PSYCHOLOGY Scientific study of:
Human Behavior (Actions) Cognition (Thoughts) Affect (Feelings)
Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist? Psychiatrist = Medical Doctor (MD) Psychologist = PhD, Master’s level
PSYCHOLOGY – EARLY ROOTS
Philosophy Thinking about thinkingAristotle – theories about learning, emotion,
motivation, etc.
BIRTH OF PSYCHOLOGY - 1879
Wilhelm Wundt (Germany) Established the 1st psychology laboratory 1st Experiments: measured time lag between hearing a sound and hitting a button Emphasis on introspection
Examining one’s own emotions and mental processes
PSYCHOLOGY BEGINNINGS
William James Wrote Principles of Psychology (1890) 1st widely recognized text of Psychology Introspective examination of stream of
consciousness and emotion
PSYCHOLOGY BEGINNINGS
Sigmund Freud (early 1900s) Psychoanalysis: Treating pathology through
dialogue between patient and psychoanalyst Theories on personality and the unconscious
mind Defense mechanisms (e.g., repression)
BEHAVIORISM (1920-1960)
Science viewed as rooted in observations Rejected introspection Can’t observe feelings and thoughts CAN observe people’s behavior (objective)
Famous Behaviorists: John B. Watson
Little Albert Study B.F. Skinner
Studied how consequences shape behavior http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepqpTtKbwo
HINDSIGHT BIAS
“Hindsight is 20/20” After learning the outcome of a situation, we
tend to believe that we knew what would happen all along
SCIENCE INCLUDES: Theory
Organizes and links observed facts Puts forth hypotheses that can be tested
Hypothesis A prediction that can be tested
Observation Identification/Description Experimental Investigation:
Scientific Method
Observations & Descriptions of Behavior Case Study
Freud Oliver Sacks – Neurologist Study one individual in great depth Hope is to gain information that can apply to all
(or many) of us Survey
Many cases but less depth People report their behaviors or opinions Wording effects Random Sample most accurate (each member of
the population of interest has equal chance of being included)
Observations & Descriptions of Behavior
Naturalistic Observation Watching & recording behavior in a natural
environment Informed Consent Issue Jane Goodall – Chimpanzee observations- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHO3Eo6mMy4
CORRELATION VS CAUSE/EFFECT Correlation: Relationship of two or more
variables. No Correlation Positive- Both variables change in same way Negative- Both variables change in different
ways Does not Demonstrate Causality
CORRELATION AND CAUSATION Three possible cause-effect relations
could cause(1)
Low self-esteemDepression
(2)Depression
Low self-esteem
Low self-esteem
Depression
(3)Distressing events
or biologicalpredisposition
could cause
could cause
or
or
and
THE EXPERIMENT Experiment: one or more factor is
manipulated to observe the effect Groups
Experimental (receives the treatment) Control Placebo (e.g., sugar pill) Random Assignment – helps rule out alternative
explanations Double Blind Procedure
Both researchers & participants are “blind” about whether the participants have received the treatment or a placebo
Clever Hans (
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/11479-animal-intelligence-clever-hans-the-horse-video.htm)
Experimentation Independent Variable
the experimental factor that is manipulated the variable whose effect is being studied
Dependent Variable the experimental factor that is being measured in psychology it is usually a behavior or mental process may change in response to manipulations of the
independent variable REMEMBER: Correlational studies uncover naturally
occurring relationships. Experiments manipulate a factor to determine its effect.
Examples: Independent Variables (IV) & Dependent Variables (DV)
Researchers want to examine the effect of a positive behavior program on rates of referrals to the principal’s office. IV? DV?
A significant difference was found in the graduation rates of at-risk high-school seniors who participated in an intensive study program when compared to at-risk high-school seniors who did not participate in the intensive study program. IV? DV?
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