Introduction To Behavioural Science - OCR

INTRODUCTION TO BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE (PSYCHOLOGY) DEFINITION Self evaluation Why are you pursuing the program you are undertaking? What attracted you to this course? What do you think patients expect from you? What attitude should you have towards patients and other people? How w...

INTRODUCTION TO BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE (PSYCHOLOGY) DEFINITION Self evaluation Why are you pursuing the program you are undertaking? What attracted you to this course? What do you think patients expect from you? What attitude should you have towards patients and other people? How would you want to be treated when you visit a health facility?  Objectives At the end of the lesson students should be able to: Define the concept of psychology Outline the applications of psychology Mention the approaches to studying psychology  WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY 1.Psychology comes from two Greek words: Psyche and Logos. Psyche means mind, soul or spirit. Logos means study or science. Literally, Psychology is the study of the mind. 2.Psychology is not defined as the study of the mind, but the study of human behaviour. This is because the mind is an abstract concept which is difficult to see and measure.  What is Psychology continued Behaviour refers to actions or reactions of an individual. These actions if easily observable such as laughing or crying are referred to as overt behaviours. Actions that are not directly observable but are inferred such as happiness are called covert behaviours. Mental processes on the other hand are the things that we do mentally like think, plan, reason, interpret and assign meaning. Definition “Psychology is the study of how people think, feel, and behave." - Myers (2017) Santrock (2011), “Psychology is the science dedicated to the study of behavior and mental processes”.  GOALS OF PSYCHOLOGY The four goals of Psychology are: To describe To explain To predict To change 7  GOAL ONE TO DESCRIBE BEHAVIOUR The first goals of psychology is simply to describe behaviour. Through describing the behaviour of humans and other animals, we are better able to understand it and gain a better perspective on what is considered normal and abnormal. Psychology researchers utilize a range of research methods to help describe behaviour including naturalistic observation, case studies, correlation studies, surveys, and self report inventories. ) 8  GOAL TWO TO EXPLAIN BEHAVIOUR Psychologists are also interested in explaining behaviour in addition to merely describing it. Why do people do the things they do? What factors contribute to development, personality, social behaviour, and mental health problems? Throughout Psychology history, many different theories have emerged to help explain various aspects of human behaviour. Theories are designed to explain human behaviour. 9  GOAL THREE TO PREDICT BEHAVIOUR Another primary goal of psychology is to make predictions about how we think and act. Once we understand more about what happens and why it happens, we can use that information to make predictions about when, why, and how it might happen again in the future. Successfully predicting behaviour is also one of the best ways to know if we understand the underlying causes of our actions. ) 10  GOAL THREE TO PREDICT BEHAVIOUR Cont.. Prediction can also allow psychologists to make guesses about human behaviour without necessarily understanding the mechanisms underlying the phenomena. For example, if researchers notice that scores on a particular aptitude test can be used to predict high school dropout rates, that information can then be used to estimate how many students in a particular group might drop out of school each year. ) 11  GOAL FOUR TO CHANGE BEHAVIOUR Finally, Psychology strives to change, influence, or control behaviour to make constructive and lasting changes in people's lives. For example, researchers might take what they know about the link between scores on an aptitude test and dropout rates and use the information to develop programs designed to help students stay in school. From treating mental illness to enhancing human well-being. Changing human behaviour is a huge focus of Psychology. 12  SCOPE OF PSYCHOLOGY Psychology has a wide scope as discussed above in that it is the only science that can be applied in any field of study that requires understanding of behaviour of living things including animals, plants and humans. It is a true science in that it uses scientific processes of research and is based on theoretical principles. Studies internal individual processes and differences. ) 13  Differences between psychology and other social sciences 1. Psychology focuses on the individual while other social sciences focus on the collective or the society 2. Psychology investigates the causes of human behaviour at the human level (micro level) while other social sciences explore social behaviour within groups, cultures, organizations and social institutions (macro- social level) 3. Psychology is considered to be more scientific than other social sciences while other social sciences may not employ these practice thoroughly. 14  Differences between psychology and other social sciences cont… 4. Psychology explores the cognitive, emotional and social means by which individuals relate to each other and to their environment while other social sciences foster creativity, innovation, critical thinking and analytic problem solving and communication skills. 15  HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) is considered to be the father of psychology because he formalized its beginning as a science by establishing the first laboratory in 1879 in Leipzig Germany. He was a German physiologist, philosopher and professor who established psychology as an independent field of study separate from philosophy and biology Wilhelm Wundt is considered the founder of experimental psychology and a pioneering figure who established psychology as an independent science with its own laboratories, journals  History of Psychology cont… and educational programs. His work laid the foundation for the development of modern psychology which has has been shaped by the following three schools of thought: 1.Structuralism 2.Functionalism 3.Gestalt  Structuralism Introduced by Wilhem Wundt and continued by Edward Titchener (1867-1927) It places importance on the study of the mind structural component such as feelings and sensations. Introspection (meaning looking within you and reporting it personally). The direct observation of ones heart and mind or soul.  Structuralism cont… It is also known as the study of the conscious mind. One limitation of introspection is the lack of a common answer to a problem. This makes it unreliable as individual experiences are subjective. This led to the development functionalism.  Functionalism This school of thought was introduced by William James (1842-1910) in the United States of America. He did not agree with structuralism and its method of study introspection. Stressed the importance of how behaviour functions allow people to adapt to their environment. He emphasized the use of direct observation of behaviour in the natural settings of an individual.  Gestalt Propagated by psychologist under Max Wertheimer in Germany. Influenced by studies in perception e.g the study of a pattern of moving lights by flashing several light bulbs consecutively. Emphasises on how people perceive and experience objects parts. Gestalt means WHOLE PATTERNS or FORM.  Gestalt cont… Interested in perceptual problems and their interpretation. Emphasizes that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Its principles have been used to explain sensation and perception. Gestalt psychology is a significant school of thought that has shaped our understanding of human perception and cognition, emphasizing the importance of holistic processing and the organization of information into meaningful patterns.  Approaches used in Psychology 1. Neurobiological approach- This model tries to understand and explain overt behaviour by describing it in terms of underlying biochemical, neurological and neuromuscular causes. It is assumed that the nervous system, endocrine system and body musculature have a lot to do with the way human beings behave. Human behaviour cannot be explained without exploring these avenues to find the cause of the behaviour. Approaches used in Psychology cont… 2. Humanistic approach-Carl Rogers discusses human behaviour largely as a result of the free will and unconditional positive regard. Human being has the capacity for personal growth and freedom to choose his own destiny. Individuals have the ability to control their lives rather than being manipulated by the environment Human beings have a tremendous potential for self-understanding and self-destiny and self- direction as they move towards self -actualization.  Approaches used in Psychology cont… 3.Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic- by Sigmund Freud The unconscious processes of the mind are viewed as being the primary determinant of behaviour influenced by early childhood experiences. The approach suggests that hidden conflicts or impulses in the unconscious realm are responsible for human behaviour as well as resolution of psychological conflicts Approaches used in Psychology cont.. 4. Behaviourism-The behavioral model was founded in 1930 by John B Watson who emphasizes on the importance of the environment and the effects of rewards and punishments in determining behaviour. The behaviourists stress the importance of dealing with behaviours that are directly observable. The environment is considered to be the primary determinant of behaviour.  Approaches used in Psychology cont… 5. Cognitive psychology-The cognitive theorists such as Albert Ellis argue that we are not merely passive receptors of stimuli but the mind actively processes the information it receives and transforms it into new forms and categories. It focuses on the mental processes of thinking and how thoughts influence our beliefs and actions..  SUBFIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGY Educational psychology This is a branch of psychology that looks at how different age groups learn. It involves the development of instructional methods and materials used to train or teach people in both the educational and work setting. It also looks at methods promoting intellectual, social and emotional development of children as well as those with special needs 31  SUBFIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGY Health psychology This branch of Psychology looks at the psychological factors associated with the development, prevention and treatment of illnesses. It includes areas such as stress, coping mechanisms as well as the relationship between the patient/clinician in the management of illness. Emphasises on ways of promoting health-enhancing behaviours 32  SUBFIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGY Industrial psychology/Organisational Psychology This branch of psychology is concerned with the management of people in the workplace or industry. It is concerned with worker productivity, job satisfaction, employee selection, training and motivation of the worker. It also looks at consumer protection as well as satisfaction of the employer in terms of production and profits. It also outlines how to meet company or organisational objectives. 33  SUBFIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGY Clinical psychology This branch of psychology studies the cause, management and prevention of different types of psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse and many others. 34  SUBFIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGY Counselling Psychology Counselling psychology aims at improving the quality of life of people by helping them improve their everyday functioning. This is done through helping people solve their everyday problems and cope more effectively with challenging situations. 35  SUBFIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGY Developmental psychology This one looks at the physical, social and psychological changes that occur to an individual throughout their life time from conception till death. 36  SUBFIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGY Social psychology This looks at how people are affected by their social environment as well as the way they think about and influence others. It discusses topics like conformity, obedience, persuasion, attitudes and many others. 37  SUBFIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGY Forensic psychology This is the use of psychological processes in the investigation of crimes as well as understanding the mental processes of the accused person at the time the crime was committed. Involves working with the police, rehabilitation centres, prisons and law firms. Entails testifying as an expert on behaviours of people. 38