psychology hypothesis scientific method structuralist functionalist psychoanalyst behaviorist

Øpsychology hypothesis Øscientific method structuralist Øfunctionalist psychoanalyst Øbehaviorist cognitivists Øhumanist psychologist Øpsychiatrist Øclinical psychologist Øcounseling psychologist

q. Create a list of at least 10 questions (about anything. . . you, your friends, family, animals, the world, etc. ) that you think the study of psychology can help

Have you ever wondered. . . Why do I like the people, food, or music that I like? Or, why do I not like certain things or have an irrational fear of certain things (like _____ (you fill in the blank)? Why do I get down or up when my favorite song comes on the radio? Why did I cheat on my test. . . my boyfriend. . . my girlfriend. . . my diet? Why do I get so tired or maybe bored in a class? (not in here, right? ) Do my dreams really mean anything?

v. Psyche – “the soul” v. Logos – the study of a subject v. The scientific study of behavior & mental processes (everything we

Explain the following (p. 10 – 11): 1. Description – 2. Explanation – 3. Prediction – 4. Influence – 1. Describe/gather info about behavior being studied 2. Explain why people behave as they do (propose as hypotheses) 3. Predict what will be done & what they think or feel in various situations (study past to predict future) 4. Influence behavior in helpful ways by conducting studies

§ Psychologists rely on the scientific method § Identify a problem/questio n § Formulate a hypothesis § Collect data through observation &

2 EARLY SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT: 1. William Wundt (1832 -1920) – University of Leipzig, Germany – Established modern psychology as a separate field of study – A structuralist • Study/observe the basic elements that make up conscious mental experiences • “What goes on inside our minds”

2. William James (1842 -1910) – “Father of psychology in the United States” – A functionalist • Study/investigate the function or purpose (not structure) of consciousness & behaviors & how people adapt to their environments

1 st psychologists were interested in understanding the conscious mind New, contemporary approaches emerged: • Sigmund Freud (1856 -1939) – A psychoanalyst – Emphasized how unconscious (outside awareness) motives & conflicts influence behavior – Used free association technique

• John B. Watson (1878 -1958) – A behaviorist – Analyze how organisms learn/modify their behavior based on responses to events (stimuli) in the environment – Psychology should only concern itself only w/ the observable facts of behavior – All behavior is a result of conditioning

o Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, Rollo May – Response to the behaviorists – Humans are not controlled by events in the environment or unconscious forces – Each person has freedom in directing his/her future & achieving personal growth

üJean Piaget, Noam Chomsky, Leon Festinger • Cognitivists • Study how we process, store, retrieve & use information • Focus on thinking, language, problem solving & creativity • Behavior influenced by perceptions, memories &

Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist: What’s the difference? • Psychologist – scientist who studies the mind & behavior • Psychiatrist – a medical doctor who treats people w/ mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders; can prescribe medication or operate on patients

q The 2 most popular: 1. Clinical psychologists Ø Help people deal w/ personal problems Ø Treat people w/ emotional disturbances Ø Work in private offices, mental hospitals, prisons & clinics 2. Counseling psychologists Ø Advise & assist people w/ problems of everyday life

Copy & complete the following chart: Type of Psychologist School psych. Social psych. Developmental psych. Educational psych. Community psych. Industrial/organizational psych. Environmental psych. Psychobiologists Forensic psych. Health psych. Experimental psych. Job Description