PSYCHOLOGY Scientific study of:

Human Behavior (Actions) Cognition (Thoughts) Affect (Feelings)

Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist? Psychiatrist = Medical Doctor (MD) Psychologist = PhD, Master’s level

PSYCHOLOGY INCLUDES: Perspectives On:

Instincts Genetics Learning Development

PSYCHOLOGY – EARLY ROOTS

Philosophy Thinking about thinkingAristotle – theories about learning, emotion,

motivation, etc.

BIRTH OF PSYCHOLOGY - 1879

Wilhelm Wundt (Germany) Established the 1st psychology laboratory 1st Experiments: measured time lag between hearing a sound and hitting a button Emphasis on introspection

Examining one’s own emotions and mental processes

PSYCHOLOGY BEGINNINGS

William James Wrote Principles of Psychology (1890) 1st widely recognized text of Psychology Introspective examination of stream of

consciousness and emotion

PSYCHOLOGY BEGINNINGS

Sigmund Freud (early 1900s) Psychoanalysis: Treating pathology through

dialogue between patient and psychoanalyst Theories on personality and the unconscious

mind Defense mechanisms (e.g., repression)

BEHAVIORISM (1920-1960)

Science viewed as rooted in observations Rejected introspection Can’t observe feelings and thoughts CAN observe people’s behavior (objective)

Famous Behaviorists: John B. Watson

Little Albert Study B.F. Skinner

Studied how consequences shape behavior http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepqpTtKbwo

HINDSIGHT BIAS

“Hindsight is 20/20” After learning the outcome of a situation, we

tend to believe that we knew what would happen all along

SCIENCE INCLUDES: Theory

Organizes and links observed facts Puts forth hypotheses that can be tested

Hypothesis A prediction that can be tested

Observation Identification/Description Experimental Investigation:

Scientific Method

Observations & Descriptions of Behavior Case Study

Freud Oliver Sacks – Neurologist Study one individual in great depth Hope is to gain information that can apply to all

(or many) of us Survey

Many cases but less depth People report their behaviors or opinions Wording effects Random Sample most accurate (each member of

the population of interest has equal chance of being included)

Observations & Descriptions of Behavior

Naturalistic Observation Watching & recording behavior in a natural

environment Informed Consent Issue Jane Goodall – Chimpanzee observations- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHO3Eo6mMy4

CORRELATION VS CAUSE/EFFECT Correlation: Relationship of two or more

variables. No Correlation Positive- Both variables change in same way Negative- Both variables change in different

ways Does not Demonstrate Causality

No Correlation

Positive Correlation Time increases & jump height increases

Negative Correlation Temperature decreases as elevation increases

CORRELATION AND CAUSATION Three possible cause-effect relations

could cause(1)

Low self-esteemDepression

(2)Depression

Low self-esteem

Low self-esteem

Depression

(3)Distressing events

or biologicalpredisposition

could cause

could cause

or

or

and

THE EXPERIMENT Experiment: one or more factor is

manipulated to observe the effect Groups

Experimental (receives the treatment) Control Placebo (e.g., sugar pill) Random Assignment – helps rule out alternative

explanations Double Blind Procedure

Both researchers & participants are “blind” about whether the participants have received the treatment or a placebo

Clever Hans (

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/11479-animal-intelligence-clever-hans-the-horse-video.htm)

Experimentation Independent Variable

the experimental factor that is manipulated the variable whose effect is being studied

Dependent Variable the experimental factor that is being measured in psychology it is usually a behavior or mental process may change in response to manipulations of the

independent variable REMEMBER: Correlational studies uncover naturally

occurring relationships. Experiments manipulate a factor to determine its effect.

Examples: Independent Variables (IV) & Dependent Variables (DV)

Researchers want to examine the effect of a positive behavior program on rates of referrals to the principal’s office. IV? DV?

A significant difference was found in the graduation rates of at-risk high-school seniors who participated in an intensive study program when compared to at-risk high-school seniors who did not participate in the intensive study program. IV? DV?