PsychologyChapter1.txt

Human and animal behavior and mental processes.

• Empirical evidence: It uses observation and testing (scientific method)
• Critical thinking: Synthesis and analysis of info and suspension of personal opinion.

• Psychics, mediums, etc. Notable pseudopsychologies are
• Phrenology: Franz Gall - Study of bumps in the skull as ways to determine intelligence and personality - lead to mapping of areas in the brain and their functions.
• Mesmerism: Franz Mesmer - Forerunner of hypnosis.

To describe, explain, predict, and change behavior and mental process through the use of the scientific method.

• Clinical
• Counseling
• Eduational
• Experimental
• Industrial

• Wilhelm Wundt (Germany)
• "Father of psychology"
• Interested in how we form sensations, images, and feelings.

• Edward Titchener
• Tried to identify basic building blocks, or structures, of mental life through introspection and then to determine how these elements combine to form the whole of experience.
• Introspection was limited, could not be used to study animals, children, or serious mental disorders.
• Structuralism failed.

• William James was leading force.
• Studied how the mind functions to adapt humans and other animals to their enviroments.
• Strongly influenced by Darwin.

• Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic: Unconscious processes and unresolves past conflict.
• Behavioral: Objective, observable enviromental influences in overt behavior.
• Humanistic: Free-will, self-actualization, and human nature as naturally positive and growth-seeking.
• Cognitive: Thinking, percieving, problem solving, memory, language, and information processing.
• Neuroscientific/Biopsychological: Genetics and biological processes in the brain and nervous system.
• Evolutionary: Natural selection, adaptaion, and evolution of behavior and mental processes.
• Socialcultural: Social interaction and the cultural determinants of behavior and mental processes.

• Mary Calkins: First female president of the APA.
• Margaret Washburn: First female to recieve a Ph.D. in psychology.
• Francis Sumner: First black to recieve Ph.D. in psychology.
• Kenneth and Mamie Clark: Their research into harmful effect of prejudice influenced Supreme Courts ruling against segregation.

• Basic research: Research done to advance scientific knowledge.
• Applied research: Designed to solve practical problems.

• Literature Review: Read published info on subject of interest.
• Testable hypothesis, operationally defined: Make testable hypothesis, and state variables in precise measurable terms.
• Research Design: Chose best way to test hypothesis and collect data.
• Statistical Analysis: Analysis on raw data to determine if it supports or rejects hypothesis. Organize, summarize, and interpret data.
• Peer-reviewed scientific journal: Write study and results and submit to journal for critical evaluation.
• Theory: After one or more studies on a topic a theory to explain results is made, possibly leading to new hypothesis.

• Informed consent: Participants agreement to partake in a study after being told what to expect.
• Debriefing: Informing participants after study about purpose of study, nature of results, and any deception used.

• Experimental: Identifies cause/effect. Allows contol over variables. Ethical concerns and artifical conditions.
• Descriptive: Observation, surveys, case studies. Minimizes artificiality, easier to get data. Little control over variables.
• Correlation: Statistical analysis of relationship b/w variables. Helps clarify relationships and predict. Cannot identify cause and effect.
• Biological: Study of brain and nervous system. Many advantages of other 3 methods. Same with disadvantages.

• Survey: Skim, note titles of chapters, sections.
• Question: Write down questions you want answered.
• Read: Focus, look for answers to your questions.
• Recite: Summarize short sections into your own words, comapre to text.
• Review: Go over your questions, and any review questions at the end of the chapter.
• wRite: Write a final summary in your own words.