Chapter 1

What is Psychology?

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Chapter Preview

Defining Psychology

Psychology in Historical Perspective

Contemporary Approaches to Psychology

What Psychologists Do

Science of Psychology and Health and Wellness

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Psychology: Defined
Psychology is the scientific study of
behavior and mental processes.
Three Key Components

science systematic methods

behavior what can be directly observed
mental processes thoughts, feelings, motives
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Science of Psychology

Critical Thinking

Skepticism

Objectivity

Curiosity

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Psychology A General Science

Psychology is not limited to the study

of psychological disorders.
Freuds view of human nature
positive psychology

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Narcissism Epidemic
Narcissismunusually self-confident,
self-assertive, and self-centered.
Generation born since 1980s
More narcissistic than early generations
vs.
Attitudes have been stable over time
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History of Psychology
Western Philosophy
Biology and Physiology
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920)

1879 established 1st psychology lab

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Wundts Structuralism

identified structures of the mind

introspection

systematic, detailed self-reports

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James Functionalism

identified the functions and purposes

of the mind

stream of consciousness

human interactions with outside world

why is human thought adaptive?

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Psychology and Evolution

Charles Darwin
On the Origin of Species, 1859

Natural Selection

competition for resources

genetic characteristics that promote
reproduction and survival are favored
environmental changes alter course of
evolution
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Contemporary Approaches
Current Psychological Perspectives
Biological
Behavioral
Psychodynamic
Humanistic
Cognitive
Evolutionary
Sociocultural
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Biological Approach
The biological approach focuses on the
brain and nervous system.

Neuroscience

study of the structure, function, development,

genetics, biochemistry of the nervous system
thoughts and emotions have physical basis in brain
allowed psychologists to better understand the brain

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Behavioral Approach
The behavioral approach focuses on the
environmental determinants
of observable behavior.

Notable Behaviorists

John Watson
B.F. Skinner
rejected thought processes

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Psychodynamic Approach
Psychodynamics emphasizes

unconscious thought
conflict between biological drives and
demands of society
early childhood family experiences

Psychoanalysis - Freud

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Humanistic Approach
Humanists emphasize
positive human qualities
capacity for positive growth
free will
Humanistic Theorists
Carl Rogers
Abraham Maslow
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Cognitive Approach
The cognitive approach emphasizes the
mental processes involved in knowing.
Information Processing
how humans interpret incoming info, weigh it,
store it, and apply it

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Evolutionary Approach
The evolutionary approach uses ideas such
as adaptation, reproduction, and natural
selection to explain human behavior.
Evolutionary Psychologists

David Buss
Leda Cosmides

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Sociocultural Approach

examines how social and cultural

environments influence behavior and mental
processes

studies differences between ethnic and

cultural groups within and across countries

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Careers in Psychology

Practice / Applied

Research
Teaching

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Areas of Specialization

Physiological Psych / Behavioral Neuroscience

Sensation and Perception
Learning
Cognitive Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Motivation & Emotion
Psychology of Women & Gender
Personality Psychology
Social Psychology
Industrial / Organizational Psychology
Clinical & Counseling Psychology
Health Psychology
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Areas of Specialization
Also (but not addressed in text beyond this chapter)
Community Psychology
School & Educational Psychology

Environmental Psychology
Forensic Psychology
Sport Psychology

Cross-Cultural Psychology

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Career Settings in Psychology

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Influence of Culture
Individualistic Cultures

individuals viewed as unique and distinct

from their social group
value independence

Collectivistic Cultures

emphasize social group and the individuals

role within that group
value interdependence
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Influence of Culture
Individualistic subjects

prefer to work on tasks that they have had

previous success with
like to emphasize their successes

Collectivistic subjects

prefer to work on tasks that they have

difficulty with
self-critical view
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Science of Psychology and

Health and Wellness
Mind-Body Connections

how the mind impacts the body

how the body impacts the mind

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Chapter Summary

Explain what psychology is and how it differs from an everyday, informal approach to understanding human nature.

Discuss the roots and early scientific foundations of

psychology.

Summarize the main themes of the seven approaches to

psychology.

List some of the areas of specialization and careers in

psychology.

Describe the connections between the mind and the body.

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Chapter Summary
Defining Psychology

scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Historical Foundations of Psychology

origins in philosophy and physiology

structuralism Wilhelm Wundt
functionalism William James
evolutionary theory Charles Darwin

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Chapter Summary
Contemporary Approaches to Psychology

current approaches complementary

Specializations and Careers in Psychology

practice, research, teaching

academic, clinic, private practice, industry, school

Science of Psychology and

Health and Wellness

mind-body connection is a two-way street

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