Introduction to Psychology:A Christian Perspective

Global Institute of Theology 1

Level MQF/EQF 5License-2013-FH1026

PSY3013

Unit One -Psychology as a Behavioral Science

Lesson One -Psychology as a Art and Science

Introduction

What do you think Psychology is?

Is Psychology compatible with Christianity?

Why do you really want to study Psychology?

Lesson Objectives1. Define psychology.2. List and explain the goals of psychology.3. Explain the specific criteria used in a research design.4. Discuss three kinds of psychological research.5. Describe the data-collecting methods of psychologists.6. List the steps in progressing from basic research to practical

application.7. Discuss cautions when reading psychological literature.8. Identify the varied services of psychologists.9. Trace the history of psychology from ancient Greece to the

present.

Lear

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Your Objectives

• List what personal objectives you have for:1. the class in general2. this lesson in particular

?

Objective 1:Define Psychology

Definition of Psychology

• Originally• “the science that studies the behavior of man and other

animals”• For the purposes of this study

• “Psychology is the art and science of studying human behavior and mental processes.”

• My Preference• “the scientific study of the mental processes as they relate to

human behavior with an end toward understanding, modifying, and/or predicting such behavior.”

Definition of Psychology

• Which of the three definitions you can relate to a Christian approach to Psychology?

• Why?How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb?

Just one, so long as the light bulb *wants* to change.

Schematic model of human behavior

Schematic model of human behavior

Schematic model of human behavior

Schematic model of human behavior

Schematic model of human behavior

Schematic model of human behavior

Schematic model of human behavior

Practical identification for our definition of psychology

• “Psychology is the art and science of studying human behavior and mental processes.”

• “Psychology is the scientific study of the mental processes as they relate to human behavior with an end toward understanding, modifying, and/or predicting such behavior”

Objective 2:List and Explain the goals of psychology

Goals of psychology

Originally, the goals of psychology were limited to three:

to understand human behavior

to predict human behavior

to control human behavior.

Goals of psychology

• However, many contemporary theorists question if control is a legitimate goal of psychology.

• They prefer to substitute “helpful alteration of human behavior” as a goal of psychology.

• Results of psychological research should focus on helpfulness to the subject

• rather than rigid control that might limit a person’s freedom of choice and / or movement.

Goals of psychology

Goals of psychology are:

to understand human behavior

to predict human behavior

to modify human behavior

Goals of psychology

How does the Holy Spirit help in these areas? Understand Predict Modify

Human behavior

Objective 3Explain the specific criteria used in a research design

The Scientific Method in Psychology•Research reproducible in another place at another time by a different researcher.

Replication:

•Sufficient confirmation of research findings and free from all bias.Reliability:

•Precise statement of a definition.Definiteness:

•All-inclusive statements with a single meaning or interpretation.Coherence:

•Broad statement that includes all appropriate shades of meaning. Comprehens-iveness:

Objective 4:Discuss three kinds of psychological research

Types of Research

• Basic (pure) research • is the foundation of science; its goal is discovery of new

knowledge. • Applied research

• takes basic research a step further by focusing on answers to specific questions and discovering how the information can help people.

• Practical application • goes another step further by actually implementing the findings

of basic and applied research in treatment and instruction.

Objective 5Describe the data-collecting methods of psychologists

Methods of Collecting Data

• Methods of how Psychologists collect data about individuals and/or groups

• Naturalistic observation • involves observing subjects in their natural habitat

without their awareness or knowledge.• Interviewing

• requires a researcher to record answers to predetermined questions asked of subjects in the research study. The results are then compiled into a descriptive report.

Methods of Collecting Data

• Testing and evaluation • uses standardized tests and inventories for such activities as

school or job placement, evaluation, or treatment plans.• Surveys and questionnaires

• effectively glean and summarize the opinions of a group of individuals.

• Correlation • is a statistical method of determining the relationship

between two variables, such as the correlation between a student’s reading ability and his or her grades.

Methods of Collecting Data

• Case histories • are a compilation of observations made by various members

of the healing team (psychiatrists, psychologists, professional counselors, pastoral counselors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and so forth) to devise a treatment plan.

• The experimental method • involves controlled experiments with a select group of

subjects. Half of the sample becomes the control group, and the other half becomes the experimental group. The experimental method is more precise and can discover information that would not be available by less rigorous forms of data collection.

Objective 6List the steps in progressing from basic research to practical application

The steps of Research

• Hypothesis• Research begins with the researcher’s belief that two

variables might share a relationship which has not been empirically proven.

• To test the relationship, the researcher starts by forming a hypothesis, the statement of an assumption or question involving the variables.

The steps of Research

• Theory• Once the hypothesis is stated, giving direction, the

research begins. When the experimenter finds more evidence supporting the hypothesis than invalidating it, he or she proposes a theory.

The steps of Research

• Generalization• Generalizations are developed out of conclusions derived

from theory and research that state or imply a relationship between two or more variables.

• That is, the experimenter forms generalizations when the hypothesis has been developed as a theory and practical applications are made for its implementation.

• The hypothesis is treated as though it is true even though the data may be conflicting.

The steps of Research

• Principle • A principle is a statement of actions to be taken upon the

research findings (generalizations). • For instance, scientific research has resulted in many laws

of learning that are then stated in the form of principles and applied to human learning.

Objective 1:7Discuss cautions when reading psychological Research

Cautions in Reading Psychological Research• Contamination

• The investigator knows the predicted nature of the relationship between the variables and has control over both.

• Reconstruction through retrospection• A researcher describes past events with no supporting data.

• Poor definition of concepts• The investigator has not defined concepts clearly and

concisely.

Cautions in Reading Psychological Research• Direct influence of the investigator

• The presence of the investigator unwittingly influences the results.

• Sampling errors• The researcher fails to measure all of the intended

sample.• Unsound generalizations

• The investigator writes as though findings are more significant than they actually are.

Objective 8Identify the varied services of psychologists

What Psychologists Do

• See page 27 in your IST• Prayerfully highlight the areas that you may think you need

to give attention, so that you can serve your ministry better.

Objective 9Trace the history of psychology from ancient Greece to the present

The History of Psychological Thought• Time does not allow us to study this unit effectively.

• However, your instructor will highlight three important psychologist who have strong biblical influence in their thinking.

• It will benefit the students to study these psychologists and their Christian approach, even if some of them were not in the Christian faith.

• There are some Christian leaders that think that psychology and the Bible do not agree.

• We will soon see if this is so.

• Your instructor’s recommendation:

• Abraham Harold Maslow• Hierarchy of needs

The History of Psychological Thought

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all things shall be

added to you

I have come to give you life in its fullness

• Everett L. Shostrom• Actualization based not on

perfectness, but the healing love and power of God who can transform the entire being.

The History of Psychological Thought

• Orval Hobart Mowrer• Emphasized

psychotherapy based on honesty, responsibility, and other biblical moral values such as self-control.

The History of Psychological Thought

• Rollo Resse May• A Methodist pastor who

worked with existential ideas and helped to support basic spiritual considerations (which lacked in American psychology).

The History of Psychological Thought

If you do not express your own original ideas,

if you do not listen to your own being,

you will have betrayed yourself

Biblical Examples of Psychological Concepts

Personal ObjectivesIdentify Scriptures which discuss psychological concepts.

The Mental Process

• Attitudes, prejudices, and opinions are formed in the mental processes.

• If we can learn how man thinks, we can begin to understand how and why he acts the way he does.

Prov 23:7For as he thinketh within himself, so is he (ASV)

For as he thinks in his heart so he is (AMP)for as he calculates in his soul, so is he (ESVST)

The Mental Process

• There are still many people who think that psychology refers to attempt to control the individual. This is not true.

• It is the duty of every believer to guide one’s thinking on those issues of eternal values.

Col 3:1-2 ff1 If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the

things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things that are above,

not on the things that are upon the earth.

The Mental Process

• There are those who still think that trying to help people change their thinking is discrediting the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit.

• INDEED, Christ DOES change the nature of man in the experience of conversion.

• Nevertheless we must then study to show ourselves approved. We must study the Word and then ourselves by self examination (1 Cor 10:12; 13: 5)

The Mental Process

Phil 4:8-9

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

New International Version

Conclusion to Lesson 1

• Jesus understood the behavior of man. He called chosen people to train them to become leaders of the early church.

• Today He still saves people in all areas of secular activity.• It is Christ who changes sinners into saints.• To understand ourselves and others, and how we behave, is

really a way of knowing how to best use our talents and abilities for the glory of God.

Conclusion to Lesson 1

• Jesus Clearly taught us to “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works (behavior) and glorify your Father in Heaven” (Matt 5:15).

• Therefore, we must first change our own environmental press/mold, and then help others to change their attitudes, prejudices, and opinions and conform them with those of Christ.

End of Lesson 1Introduction to Psychology:

A Christian Perspective

Global Institute of Theology 55

Level MQF/EQF 5License-2013-FH1026

PSY3013