Introduction
to
Psychology
What is Psychology?
 A Social Science (1 of the 7 social sciences)
 Rooted in the “Natural Sciences” (deal with the physical
world i.e. physics, chemistry, biology, etc.)
Definition: Scientific Study of Behavior
and Metal Processes
The Breakdown:
• Behavior any human action that observable
and measurable
The Breakdown:
• Mental Processes  things humans can do with their
mind (i.e. dreams, perceptions, thoughts,
memories, beliefs, reason, emotion, etc.)
What about the unobservable?
 Psychological Constructs: theories or concepts which
are NOT observable
 How to use:
• By asking questions
• Getting feedback
• Research
Goals of Psychology:
Observe
 Describe
Behavior and Mental Processes
In order to…
 Explain
 Predict
 Control
Assignment:
1. Copy the “Truth or Fiction” statements on p.4 in
your textbook onto the bottom of these notes.
2. Read Chapter 1 by Wednesday August 20th
3. Determine if the statements are “Truth or Fiction”
AND state why.
4. Be prepared for a Reading Quiz