Psychology Unit Notes
What is Psychology, and why do we study it?
-the scientific study of human and animal behavior
-to better understand why humans and animals behave the way they do
-the study of the mind
-the study of individual behavior
What is behavior?
-almost any activity
 sweating, thinking, blinking
Q. What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
A. The simplest way to describe the difference between them is that a psychologist
primarily aids the depressed patient by counseling and psychotherapy. A psychiatrist may also
perform psychotherapy; but, in addition, can prescribe medications and perform ECT
(electroconvulsive therapy). A psychiatrist is a medical doctor. A psychologist may hold a
doctoral degree (Ph.D.) and be called "doctor"; but, is not a medical doctor (M.D.).
Types of Psychologists
Clinical- help individuals to understand themselves better
Social- study how individuals behave in groups
Developmental- study the psychological changes that normally occur as people get older
Experimental- study the behavior of animals in laboratory settings
Sigmund Freud
* developed one of the first comprehensive theories of personality
Three parts to the human personality:
Id- the selfish part
Ego- the referee
Superego- the conscience
Defense Mechanisms:
-an unconscious way of protecting oneself from emotional pain and physical harm; according to
Freud
Projection: a defense mechanism in which one’s faults are shifted to someone else
Ratonalization: a d.m. in which a person makes an excuse that is not the real reason for the action
Repression: a d.m. in which a person puts painful memories out of his or her conscious
Denial: a d.m. in which a person refuses to believe something even if it is obvious
Fight or Flight Response:
The fight-or-flight response, also known as the acute stress response, refers to a physiological
reaction that occurs in the presence of something that is terrifying (FEAR), either mentally or
physically.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
5. Self Actualization
4. Esteem Needs
3. Love and Belonging Needs
2. Safety Needs
1. Physiological Needs (body needs)
Conflict Resolution
Conflict resolution- the process of resolving a dispute or a conflict, by providing each side's
needs, and adequately addressing their interests so that they are satisfied with the outcome.
Conflict resolution aims to end conflicts before they start.
Outcomes
Win-win outcomes occur when each side of a dispute feels they have won. Since both sides
benefit from such a scenario, any resolutions to the conflict are likely to be accepted voluntarily.
Win-lose outcomes result when only one side perceives the outcome as positive. Thus, win-lose
outcomes are less likely to be accepted voluntarily.
Lose-lose outcomes mean that all parties end up being worse off. In some lose-lose situations,
all parties understand that losses are unavoidable and that they will be evenly distributed. In such
situations, lose-lose outcomes can be preferable to win-lose outcomes because the distribution is
at least considered to be fair.
Compromise outcomes are the result when both sides win and lose a little at the same time.
Problem Solving Steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Clarify/Identify the problem
Gather evidence
Evaluate evidence
Consider all alternatives and implications
Choose and implement the best alternative
Review your decision/ evaluate
Perception and Learning
Perception- the process of absorbing information from the environment through the 5
senses and interpreting it
Learning- a change in behavior caused by experience
Mental set: an expectation of the way things will be or should be
Experience pattern: a pattern of learning that consists of four steps (perception, thought,
action, reaction)
Conditioning- the process of training
Stimulus: something that causes one to act
Classical Conditioning: the pairing of a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned
stimulus to produce the same response
Operant Conditioning: gradually shaping behavior through positive reinforcement
Trial and Error: the process of learning gradually through mistakes
Positive reinforcement- rewards
Negative reinforcement- punishments