Overview
This lecture introduces foundational psychology concepts, major psychological theories, research methods, and ethical guidelines, emphasizing key distinctions and practical applications for chapter one.
Structure of Chapter One
- The chapter is divided into two main parts: historical theories and research methods.
- Use the guided reading document to focus your note-taking and studying.
Major Psychological Theories
- Psychoanalytic (Freud): Focuses on the unconscious and childhood experiences, including psychosexual development.
- Behaviorism (Pavlov, Watson, Skinner): Emphasizes observable behavior; Pavlov and Watson—classical conditioning (learning by association), Skinner—operant conditioning (learning by rewards and punishment).
- Humanistic (Rogers, Maslow): Focuses on free will, motivation, and self-actualization (fulfilling potential).
- Cognitive: Studies how thinking and mental processes drive behavior, likened to computer processing.
- Sociocultural: Examines how social roles and culture influence behavior.
- Biopsychological: Explains behavior as a result of genetics, brain chemistry, and biological factors.
- Structuralism (Wundt): Uses introspection to examine conscious experience; Wundt founded the first psychology lab.
- Gestalt (Wertheimer): Holds that "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts."
- Functionalism (James): Investigates how mental processes help individuals adapt and survive.
Four Goals of Psychology
- Description: What is happening? (e.g., more females teach elementary school)
- Explanation: Why is it happening?
- Prediction: What will happen in the future?
- Control: How can behavior be changed?
Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist
- Psychologist: Has a Ph.D.; may practice therapy, teach, or do research; cannot prescribe medication.
- Psychiatrist: Has a medical degree; can prescribe medication and may do therapy or research.
Research Methods in Psychology
- Scientific Method: Steps—identify a question, form a hypothesis, test hypothesis, draw conclusions, report results.
- Descriptive Research: Describes behavior through surveys, case studies (in-depth info on one case), lab observation, or naturalistic observation.
- Lab observation: Controlled but artificial.
- Naturalistic observation: Real-life but subject to observer effect and bias.
- Correlational Research: Examines relationships between variables but does not prove causation (correlation ≠ causation).
- Experimental Research: Tests causation using:
- Experimental group (receives treatment/IV)
- Control group (no treatment)
- Independent variable (manipulated)
- Dependent variable (measured outcome)
Ethical Guidelines in Psychology Research
- Participants’ rights and well-being come first.
- Participation must be voluntary and participants can withdraw at any time.
- Deception is allowed but must be explained (debriefed) afterward.
- Researchers are responsible for preventing harm to participants.
- Animals must be treated humanely if used in research.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Psychoanalytic theory — Focuses on unconscious drives and childhood experiences.
- Behaviorism — Study of observable behavior and learning processes.
- Humanistic psychology — Emphasis on free will and self-actualization.
- Cognitive psychology — Study of mental processes driving behavior.
- Scientific method — Systematic process to reduce research bias.
- Independent variable — The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.
- Dependent variable — The variable being measured; depends on the IV.
- Experimental group — Group exposed to the independent variable.
- Control group — Group not exposed to the independent variable.
- Correlation — A relationship between two variables (not causation).
Action Items / Next Steps
- Use the guided reading document while reviewing chapter one.
- Focus study on key terms, main theories, and research methods.
- Prepare for exam questions using real-life examples and scenarios.
- Review differences between psychologists and psychiatrists.
- Read upcoming textbook sections as indicated in guided reading.