Overview
This lecture introduces major psychological theories, the goals of psychology, distinctions between psychologists and psychiatrists, research methods, and ethical guidelines in psychological research.
Introduction to Psychology
- Psychology is defined as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
- Chapter 1 covers historical theories and modern research methods in psychology.
- Use guided reading documents to focus your study on key concepts.
Major Psychological Theories
- Psychoanalytic Theory (Freud): Focuses on the unconscious and childhood experiences; includes psychosexual development.
- Behaviorism (Pavlov, Watson, Skinner): Studies observable behavior; Pavlov and Watson explored classical conditioning (learning by association); Skinner developed operant conditioning (learning via rewards and punishments).
- Humanistic (Rogers, Maslow): Emphasizes free will, self-actualization, and human potential.
- Cognitive: Examines how thinking drives behavior; compares thought processes to computers.
- Sociocultural: Behavior is influenced by social roles and cultural context.
- Biopsychological: Studies how genetics, brain chemistry, and biology affect behavior.
- Structuralism (Wundt): Uses introspection to explore basic elements of consciousness; first psychology lab in 1879.
- Gestalt (Wertheimer): The whole is greater than the sum of its parts; we perceive unified wholes, not isolated elements.
- Functionalism (William James): Mental processes help individuals adapt and survive; inspired by Darwin’s theory of evolution.
Goals of Psychology
- Description: Observing and describing behavior (e.g., more females teach elementary school).
- Explanation: Understanding and explaining why behaviors occur.
- Prediction: Forecasting future behaviors.
- Control: Attempting to change or influence behaviors.
Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist
- Psychologist: Holds a PhD; may provide therapy, research, or teach.
- Psychiatrist: Completes medical school; can prescribe medication and manage mental health medically.
Research Methods in Psychology
- Scientific Method: Used to reduce bias; involves question, hypothesis, test, conclusion, and reporting.
- Descriptive Research: Includes surveys (quick, cheap, but subject to dishonesty), case studies (detailed analysis of a single case, not generalizable), and observations (lab/artificial or naturalistic/real-life).
- Correlational Research: Examines relationships between variables; correlation does not imply causation.
- Formal Experiments: Test causation using experimental and control groups, independent (manipulated) and dependent (measured) variables.
Ethical Guidelines in Research
- Participant rights and well-being come first.
- Participation must be voluntary with the right to withdraw at any time.
- Deception must be justified and explained during debriefing.
- No physical or psychological harm should come to participants.
- Animals used in research must be treated humanely.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Introspection — self-examination of thoughts and feelings.
- Classical Conditioning — learning by association (Pavlov, Watson).
- Operant Conditioning — learning via rewards and punishments (Skinner).
- Self-actualization — reaching one's full potential.
- Correlation — a relationship between two variables.
- Causation — one variable causes a change in another.
- Independent Variable — the variable manipulated in an experiment.
- Dependent Variable — the variable measured in an experiment.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Use guided reading to focus on main concepts during studying.
- Prepare for example-based exam questions by connecting concepts to real-life scenarios.
- Review differences between key research methods and major psychological theories.