downside was that the other two fundamental missions of psychology is not just the study of weakness and damage, it is also the study of strength and virtue. Treatment is not just fixing what is broken, it is nurturing what is best within ourselves. During 21st century the re-orient psychology to its two neglected missions, making normal people stronger and more productive as well as making high human potential is been emphasised. This effort leads to the development of Positive Psychology, EI etc… 5 CHAPTER PREVIEW Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes and human behavior and the relationship between them. Behavior: Every thing we do that can directly observed. Mental Processes: The thoughts, feelings and motives that each of us experiences privately but that cannot be observed directly. Scientific – Using systematic method to observe human behavior to draw conclusion. 6 FIGURE 1.1 - SETTINGS IN WHICH PSYCHOLOGISTS WORK 7 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Western philosophy Biology and physiology Wilhelm Wundt and structuralism William James and functionalism 8 STRUCTURALISM Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) German philosopher-physician First psychology laboratory (1879) Identify elements, or structures, of mental processes Introspection 9 FUNCTIONALISM William James (1842-1910) American psychologist and philosopher Identify purposes, or functions, of the mind Why is human thought adaptive? Natural flow of thought, or stream of consciousness 10 CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES Biological Behavioral Psychodynamic Humanistic Cognitive Evolutionary Sociocultural 11 BIOLOGICAL APPROACH Focus on brain and nervous system Neuroscience Structure, function, development, genetics, biochemistry of nervous system Brain and nervous system are central to understanding behavior, thought, and emotion 12 BEHAVIORAL APPROACH Emphasis on observable behavioral responses and their environmental determinants Notable behaviorists John B. Watson (1878-1958) B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) 13 PSYCHODYNAMIC APPROACH Emphasis on: Unconscious impulses Conflict between biological drives and society Childhood family experiences Founding father: Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) 14 SOCIOCULTURAL APPROACH Examination of ways in which social and cultural environments influence behavior Focus on comparisons of behavior across: Countries Ethnic and cultural groups within countries 15 COGNITIVE APPROACH Emphasis on mental processes involved in knowing How we: Direct attention Perceive, remember, think Solve problems 16 HUMANISTIC APPROACH Emphasis on: Positive human qualities Capacity for positive growth Freedom to choose any destiny Notable humanistic psychologists Carl Rogers (1961) Abraham Maslow (1971) 17 POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY Positive psychology is defined as “the scientific study of positive characteristics and strengths that enable individuals to thrive”. Additionally, it is thought to be “based on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work and play” (January 2, 2009). 18 CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING DIRECTIONS: CHOOSE ONE (1) OF THE TOPICS LISTED BELOW. THEN USE THAT TOPIC TO SHOW YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF EACHContemporary APPROACH. Approaches to Psychology FOR EACH BOX, WRITE HOW THAT TYPE OF Checking for Understanding PSYCHOLOGIST WOULD Directions: EXPLAIN THE Choose one (1) of the topics CAUSES listed below. ThenOF THIS use that topic toBEHAVIOR show your understanding of each approach. For each box, write how that type of psychologist would explain the causes of this behavior. Circle topic: Tripping another classmate- looking at yourself in the mirror- Checking your phone multiple times in class Psychoanalytical Psychology Behavioral Psychology Humanistic Psychology Cognitive Psychology Biological Psychology Socio-Cultural Psychology 19 IMPORTANCE OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY Understanding human behavior from different approaches in Psychology is essential, Emotional intelligence allows you to understand and manage your emotions in order to self-motivate and to create positive social interactions; it's the first step in realizing your true potential.... Emotional Intelligence is a useful skill to prevent making decisions based on emotional biases.