Lecture 1

Introduction to Psychology (PT10103)

WeBex Cisco
Monday (2.00-6.00 PM)

PT10103
Introduction to Psychology
Dr. Getrude Cosmas – getrudec@ums.edu.my
Faculty of Psychology and Education, UMS
 SECTION 1, 2 and 3

Your tutorial is based on your SECTION, please refer to your instructor for the
tutorial registration

SECTION 1: DR GETRUDE COSMAS

Section 2 – HA16 Youth & Community Development prog (UH6311002) – 55 students
Section 4 – HA20 Child and family (UH6311004) – 60 students

SECTION 2: DR NURUL HUDANI MD NAWI

Section 1 – HA13 Industrial and Organizational (UH6311001) – 50 students
Section 5 – HA52 Social Work (UH6762001) – 60 students
Section 7 – HT19 Early Child Education (UH6145002) – 45 students

SECTION 3: DR CARMELLA E. ADING

Section 3 – HA19 Counseling (UH6311002) – 55 students
Section 6 – HT06 TESL (UH6311004) – 657students
 SYNOPSIS

This course provides knowledge of psychology. Topics featured in

this course include: introduction and perspective of psychology,
research methods in psychology, the biological bases of behavior,
sensation and perception, memory, learning theories, cognition and
language, personality, developmental psychology, stress and health,
motivation and emotion, psychological disorders, and concepts
used in Social Psychology.

OBJECTIVES
To provide understanding to the field of psychology.
To get knowledge such as the history of psychology, the main
goals in psychology, psychological theories, neuroscience and
biological foundations of behavior and research method in
psychology.
To enhance students’ understanding to the field of psychology as
the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Course content:
Week 1 – Introduction to psychology? – history, goals, research
methods and research ethics.
Week 2 – Biological bases of behavior – Neuron structure and
functions, neuronal communication and central nervous
system and peripheral nervous system.
Week 3 – Sensation and perception – sensory and perception
processes.
Week 4 – Consciousness – level of consciousness, sleep, sleep
disorders and theories of dream.
Week 5 – Learning – classical conditioning, cognitive & observational
learning
Week 6 – Memory – Types of memory (Traditional view of memory)
Week 7 – Cognition (thinking, intelligence) and language – artificial
intelligence, types of thinking, theory of intelligences,
language and thought.
Week 8– Motivation and emotion - theories of motivation and
emotion.
Week 9 – Developmental psychology - prenatal development,
physical, cognitive and motor development and theory of
Kubler-Ross (death and dying theory).
Week 10 – Personality - psychoanalytic theory, social perspective, and
humanistic theory.
Week 11 – Stress and health – sources and types of stress, and coping
skills.

Week 12 – Psychological disorders -main types of disorder (anxiety,

somatoform, mood, schizophrenia and personality disorders).
Week 13 – Psychological therapies – Drug therapy, psychotherapy,
behavior, psychoanalytic, humanistic, behavior, cognitive
therapies.
Week 14 – Social Psychology – attribution, intimate relationship,
aggression, prosocial personality, attitude and behavior.
References
Ciccarelli S. K., & White J. N.(2020).Psychology (6th Ed.). USA:Pearson
(RM88.00)
Comer, R., & Gould, E. (2013).Psychology (2nd Ed.). USA: John Wiley and Sons
Coon, D., & Mitterer, J.O. (2010). Introduction to Psychology (12th ed.).
Belmont, CA: Cengage.
Feist, G.J., & Rosenberg, E.L. (2010). Psychology: Making Connections. New
York: McGraw-Hill.
Feldman, R.S. (2009). Understanding Psychology (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-
Hill.
Asmawati Desa, Getrude Cosmas, Mariny Abdul Ghani, Siti Rozaina Kamsani,
Noor Azniza Ishak, Nabisah Ibrahim & Mohd Makzan Musa. (2014).
Pengantar Psikologi.KL: SJ Learning (RM60.00)
Huffman, K., Vernoy, M., & Vernoy, J. (2009). Psychology in Action (7th ed.).
Singapore: Wiley.
King A. L. (2013). The Science of Psychology: An Appreciative View (2nd Ed.).
New York: McGraw Hill Company
Morris, V.G. & Maisto. A.A. (2008). Understanding Psychology (9th ed.). New
Jersey: Prentice-Hall. Wade, C., & Tavris, C. (2008). Psychology (9th ed.).
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
For students who interested to get a copy of the
main psychology textbook
Please contact Nicholas: 016-8265747
or can go to the bookshop
Address
Zenithway bookshop
Lot E3 Cyber square
Lorong Cyber Square 2, Jalan Lintas Kepayan

English version
Ciccarelli S. K., & White J. N.(2020).Psychology
(6th Ed.). USA:Pearson (RM96.00 - excluding
postage (RM15-20)

Malay version
Asmawati Desa, Getrude Cosmas, Mariny Abdul
Ghani, Siti Rozaina Kamsani,
Noor Azniza Ishak, Nabisah Ibrahim & Mohd
Makzan Musa. (2014). Pengantar Psikologi.KL: SJ
Learning (RM60.00)
PT10103 course evaluation:
Group assignment (Question 1 and 2) (4 persons)

Question 1 – 20 %
Question 2 - 20 %

Mid-term exam (online quiz) - 20%

Final exam (continuous assessment) - 40 %

Total score - 100

 Week 1
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

• Defining Psychology.

• Psychology’s goals.

• Psychology in Historical Perspective.

• Contemporary Approaches to Psychology.

• What Psychologists Do?

• Research Methods in Psychology.

Misconceptions about Psychology.....

✓ Psychology is easy.
✓ Psychology is just common sense.
✓ Can read people's mind.
✓ Psychology in Malaysia has no future.
✓ Cannot make money in this field.
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and
mental processes.

Three Key Components (SBM)

Science – systematic methods.
Behavior – what can be directly observed (overt
actions).
Mental processes – thoughts, feelings, motives (covert).

Critical thinking, skepticism, objectivity and

curiosity…
Children are born psychologists. They constantly enquire about
the reason for things.

Why other people are behaving they way they do?

Why is daddy laughing?

These questions about other people’s feelings invite a

psychological answers (Howie,2013).
In order to understand other people’s behavior we need to know
what is going on inside their heads.
Pseudopsychology
Pseudopsychology - systems of explaining
human behavior that are not based on or
consistent with scientific evidence (do not follow the
guidelines of the scientific method).

Phrenology – reading bumps on the skull.

Palmistry (Chiromancy)- reading palms (by looking at the lines on

palm of their hand)

Graphology – analysis of personality through handwriting.

Pseudopsychology vs. psychology
Psychology’s goals: Describe, Explain, Predict and Change

1. To describe a particular behavior by making careful observation

(What does occur?). E.g. Do inner strengths (e.g., resilience and religious faith)
can lift university students’spirit during the pandemic particularly during the first
phase of MCO? Describe - four keywords; resilience, faith, pandemic and MCO?

2. Explanation – (Why this it happen ?

Why focus on resilience and religious faith? Emphasis on the effect of resilience on
students’happiness and the effect of religious faith on resilience.

3. Prediction – answering “what's and whys” – Researchers predicted that university

students‟ resiliency will contribute to the variance of happiness, while religious faith
will contribute to the variance of resiliency.

4. Change – Applying psychological knowledge to prevent unwanted

outcomes. The findings may give self-reflections to students and relevant authorities
on the importance of resiliency and religious faith in coping with the coronavirus
hardships.
Psychology’s
Check this linkgoals: Describe, Explain, Predict and Change
: https://doi.org/10.18662/po/11.2/155

1. To describe a particular behavior by making careful observation

(What does occurred?). E.g. People prefer to be balance in their
relationship in giving and receiving. What does it means?

1. Explanation – (Why this it happen ?

Why people emphasis on the importance of reciprocity in their
relationship?

3. Prediction – answering “whats and whys” – we predict that people

will show less in relationship satisfaction when they are inequitable in
relationship.

4. Change – applying psychological knowledge to prevent unwanted

outcomes. People maintain their relationship by keeping balance in
their relationship.
Psychology‟s goals: Describe, Explain, Predict and Change
DEPC
1. Describe -What is gratitude ?
Gratitude is being aware of and thankful for the good things happen in
your life.

2. Explanation– The effects of gratitude?

Past studies (e.g. Witvliet, Richie, Luna & Tongeren, 2018; Meherunissa,
2016) revealed that gratitude can bolster present happiness and life
satisfaction.

3.Prediction – Gratitude may enhance one's happiness and

hopefulness.
4.Change/Control – Train people to be grateful even a small thing.
 Psychology in Historical Perspective
Field Pioneer Research focus
Experimental Wilhelm Wundt (Father of Study about the
Psychology Psychology) – established the workings of brain
(1870-1880) first psychology lab at University (Objective
of Liepzig, Jerman (1879) Introspection –
- Published a book – The looking inside)
principles of physiological of
psychology
Structuralism Edward Titchener (1867 – 1927) Identifying the
(1890) How brought the idea’s of Wundt to structures of the
are the US, Discovered the basic human mind (e.g.
elementary elements, or structures, of mental mind consists of
contents, the processes memories.
structure of the - Margaret Washburn – the first Introduce – empathy
human mind ? female received a Ph.d in (einfuhlung – feeling
into) 1909
Psychology – Titchener’s student.
Field Pioneer Research area
Functionalism William James (a Focus on how individuals
(1890) physiologist - use their perceptual
What and why published a book abilities to adapt and
people do it ? “Principles of function in their
Psychology”. environment.
Human interactions with
- Mary Whitton outside world.
Mary – the first Calkins- completed How people work, play and
female course and adapt to their
president of the requirement for surroundings?
American earning Phd but was
Psychological denied by Harvard Influenced the modern
Society in fields of:
University because of
1905. Educational psychology
she was a woman
Industrial/organizational
psychology
Contemporary approaches to psychology
Field Pioneer Research focus
Biological Johannes Study of the structure, function,
approach Muller, Roger development, genetics,
Neuroscience Sperry, James biochemistry of the nervous
Olds system (understand more about the
brain).

Behavioral Pavlov, Scientific study of observable

approach Thorndike, behavior (reward/punishment can
John B. affect behaviour (less focuses on
Watson, thoughts/feelings). Emphasizes
Skinner unconscious thought and early
Psychodynamic childhood family experiences.
approach – Neo- Less emphasis on sexual drives
Freudian(1895 – Freud,Jung,
Adler dan and more on cultural and social
present)
Karen Horney experiences as determinants of
behavior.
 Contemporary approaches to psychology
Field Pioneer Research focus
Humanistic Maslow, Rogers Emphasizes on person’s positive
approach qualities (positive growth and
freedom to choose one’s
destiny).
Cognitive Piaget, Sternberg,
approach Emphasizes on the mental
Howard Gardner,
Bandura processes (attention, remember,
think and solve problems).
Focus on the evolutionary ideas:
Evolutionary Charles Darwin,
adaptation, reproduction, and
approach Konrad Lorenz,
natural selection as the basis for
explaining specific human
Sociocultural John Berry, Patricia behaviors.
approach Greenfield & Focus on social and cultural
Brislin factors.
The development of contemporary psychology in Asia

The development of psychology in Asia started in 1900s. The research

and study of psychology in Asian countries has been primarily an
implant of the ideas and theories of Western Psychology. Taking little
account of the traditional wisdom and knowledge in Asian history and
culture.

China

Chinese Psychological lab was built in 1917 and the Chinese

University textbook was written by Chen in 1918. The development of
psychology in China became dormant from the 1930s onward.
However after the end of Cultural revolution in 1976 (open-door
policy), it marked a new era in the development of psychology in
China.
The development of contemporary psychology in Asia

Japan

Contemporary psychology was first introduced in Japan during

the Meiji restoration. The first psychology course was taught at
the Tokyo Kaisei School. Amane Nishi first translated the
western psychologybook texts into Japanese (Shinringaku) 'the
science of mind'. The first Japanese Psychological Association
was founded by Matsumoto.

India

Psychology was brought during the British Colonial (1857-

1947). Psychology gradually gained recognition as a scientific
study in India in 1920s.
The development of contemporary psychology in Malaysia
Among asian countries, Malaysia is the fifth country to start formal
psychology after Bangladesh, India, China and Taiwan. It started
with the establishment of psychology departments in the local
universities such as UKM, UPM and UM.

School of Psychology and human development (UKM) has a long

standing tradition as one of the leading psychology expertise in
Malaysia. At the beginning of its existence in the 1970s, psychology
was under the Department of Anthropology and sociology, Faculty
of Arts, National University of Malaysia.

In 1974, Psychology program produced its first batch students in

psychology.
Specialties in psychology
Biopsychology Relationship between biology and mental processes.
/neuroscience
Clinical Specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment
Psychology of mental and behavioral disorders.

Cognitive Examines ‘higher’ mental processes (thought,

psychology memory, intelligence, creativity and language).

Social Investigate the role of social forces and interpersonal

psychology behavior including aggression, prejudice, love,
helping, conformity and attitudes.

Counseling Overlaps with clinical psychology but generally

psychology works with adjustment problems that are less severe,
including marital, behavioral or academic.
Developmental Studies the course of human growth and
psychology development.
Educational Psychological development of children in the
psychology school environment.

Experimental Examines processes such as learning,

psychology conditioning, motivation, emotion in humans
and other animals.
Gender and/or How males and females and different cultures
cultural psychology differ from one another and how they are
similar.

Industrial and Applies the principle of psychology to the

organizational workplace.
psychology
Psychology and the Scientific Method
Scientific method - system of gathering data so that bias and error in
measurement are reduced.

Steps in the Scientific Method:

1. Perceive the question.
2. Form a hypothesis – tentative explanation of a
phenomenon based on observations. (Hypothesis – A
statement of predicted relationship between 2 or more
variables).
If _____[IV] _____, then _____[this]_____ will
Happen (DV).

3. Test the hypothesis.

4. Draw conclusions.
5. Report your results so that others can try to replicate.
 Research Methods in Psychology
Dependent variables (DV)– he variable that is measured to see how it
is changed by manipulations in the independent variable.
Independent variables (IV) – The variable that is manipulated to test
Its effects on the other, dependent variables.
Children who frequently talk with their parents (IV) will be
more attached to their parents (DV).

Students with high IQ scores (IV) usually earn higher CGPA

in university (DV) but lower in soft skills (DV).

The more you eat (IV), the more you gain weight (DV).

Hypothesis – A statement of predicted relationship between

two or more variables.
Research methods in psychology
1. Naturalistic observation/ Observations of real-life situations
Also known as field study, involves going into the community to
observe and record the behavior of people engaged in natural
settings rather than in the lab. Two types – Intervention and without
intervention.
Observer effect- tendency of people
behave differently from normal
Observer bias- tendency of observers to
see what what they expect to see.

2. Case studies
Psychologist conduct an intensive investigation of a person or
group in order to draw general conclusions about behavior. E.g.
Jean Piaget developed a comprehensive theory of cognitive by
carefully studying each of his three children as they grew and
changed during childhood.
 Survey Method
• Surveys – researchers will ask a series of questions about the topic under
study.
• Given to a representative sample - randomly selected sample of subjects
from a larger population of subjects.
• Population - the entire group of people or animals in which the researcher is
interested.
• Advantages:
• Data from large numbers of people.
• Study covert behaviors (emotion, personality).

• Disadvantages:
• Have to ensure representative sample (or results not meaningful).
• People are not always accurate (courtesy bias).
E.g., Have there been occasions when you took advantage of someone?
Have you ever cheated in a relationship?
Random Sampling from Population

INFERENCE

POPULATION

SAMPLE

Menu
Correlational design
Correlation coefficient ranges from –1.00 to +1.00.
Closer to 1.00 or -1.00, the stronger the relationship between the
variables.
No correlation = 0.0. Perfect correlation = -1.00 OR +1.00.
Positive correlation – variables are related in the same direction.
– As one increases, the other increases; as one decreases, the
other decreases. ↑ and ↑ … or … ↓ and ↓
• Students who ask questions frequently, tend to have higher
score in PT10103.

Negative correlation – variables are related in opposite direction.

As one increases, the other decreases. ↑ and ↓ … or … ↑ and ↓
- Students who always skip classes, tend to have lower grade
in PT 10103
5. Experimental research

Experimental methods let researchers investigate cause-effect

relationships by controlling or carefully manipulating particular
variables to note their effects on other variables.

Experimental group – the group subjected to a change in the

independent variable.

Control group – the group not subjected to a change in the

independent variable.
Experimental Group

Test for Differences

Control Group
Sample
Experimental research
The effectiveness of Traffic Psychology Program (TPM) –to increase
awareness on road-safety.
Group 1 (experimental) ----joined the TPM(manipulated)
Group 2 (control) ------no TPM (no manipulation)
If Group A achieving higher in road safety awareness than group B, is
it because of the TPM?
Ethics in Psychological Research
Ethics committees - groups of psychologists or other professionals who look over
each proposed research study and judge it according to its safety and consideration
for the participants in the study.
(e.g., Study 1 - Psychological well-being and nature exposure (Approval code:JKEtika1/21
(38) Medical Research Ethics Committee, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UMS;
Study 2 – Nurses preparedness, readiness, and anxiety in managing COVID-19 Pandemic -
Medical Research and Ethics Committee, Ministry of Health Malaysia (Approval Code: NMRR-
20-1494-55626 (IIR) and The Medical Research Ethics Committee of Faculty of Medicine and
Health Sciences (Approval Code: JKEtika 3/20 (13))
Common ethical guidelines
1.Informed Consent – Participants are told what kinds of tasks they may be
expected to perform and what kinds of situations they may expect to encounter,
with specific qualifications for the use of deception.
2. Debriefed - Investigator must debrief participants, telling the true nature of the
study and expectations of results.
3. Confidentiality –Data must remain confidential.
4. Participants may withdraw from the study at any time.
5. Research with human/nonhuman animals – Ensure the subject/animals are
protected from harm or discomfort.