PSYCHOLOGY CHAPTER 1 – WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?

SSPFR1: The student will explain selected historical and contemporary perspectives and practices of psychologists.

EQ 1: What is involved in the study of Psychology?EQ 2: What are the fields of study in Psychology?

I. Why study Psychology?Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

• To better understand why people behave as they do.• To learn more about thoughts and feelings.

A. Behavior and Mental Processes1. Behavior – any action other people can observe

or measure.

a. Includes overt or obvious actions as well as

things like automatic body functions.2. Private Mental Processes or cognitive activities

take place in a person’s mind and are not observable.

3. Emotions/Feelings – also studied and can affect both behavioral and mental processes.

B. Goals of Psychology1. A better understanding of behavior enables

psychologists to explain, predict, and control behavior.

C. Psychology as a Science1. Psychology is a social science but it also has roots

in natural science as well.a. Social Science – deals with the structure of

human society and the nature of the individuals who make up society.

b. Natural Science – reflected in psychology in the study of the brain and scientific research.

2. Psychological Theoriesa. Psychologists organize their ideas into

theories: * Theories are statements that attempt to

explain why things are the way things are. * May include statements about behavior,

mental processes, and biological processes.

II. Types of PsychologistsA. Clinical Psychologists

1. Largest group of psychologists.a. Help people with problems like: * anxiety * depression * schizophrenia * relationships * drug abuse * weight controlb. Trained to evaluate problems using

interviews and psychological tests.c. Usually work in hospitals, prisons, college

clinics, and private practice.

B. Counseling Psychologists1. Also use interviews and tests to treat

patient’s problems.2. Typically treat people with adjustment problems rather than serious psychological issues.3. Usually work in businesses or university

counseling and testing centers.

C. School Psychologists1. Identify and help students who have problems

that interfere with learning.

2. Typical problems include:a. Peer group and family problemsb. Psychological problemsc. Learning disorders

3. Advise teachers, school officials, and parents on how to help certain students overcome their learning difficulties.

D. Educational Psychologists1. Concerned with helping students learn.2. Generally focus on course planning and

instructional methods for entire school systems.E. Developmental Psychologists

1. Study changes that take place throughout the life span.

a. Physicalb. Emotionalc. Cognitived. Social

2. Also study how heredity and environment affect development.

F. Personality Psychologists1. Identify characteristics of traits.

G. Social Psychologists1. Study behavior in social situations.2. Issues they study include:

a. Ways women and men behave in certain situations.

b. Physical/Psychological factors that attract people to each other.

c. Reasons people conform to group standards/

expectations.

d. How behavior changes when people are members of a group.

e. The reasons and effects of prejudice and discrimination within various groups as well as between groups.

f. Situations in which people act aggressively and those in which they help others.

H. Experimental Psychologists1. Conduct research into basic processes.2. Some focus on relationships between biological

changes and psychological events – biological psychologists

3. Most likely to conduct basic research – research\ with no immediate application; done for its own sake.

I. Other Specialists1. Industrial and Organizational Psychology – focus on

people and work.2. Environmental Psychology – focus on how people

influence and are influenced by their environment.3. Consumer Psychology – Study shopper behavior to

explain and predict how they will act.4. Forensic Psychology

a. Testify about a defendant’s ability to stand trial.

b. Work with police departments to:* help select police officers* help officers cope with job stress* train officers to handle situations such

as suicide threats, hostage crises, and family violence.

5. Health Psychology – Examine how behavior and mental processes are related to physical health.