AP Psychology
What is Psychology?
• The study of behavior and the mental/physical
processes that make it happen
• Focus of this class: Human behavior
• Different areas of psychology focus on
different areas of behavior
Example: Earworms
• According to research, up to 90% of people
studied report having a song that gets stuck in
their head (Williamson, Goldsmith’s College,
2012). The term used to describe this
phenomena is earworms.
• Earworms are linked to recent exposure to the
song, as well as stress, visual and/or audio cues,
or by hearing a certain word.
• People generally find the experience unpleasant
(Williamson, ibid).
Application
• Interrogators at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
terrorist detention center specialize in playing
music that is designed to break the will of the
prisoners (“Welcome to ‘the disco,’” The
Guardian, 6/18/08).
• Selections include “We Are the Champions”,
“Enter Sandman”, “Born in the USA”, and the
Meow Mix commercial.
• The selections collectively are known as “futility
music.”
• Most used song is…
Goals of Psychology
1. Observe and describe behavior
2. Explain the behavior through hypothesis
(“educated guess”)
3. Predict future behavior based on past results
4. Use acquired knowledge to solve issues
Assignment (50 points)
Due 03/15/2013
• Create a montage that in your mind shows the difference
between normal/abnormal behavior.
• One side normal, other side abnormal.
• Be prepared to explain why you put the images where you
did.
• No fewer than fifteen images a side, very little background
should show
• Grading:
15 pts: following format
25 pts: creativity
5: use of time
5: oral presentation
Psychology and the Scientific Method
• Psychology is a science. Therefore it employs
the scientific method.
1. Observation: Watch the behavior occur
Issue: Hawthorne Effect
2. Hypothesis
a. null
b. experimental
Scientific method, cont.
3. Results
4. Conclusions
5. Theory
Origins of Psychology
A. Ancient Greeks: humans are rational beings
Used observation as primary method to explain behavior
The formal study of psychology did not begin until 19th Century
B. Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920): Father of modern psychology.
- Wrote Principles of Physiological Psychology (1874), where he meant
to “mark out a new domain of science.”
Proponent of structuralism: breaking down what was to be studied
into its most basic parts
Wundt’s students help develop Psychology departments at Stanford,
Harvard, and Yale.
C. G. Stanley Hall (1846-1924): Establish first psychology lab in the U.S.
(Johns Hopkins), and first psychology journal.
Founded American Psychological Association
Origins, cont.
D. William James: One of the first American psychologists.
Believed that mental processes helped the human
species survive. Founder of functionalist school
D. Sir Francis Drake: Behavior is inherited.
E. Gestalt: German school of thought that focused on
how individual sensations form complete patterns
F. Psychoanalytic (Sigmund Freud): Behavior dominated
by unconscious urges that drive outward behavior
- Believed that people are truly unpleasant
- Dream interpretation
- Free association
Structuralism v. Functionalism
Issue: What is more important: investigating the
basic elements of psychology (Structuralism),
or its purpose (Functionalism)?
For Structuralism: Edward Titchener
For Functionalism: William James
Although both schools have faded away,
Functionalism influenced behaviorism and
applied psychology
Behaviorism
School of thought that psychology should only
concern itself on what can be objectively
observed.
A. John Watson: Is our behavior based on nature
(genetics) or nurture (environment)?
Watson: Nurture
B. B.F. Skinner: Continued Watson’s ideas, openly
questioned concept of free will. Believed that
behavior is shaped by consequences.
Humanism
• Emphasis on the uniqueness of humans, and
their capabilities for positive growth.
• Spearheaded by Carl Rogers and Abraham
Maslow (Hierarchy of Needs).
Psychologist v. Psychiatrist
• Psychologist:
- Has a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D)
- Cannot prescribe medication (generally, Louisiana and New Mexico are
exceptions)
- Often looks to solve mental health issues through counseling/non-medical
means
- Currently, seven states (including Hawaii and Utah) are considering
legislation allowing psychologists prescription rights (AMA News, 3/11)
Psychiatrist:
- Has a medical degree (M.D.)
- Can prescribe medication
- Often sees patients with severe mental-health issues
- Often looks to solve mental health problems through medical means
Other Mental Health Careers
• Psychiatric Nurse (RN)
• Substance Abuse Counselor
• Psychometrist
• School Psychologist (M.S./M.A.)