Exploring Human Behavior and Psychology

Oct 1, 2024

Notes on Psychology Lecture

Introduction to Psychology

  • Broad Question: What comes to mind when you think of psychology?
    • Responses included:
      • Brain
      • Behavior (human behavior)
      • Soul
      • Perspectives
      • Sleep patterns
      • Psycho (as in psychoanalysis)
      • Mind games
      • Personality
      • Perception and reality
      • Hierarchy of human needs
      • Nature vs. nurture
      • Mental illnesses

What is Psychology?

  • Psychology is about understanding both human and animal behavior.
  • Commonalities in responses:
    • Mind and humanness
    • Understanding behaviors and motivations

Addictions and Pleasure Centers

  • Rats are often used in research for studying addiction.
    • Example Study: Rats addicted to pleasure will prioritize stimulation over basic needs (food/water).
  • Discussion on personal experiences with addiction:
    • Contrast between the speaker's experience and those of friends who became addicted.

Observing Human Behavior

  • Question: How many enjoy watching people?
    • Responses indicate that observing behavior is a common interest.
  • Reasons for Watching People:
    • Gauge own behavior against others.
    • Understand personalities through actions.
    • Observe social interactions and treatment of others.

Psychological Insights from Observations

  • Psychology involves gaining insights about oneself through watching others.
  • Key Insight: People can often accurately remember faces encountered previously.
  • Example: A waiter interaction recalled within 24 hours.

Memory and Eyewitness Testimony

  • Discusses the reliability of eyewitness testimony:
    • Case Study: Jennifer's wrongful identification of an attacker.
    • Problematic factors: Overthinking and using logical reasoning can distort memory.

Factors Influencing Human Behavior

  • Humans often respond more quickly to negative emotions (e.g., anger) than positive ones (e.g., happiness).
  • Psychological studies on line-cutting behavior:
    • People often allow cutting in line if there is a reason given.

Applications of Psychology

  • Psychology can be applied to real-world situations:
    • Understanding helping behaviors.
    • Legal implications of eyewitness testimonies.
  • Examples of experiments showcasing human behavior:
    • Bystander Effect: People are less likely to help in emergencies if others are present.

Conclusion

  • Psychology is a science focused on understanding behavior through observation and research.
  • It helps gain insights into human nature, aiding in personal and collective growth.