SSYA1013
Weeks/Course Content Outline and Subtopics
1) Introduction To Psychology
1.1) Introduction to the Course and the Science of Psychology
1.2) Scope of Psychology
1.3) Theories/Perspectives
1.4) Goals and Origin 1.5) Psychology at Work
1.5) Major Figures In The Field Of Social Psychology
Course Content
o Lectures will cover some material
from the textbook, and some material
o Material from the workbook is
not required, but is very helpful
NOT in the textbook
o Online quizzes and experiments
o You are required to view the PPT &
video for each chapter, and some
exam questions will be based on these
PPT
are also NOT required, but are very
interesting and helpful
Course Objectives
Learning Objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
 Understand the etymology of the word “psychology”
 Define psychology,
 Understand the merits of an education in psychology
Evaluation and Timeline
We Will Evaluating Your Achievement By
Assignments
Quizzes
1. Individual Assignment 20 %
1.Quiz 1 20 % Quiz will be conducted
Submission deadline 8th week
on 9th week (Tuesday) (Chap 1-7) 6
Questions from each topic
2. Group Assignment 40 % (report
30% & video 10 %) Submission
deadline 14th week
2. Quiz 2 20 % Quiz will be conducted
on 15th week (Tuesday) (Chap 8-14) 6
Questions from each topic
How to do well in this course
Show up for class (exams)
Don't be shy...ask for help
Visit the website and download PPT notes.
Read your text every week...Don't wait until the week of the
exam.
Use the resources available through your text
Take notes on your readings, don't just highlight
Participate in class discussions; it will help you assimilate
the information and reduce boredom
Make-up
Exams
o Tests must be written on the scheduled dates unless you have a
legitimate excuse recognized by the university administration.
Valid reasons include medical or compassionate reasons, and must be
substantiated by proper documentation (e.g., a medical certificate).
A student who misses a regularly scheduled exam for any other reason,
or who is unable to justify a claim, will be assigned a zero for that
exam. notes
Office Hours
Dr. Muneera AL-Wahedi;
Mondays and Tuesday 8:30 - 3:50AM, or by
appointment
Feel free to approach me before class, during the class
class break, or after class
Core Questions
1.
What is psychology?
2.
What are the big questions within psychology?
3.
Is science a valid way to learn about complex
behavior?
4.
How can psychology make my life better now?
What Is Psychology?
Defintion Of Psychology
Psychology is the science of mind and behavior.
Psychology includes the study of conscious and
unconscious phenomena, as well as feelings and
thought. It is an academic discipline of immense
scope, crossing the boundaries between the natural
and social sciences.
Defintion Of Psychology
Psyche - Greek word meaning “Soul” or “Breath”
It emphasises on science, particularly the scientific method –
distinguishes psychology from closely related philosophy
Scientific – scientific knowledge is always based on some
kind of direct or indirect observation
Psychologists collect observations, look for regularities,
and then generate predictions based on what they
observed.
logos – means the study or investigation of something i.e.
biology or social
Defintion Of Psychology
The scientific study of behavior & mental processes
Behavior: observable acts
Mental Processes: storing, recalling, using info/feelings
How is it different from other social sciences?
Focus on individual behavior
Where did it come from?
Philosophy
Physiology
Psychology is born (roughly) in 1879
Defintion Of Psychology
Defintion Of Psychology
Defintion Of Psychology
Defintion Of Psychology
UNDERSTAND
Psychology aims to understand
the behavior, the conditions that
shape and influence that
particular behavior.
Defintion Of Psychology
DESCRIBE
Refers to observable behavior.
Psychologists try to accurately
describe psychological phenomena
Defintion Of Psychology
PREDICT
Involves
some
initial
assumptions or predictions
Understanding human behavior
enables us to predict behavior
Defintion Of Psychology
CONTROL
An important aspect in achieving
psychological goals.
Obligations to control behavior
that are formed to remain
relevant and appropriate.
Defintion Of Psychology
Fields of Psychology
Theoretical Psychology
Give
importance
to
understanding the general
laws
that
govern
phenomena logically, and
have sub-fields
Applied Psychology
It is concerned with the application
of laws and principles, revealed by
theoretical psychology on all
aspects of different activity using
methodological
and
scientific
methods, and have Sub-fields
Defintion Of Psychology
Theoretical Psychology Sub-fields
Psychologists Specializing In
 General Psychology
 Abnormal Psychology
 Physiological Psychology
 Animal Psychology
 Developmental Psychology,
 Differential Psychology
 Social Psychology,
Defintion Of Psychology
Theoretical Psychology Sub-fields
 General Psychology;
It studies the general principles and laws of
normal human behavior
 Physiological Psychology;
It studies the physiological basis of human
behavior. The study is based on studying the
functions of the brain, nervous, sensory and
glandular systems.
Defintion Of Psychology
Theoretical Psychology Sub-fields
 Developmental Psychology;
It studies the different stages of the development process (fetus, early
childhood, late childhood, adolescence, adulthood), the factors affecting
them and the general characteristics that characterize each stage.
 Social Psychology;
It is studying the social upbringing of the individual, how he affects the
social system and the culture in which he grows up, and how this affects
the formation of his attitudes, beliefs, and inclinations. Besides, Social
Psychology studies the psychology of the masses, public opinion and
propaganda.
Defintion Of Psychology
Theoretical Psychology Sub-fields
 Abnormal Psychology;
It studies individuals who produce abnormal behavioral
responses. These are the behaviors possessed by
personalities with psychological disorders, mental
disabilities, or perverts. It identifies the reasons and
factors leading to the lack of equality and seeks to find
solutions to help this category.
Defintion Of Psychology
Theoretical Psychology Sub-fields
 Animal Psychology;
It studies the animal's ability to learn and remember, and
whether its behavior is linked to specific motives. The interest
in this field is based on the use of animals in experimentation
before applying to humans.
 Differential Psychology
It studies the differences between individuals, groups and races
in terms of studying intelligence, personality, preparations,
attitudes, responses to situations and reactions. And what are
the factors that led to this?
Defintion Of Psychology
Applied Psychology Sub-fields
Psychologists Specializing In
 Clinical Psychology,
 Experimental psychology
 Political Psychology,
 Military psychology
 Organizational Industrial Psychology
 Commercial psychology
 Educational Psychology
 Measurement psychology
 Criminal psychology
 Counseling psychology
Defintion Of Psychology
Applied Psychology Sub-fields
 Clinical Psychology,
It studies behavioral disorders, psychiatric and mental
illnesses and treats it.
 Political Psychology,
It is interested in studying political concepts from psychological
processes using social and political views.
Defintion Of Psychology
Applied Psychology Sub-fields
 Organizational Industrial Psychology
It is interested in studying and analyzing the problems related to industrial
production to overcome the challenges that may hinder industrial
development to find solutions. and study the performance of individuals
influencing the production process in terms of educational, mental and
physical capabilities.
 Commercial Psychology
Focus on the psychological study of sales and marketing , purchase
motives and consumer needs and evaluate their psychological trends
towards products in the market.
Defintion Of Psychology
Applied Psychology Sub-fields
 Educational Psychology
Concerned with the scientific study of human learning. The study of
learning processes, from both cognitive and behavioral perspectives, allows
researchers to understand individual differences in intelligence, cognitive
development, affect, motivation, self-regulation, and self-concept, as well as
their role in learning.
The field of educational psychology relies heavily on quantitative
methods, including testing and measurement, to enhance educational activities
related to instructional design, classroom management, and assessment, which
serve to facilitate learning processes in various educational settings across the
lifespan.
Defintion Of Psychology
Applied Psychology Sub-fields
 Criminal psychology
It studies the factors and motives that lead to the occurrence of
crimes. With the study of the views, thoughts, intentions, actions and reactions
of criminals and all who participate in criminal behavior. Criminal psychology is
related to the field of criminal anthropology.
 Experimental psychology
Experimental psychology seeks to explore and better understand behavior
through empirical research methods.
Defintion Of Psychology
Applied Psychology Sub-fields
 Measurement psychology
Measurement is the assignment of scores to individuals so that the
scores represent some characteristic of the individuals.
Psychological measurement can be achieved in a wide variety of
ways, including self-report, behavioural, and physiological measures.
 Counseling Psychology
It is interested in helping the normal individuals in the process of
facing and solve their problems themselves in all areas of life and
promotes achievement at work and education sites
Defintion Of Psychology
Applied Psychology Sub-fields
 Military psychology
To train military members in the methods of psychiatric war,
and study the psychological leaders and psychological advertising to
promote the readiness of military members, organizations, and
operations.
Clinical providers in military psychology are often focused on
the treatment of stress, fatigue, and other personal readiness issues.
Defintion Of Psychology
Methodological Research in Psychology





5 Research Methods Used in Psychology
Case Study
Experiment
Observational Study
Survey
Content Analysis
Defintion Of Psychology
Methodological Research in Psychology
There are several different research methods
used in psychology. Broadly speaking, there are
two distinct types: quantitative and qualitative.
Defintion Of Psychology
Methodological Research in Psychology
Quantitative research methodology involves the use of
numerical data to make descriptions, predict outcomes, and test
potential relationships between variables.
Qualitative research investigates the use of non-numerical
data such as text, speech, video, and the like in an attempt to gain an
understanding or interpretation of different phenomena, such as social
or individual perceptions and behaviors.
Defintion Of Psychology
Methodological Research in Psychology
The main takeaway regarding quantitative and
qualitative research is this: quantitative research deals
with numbers while qualitative research relies on
descriptions.
Both types of research have their strengths and
limitations, despite the notion among some groups that
quantitative research is superior.
Defintion Of Psychology
Methodological Research in Psychology
Within the context of psychology, qualitative
research is highly valued because quantitative measures
cannot measure the nuance and totality of the human
experience. It’s important to note that both quantitative
and qualitative research methods are highly technical and
rigorous.

Within each of these two broad categories lie
distinct the five methods (Case Study, Experiment,
Observational , Survey, Content Analysis) used in
psychological research.
Defintion Of Psychology
REFERENCE
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Atkinson, R.L., Atkinson R.C., Smith, E.E., Bem, D.J., & Hoeksema, S.N. (2002). Hilgard’s introduction to
psychology (13th ed.). Fort Worth: Hartcourt College Publisher.
Benson, N. (2015). Introducing Psychology: A graphical guide. Duxford: Icon Books Ltd.
Coon D., & Mitterer O.J . (2008). Psychology a journey (3rd ed). CA: Thompson. Brook University.
Davis, S.F., & Palladino, J.J. (2000). Psychology (3rd ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Feldman, R. S. (2015). Essentials of Understanding Psychology (11th Edition). New York: McGraw Hill
Education.
Hewstone, M., Stroebe, W. & Jonas, K. (2016). An Introduction to Social Psychology. New York: John Wiley &
Sons Inc.
Holt, N., Bremner, A., Sutherland, E., Vliek, M., Passer, M. & Smith, R. (2019). Psychology: The science of mind
and behaviour. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
Kalat, J. (2016). Introduction to Psychology. Ohio: Cengage Learning Inc.
Mann, S. (2016). Psychology: A complete Introduction: Teach Yourself. London: John Murray Press.
Martin, G. N. & Carlson, N. R. (2018). Psychology. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.
Nevid, J. S. (2005). Psychology and the challenges of Life. (9th ed.). New Jessey : John
Sons, Inc.
• Santrock, J.W. (2000). Psychology. Boston: McGraw Hill.
Wiley
&
Defintion Of Psychology
THANKS