Introduction to Psychology

Definition and Scope

• Psychology is more than just the study and treatment of psychological disorders.
• Encompasses therapy, research in various fields like child development, mental illness, neuroscience, etc.
• Psychology: scientific study of behavior and mind (conscious experience).
  • Behavior: Observable actions (words, gestures, biological activity).
  • Mind: Contents of conscious experience (sensations, perceptions, thoughts, emotions).

Scientific Approach

• Systematic gathering and evaluation of empirical evidence.
  • Systemic: Performed according to set rules/conditions.
  • Empirical: Evidence that can be verified/disproved by observation or experiment.

Types of Research

• Basic Research: Knowledge for the sake of knowledge (e.g., cephalopods' vision).
• Applied Research: Solving specific problems (e.g., creating underwater robots).
• Translational Research: Applying basic research to solve problems.

History of Psychology

• Before the 1870s: Philosophers and physiologists explored the mind and brain anatomy.
• Mind-body problem: How can we study the unobservable mind?
• Mind-Body Dualism (Descartes): Mind and body as separate entities.
• Monism: Mind and body as one interconnected system.
• British Empiricism: Knowledge is gained through senses, leading to scientific method.

Evolution of Psychology

• 1879: First experimental psychology laboratory established by Wilhelm Wundt in Germany.
• Structuralism vs Functionalism:
  • Structuralism: Analyzing consciousness into basic elements.
  • Functionalism: Investigating the function or purpose of consciousness.

Major Schools of Thought

• Behaviorism: Focus on observable behavior. Important figures: John B. Watson, B.F. Skinner.
  • Radical behaviorism: Environment as sole factor controlling behavior.
• Cognitive Revolution: Shift away from behaviorism, focus on mental processes.
• Socio-Cultural Perspective: Influence of social environment and cultural learning.
• Biological Perspective: Brain processes and bodily functions regulating behavior.
• Psychodynamic Perspective: Influence of the unconscious mind (e.g., Freud).
• Humanism and Positive Psychology: Emphasizes free will, personal growth (e.g., Maslow, Rogers).

Psychology in Canada

• 1891: First experimental laboratory by James Baldwin at the University of Toronto.
• Key figures: Brenda Milner, Donald Hebb.

Cultural and Diversity Considerations

• Ethnocentrism: Viewing one's own group as standard.
• Late 1980s: Shift towards incorporating cultural factors in research.
• Importance of intersectionality in understanding cultural influences.

Contemporary Psychology

• Not mutually exclusive perspectives; can complement each other.
• Challenges: Predicting behavior, accounting for individual differences, cultural influences.

Major Themes in Psychology

• Empirical nature of psychology: Knowledge acquired through observation.
• Theoretical diversity: Development of theories to explain empirical facts.
• Socio-historical context: Society influences psychology and vice versa.
• Nature vs. Nurture: Behavior influenced by heredity and environment.

Course Information

• Assignments due Fridays of the respective weeks.
• Achieve platform access instructions to be provided.