Chapter One
Introducing
Psychology
Journal Entry #1
What do hope to gain from
taking this class?
Minimum of 100 words
Psychology is:
• the scientific study of behavior and
mental (cognitive) processes
• a science that can involve both animals and
humans
• when applied to humans covers everything
people think (cognitive), feel (emotional)
and do (physical)
Ruth’s Lunch Experience
Hungry-----------(Physiological)
Cafeteria------(Learned Behavior)
Only Time in Schedule…(Cognitive)
Enters the cafeteria
Smells food…………
Hears dishes clanging………..(Sensory Perceptions)
Pays for lunch………..(Learned Behavior)
Looks for a social group………..finds no one and sits alone
(Acceptable Norms/Social Rules)
Gary enters the cafeteria………….
Sits with Ruth………(Social Rule/Acceptable norm)
Ruth rememberd past experience……..(Cognitive)
Became Angry……………..(Emotional Response)
Said, “NO”…………(Behavioral Response)
Felt bad and Depressed…….(Psychological Disturbance)
Left the cafeteria……..(Physical Action)
Psychologists are always asking
questions………..
9
Must combine accumulated knowledge to come to a psychological
conclusion!!!!
Goals Of Psychology
•Describe
•Explain
•Predict
• Influence
Describe
• the first goal for any
psychologist is to first
describe or gather
information about the
behaviors displayed
Explain
• Psychologists seek to
explain why people do
what they do…..these
are presented as a
Hypothesis
Theory
testing
An educated guess
A testable prediction
that is tested through scientific
research
A complex explanation
based on finds from a
large number of experimental
studies
Predicting
• Psychologists after
gathering data try to
predict what the
subject will do in the
future…..what they
will think or feel in
various situations
• by studying the past
they try to predict the
future
Influence
• Some psychologists
upon realization of the
problem or behavior in
question, seek to
influence or change
that behavior in a
positive way
Basic Science: (Research)
The pursuit of knowledge
about natural phenomena
for its own sake (specific findings
from one time and one place)
Applied Science: Using
scientific findings to
accomplish practical
goals
Psychology Relies on Observation………..
x
Psychology Relies on
Observation and
Interpretation
Observe the following works of art.
Describe what is unusual about each
work.
What do you think the artists was
trying to say to the viewer in each
work.
Rene`
Magritte
“The
Human
Condition”
OBSERVATION
Position yourself so that you can
see into the hallway.
For the next 5 minutes
record everything you observe. (all senses)
Avoid any value judgments or
inferences about physical appearance
or behavior just observe.
Journal Entry #2
Do you think psychologists can
learn everything they need to know
about people by observing only
their behaviors?
Why or why not?
Scientific Method
• In order to be credible:
psychologists must rely on the “Scientific
Method” of collecting data… the use of
various methods to accurately and
consistently collect data….Methods which do
not vary between studies
The Scientific Method
Question
Hypothesis
Experiment
Results
Conclusions
Theory
Other psychologists test
their theories
Chapter 1 Section 2
A Brief History of
Psychology
600 B.C.
Philosophers
begin to attempt
to interpret the
world and human
perceptions
Mid 1500’s
1650
Rene Descartes
proposed a link
between mind and
body
1800’s discovery
of cells (Modern
Science)
“Building Blocks
of Life”
Copernicus uses
ObservationEarth not the
center of the
universe
1600’s many
philosophers
believed the mind
and body to be
separate
“Duelism”
Periodic table of
elements and
understanding of
atomic forces.
Hippocrates:
“Men ought to know that from
The brain and the brain only,
Arises our pleasures, joys, laughter
And jests, as well as our sorrows
Pains, grief and tears”
•Which psychological pioneer would
be most likely to agree with Hippocrates?
•Which would be the least likely to agree with
Hippocrates?
“Modern science began to
emerge by combining Philosophers’
reflections, logic and mathematics
with observations and inventiveness
of practical people.
Subject: Psychopath Test for fun!
While at the funeral of her own mother, a woman met
a man whom she did not know. She thought he was
amazing.
She believed him to be her dream partner; so much so
that she fell in love with him right then and there, but
never thought to ask him for his number. She could not
find him.
A few days later she killed her sister.
QUESTION: What was her motive for killing her
Give this some thought before you answer.
ANSWER; She was hoping the guy would appear again
at her sister’s funeral.
If you answered this correctly, you think like a
psychopath. This was a test developed by a famous
American psychologist, used to test if one has the same
mentality as a killer. Many arrested serial killers took part in
the test and answered the question correctly.
If you didn’t answer the question correctly, good
for you. If you did answer correctly it is no guarantee that you will be
a serial killer…..THIS IS JUST FOR FUN!
Wilhelm Wundt (late 18-early-1900’s)
• Designed and developed the first
Psychology lab
• Proposed the psychological experiences had
two elements: 1. sensations
2. feelings
• Used the procedure of “Introspection” to
collect data
• Established Psychology as a formal field
of study
Psychology- Chapter 1 Sec. 2
Provide a written definition and drawing illustrating the following
Terms:
Structuralism is_________________
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Functionalism is_________________
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Inheritable Traits in relation to
Psychology refers to:
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Gestalt Psychology is____________
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Psychoanalytic Psychology is
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Behavioral Psychology is________
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Humanistic Psychology is__________
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Cognitive Psychology is_________
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Biological Psychology is
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Sociocultural Psychology is______
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Duelism is:
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What did Rene Descartes believe:______
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Journal Entry #3:
Some psychologists believe creativity
and intuition play as much of a role in
Psychology as hard-and-fast scientific
laws. What is your position:
1.
2.
3.
Psychology is an art only
Psychology is a science only
Psychology is a combined art and
science.
Psychology as a Profession
Developmental Psychologist
Clinical Psychologist
Forensic Psychologist
Educational Psychologist
Developmental Psychologist
Industrial Psychologist
Community Psychologist
Environmental Psychologist
Counseling Psychologist
Psychiatrist