Introduction to Psychology By: Amna Khan Learning Outcomes Define Psychology. What are the basic goals of Psychology? Describe the various fields of Psychology. What are different methods of Psychology? Describe the perspectives in modern Psychology. What is Psychology? Psychology Greek words: ‘Psyche’ means ‘soul’ ‘Logos’ means ‘study’ . “Psychology” means ‘the study of soul’ or ‘science of soul’ Cont. ‘Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes’ Behavior includes all of our outward or overt actions and reactions. Mental processes include all the internal and covert activity of our mind. Most people think of psychology as the study of differences between people, but it also includes the study of similarities between people. Goals of Psychology • Psychology seeks to – describe – explain – predict, and – influence behavior and mental processes What Psychologists Do Today Branches of Psychology Biopsychology Developmental Psychology Personality Psychology Health Psychology Clinical Psychology Counselling Psychology Educational Psychology Social Psychology: Industrial and Organizational Psychology Experimental Psychology Environmental Psychology Psychology of Women Sports and Exercise Psychology Cognitive Psychology Forensic Psychology Cont. Biopsychology/physiological psychology investigate the biological basis of behavior Developmental Psychology study human mental and physical growth from conception to death Personality Psychology study the differences between individuals Cont. Cognitive Psychology focuses on internal mental states. conduct research on memory, language, problem-solving Experimental Psychology utilizes scientific methods to research the brain and behavior. conduct research on sensation, perception, and basic learning Social Psychology study how people influence one another Cont. Educational Psychology deals with issues such as learning disorders, assist in children's educational, intellectual and social development designing programs for special need children testing teaching Cont. Industrial/Organizational Psychology use psychological principles to improve work environment predicting job performance, assessing leadership, factors contributing to job satisfaction Cont. Environmental Psychology the relationship between the physical environment and psychological processes functioning of workers in different environments people's sense of personal space Cont. Forensic Psychology interface between psychology and the law assisting victims of crime profiling criminals might be clinical psychologists, school psychologists, neurologists or counselors Cont. Clinical Psychology diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders prevention, understanding and cure of psychological issues by way of psycho-therapeutic treatment. Counselling Psychology educational, social and career adjustment problems. provide help concerned with mild problems of social nature provide help for healthy lifestyle, economical and emotional adjustments. Methods of Psychology Some of the important scientific methods are: Introspection method Observation method Experimental method Case study method Questionnaire method Interview method Survey method Perspectives In Modern Psychology • The Psychodynamic Perspective • The Behavioral Perspective • The Cognitive Perspective • The Biological Perspective • The Cross-Cultural Perspective • The Evolutionary Perspective • The Humanistic Perspective Cont. Psychodynamic Perspective role of the unconscious mind early childhood experiences, and interpersonal relationships Behavioral Perspective focuses on learned behaviors and observable behaviors. Cognitive Perspective focuses on mental processes such as memory, thinking, problemsolving, language, and decision-making. Cont. Biological Perspective how genetics influence different behaviors? how damage to specific areas of the brain influence behavior and personality? nervous system, genetics, the brain, the immune system, and the endocrine systems are involved Cross-Cultural Perspective look at human behavior across different cultures. Cont. Evolutionary Perspective how evolution explains physiological processes. Psychologists and researchers take the basic principles of evolution, including natural selection, and apply them to psychological phenomena. Humanistic Perspective the role of motivation in thought and behavior. self-actualization