Lecture Notes on Psychology Class

Introduction to Psychology

• Complexity of Human Behavior
  • Human behavior has multiple causes (multi-determined).
  • Example: Trusting a stranger based on first impression.
• Science as a Method
  • Psychology employs scientific methods to study behavior.
  • Importance of asking questions and critical thinking.

First Impressions and Trust

• Trusting Strangers
  • Quick judgments based on initial interactions.
  • Positive behaviors (e.g., openness, friendliness) increase trust.
  • Insincerity and gossip reduce trust.

Human Behavior and Decision Making

• Altruism and Helping Behavior
  • Personal anecdote about deciding whether to help a stranger.
  • Importance of verifying information when asked for help.
• Line Behavior Study
  • People allow others to cut in line if given a reason.
  • Effective communication increases chances of being allowed to cut.

Memory and Recognition

• Facial Recognition
  • Quick, unconscious processing of strangers’ faces.
  • Verbal overshadowing can impair recall.

Complexity and Multi-determined Behavior

• Examples of Complex Behavior
  • Example of a person confessing to a crime they didn’t commit.
  • Multiple causes for behaviors like dropping out of college.

Perspectives in Psychology

• Diverse Theoretical Perspectives
  • Neuroscience, evolutionary, behavioral genetics, psychodynamic, cognitive, and socio-cultural perspectives.
  • Psychology’s diverse fields and applications.

Subjectivity and Human Experience

• Subjectivity in Perception
  • Personal background influences perception and attention.
  • Example of not noticing a theft due to distraction.

Relationship Between Science and Belief Systems

• Naturalism vs. Theism
  • Naturalism assumes a world based on natural principles.
  • Christian worldview posits a creator God and immaterial soul.
• Biblical Presuppositions
  • Creator God, immaterial essence, sinful nature, sanctification.
  • These presuppositions balance a purely materialistic view.

Conclusion

• Future Topics
  • Overview of who psychologists are and the history of psychology.
  • Discussion on the methods of psychology.

Biola University promotes biblically-centered education in various disciplines.