An Introduction to An Introduction to a Diverse Sciencea Diverse Science

What is the definition of Psychology?

The scientific study of the normal and abnormal behavior and mental processes of human and non-human animals, in all settings, from conception to death.

The scientific study of…

Experiments Case Studies Correlational Studies Naturalistic Observations Survey research

…the normal and abnormal…

Just several categories of psychological disorders:

Anxiety (e.g. OCD) Mood (e.g. Depression) Psychotic (e.g. Schizophrenia)

…behavior and mental processes…

Behavior:

Learning Development Group

dynamics Obedience Conformity

Mental Processes:

Memory Thinking Language Sensation Perception

…of human and non-human animals…

Some non-human animals we’ll study:

…in all settings…

…from conception to death.

What are Psychology’s

Goals?

Like other sciences, Psychology seeks to…

1. Describe2. Explain3. Predict4. Control… the events it studies.

DEPC

• Identify a behavioral phenomenon’s characteristics

• Understand why the behavioral phenomenon occurs

Note: Psychology’s modern perspectives

What are the circumstances that can lead to the phenomenon?

What might be the consequences of this behavior?

Examples

The Bystander Effect The Spacing Effect The “Lucifer” Effect

See Zimbardo’s Prison Study

• Reduce/Enhance or Change a behavior or mental process

Answer the following questions with your

group:

Describe: What are the major behaviors & mental processes of senioritis?

Explain: What are the major reasons senioritis occurs?

Answer the following questions with your

group:

Predict: When will it happen? What will happen?

Control: What can be done to reduce senioritis?

What do Psychologists DO?

1)Engage in research (Pure or applied)

Pure(Basic) = no immediate applications

Applied = Done to find solutions to problems

Pure Research to Applied Research: The “Skinner Box”

What do Psychologists DO?

2) Practice psychology• They apply psych.

principles to help others.3) Teach psychology• Some take part in all 3

What types of behavior do they study?

2 types of human and animal behavior:

Overt (external & observable) and covert (internal & non-observable) behaviors.

What are the different types of psychologists?

Examples:

1) Clinical2) Counseling3) School4) Educational5) Developmental

Examples [cont.]:

6) Personality7) Social8) Environmental9) Experimental10) Industrial/Organizational

Examples:

11) Human factors12) Consumer13) Health14) Sports15) Comparative

Note:

U.S. Dept. of Labor:

Occupational Outlook Handbook

, 2010-11 Edition