Psychology *

The scientific study of

mind and behavior

What makes psychology a science?

Scientific method *
the set of assumptions, rules, and
procedures that scientists use to conduct
empirical research
Empirical research *
collecting, organizing, and drawing
conclusions from data
Data *
information collected through formal
observation or measurement.

More to come on this topic in chapter two.

Levels of Explanation in
Psychology
Psychologists
understand
behavior at
different levels,
from lower-level
biological factors
to higher-level
cultural factors.
Behavior has
multiple,
interactive
causes.

Culture/
Society
Personality/
Interpersonal

Biology/
Genetics

Interaction

Behavior

Levels of Explanation: Depression

Social/Cultural
(gender roles, unemployment)

Personal/Interpersonal
Individual thought process
Marital relationship

Biological /Genetic
Genes, Hormones,
Neurotransmitters

Interaction

Depression

Try it: Choose an emotion or behavior.

Fill in the Blanks

Social/Cultural
_________________
_________________

Personal/Interpersonal
_______________________
_______________________

Biological /Genetic
_________________
__________________

Interaction

________

 Why did _____ do _____?

There is no single explanation for most
mental processes or behaviors.

Levels of explanation
Provide a focus for research
Provide a direction for application
Provide a framework for critical thinking

Perspectives

Evolutionary Psychology *
Key Concepts:

Fitness for Survival

Reproduction
Natural selection
Adaptation

Biological Psychology
Interaction between biology and behavior:
Brain
Nervous system
Hormones
Genetics
Chemicals, nutrition
Exercise, stress

Psychodynamic Perspective
Unconscious thoughts, feelings, behavior.
Sigmund Freud, M.D. Video
Psychoanalysis treatment based on
psychodynamic (psychoanalytic) theory

Humanistic Psychology
Key Concepts:

Free Will
Self Concept
Self Esteem
Self-Actualization
To be cont. (ch.7)

Behaviorism
Key Concepts

Focus on observable behavior.

Baby is a Blank Slate
Experiences shape behavior.
Behavior is predictable
Control behavior by
controlling environment
Watson Video

Cognitive Psychology
Mental Processes, including

Thinking
Perception
Memory
Judgment
Piaget video

Information Processing
Cognitive Theory
Computer metaphor
Input, encoding, storage, processing,
output (retrieval)
Programs (e.g. language)
Limits of this metaphor

Sociocultural Approach
Humans influenced by:
Social situations
Culture

Key Concepts:
Conformity
Social Norms
Individualism v. Collectivism

Can You Label These Perspectives?

1
2

4
8

Practitioners
Psychiatrists M.D., can prescribe drugs
Psychologists Ph.D. or Psy.D.
Many subfields of psychology Video