Introduction to Psychology

1. Introduction to Psychology Making you smarter, one unit at a time…

2. Psychology Defined…. “Scientific study of behavior, mental processes, and the factors that influence these processes.” The purpose of studying psychology…..to understand ourselves and the behaviour of others

4. Early “Thoughts” about Psychology Greek Philosophy • Developed idea each person’s body had four fluids or ”humours” (blood, phlegm, melancholy, choler) Blood: Cheerful, active part Phlegm: Calm and passive part Melancholy: Gloomy part Choler: Anger and Bad Temper Part • Believed that different combinations • of these fluids caused different • personality types

5. Chakra Therapy • Ancient Indian Sanskrit believes that the body and mind are closely interconnected. • The body is divided up into 7 areas, each of these areas are controlled by the mind and thoughts we emit.

6. Psychology and Chakras The goal is to keep each chakra clear. When you have a psychological disorder it affects one chakra or several at one time. When your chakras are affected it becomes difficult for you to function and could also lead to other diseases. Affected chakras also tell alot about your psychological disorders. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9WndBBdq4M

7. Early “Thoughts” about Psychology Hippocrates • Lived 460-377 BCE known as the “father of modern medicine” • Noted people with brain injuries acted differently than most people • Concluded through observation, brain was source of our pleasures, joys, laughter, jests, as well as sorrows, pains, grief, and tears

8. Early “Thoughts” about Psychology John Locke • Lived 1643-1704, one of the great enlightenment thinkers • Argued the mind receives information from the senses, turns this information into complex ideas in the brain and then draws certain conclusions….an idea widely accepted today in modern psychology

9. Branches of Psychology Structuralism • Founded by William Wundt (1832-1920), Leipzig, Germany • Tried to observe inner workings of the mind by conducting experiments on sensation, perception, attention • Asked people to practice Introspection….examine their thoughts and describe everything that goes through their minds • Short lived branch of psychology, marked arrival of psychology as a scientific discipline

10. Branches of Psychology Functionalism • Founded by William James (1842-1910) • Believed mental characteristics had developed just like physical characteristics allowing people to adapt to their environments ensuring their survival • Studies down outside lab to see how people act everyday • Studied dev. Of children, how learning and education can be improved and how men and women behaved differently

11. Branches of Psychology Psychoanalysis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiBy9MmK4jY • Developed by Sigmund Freud (1865-1910) • Started as medical doctor studying nervous system and soon came to conclusion nerve problems not physical in origin but stemmed from the unconscious • Process to uncover patient’s unconscious thoughts by encouraging them to discuss background, feelings, and experiences with trained psychologist • Has become a major branch of psychology and well known by all, especially ideas of subconscious, ego, dream analysis, and “slips” of the tongue

12. Branches of Psychology Behaviorism • Developed by John Watson (1878-1958) • Believed in order to be scientific, can only study what can be observed (since we can’t observe the mind, we must observe behavior) • At same time Freud was conducting his experiments • Study how individuals react to environment because all behavioral responses are result of environmental stimuli

13. Branches of Psychology Humanism • Developed in the 1950s as a reaction against the dominance of behaviorism and psychoanalysis • Humanists focus on unique qualities of human beings particularly their freedom and potential to grow • Argued people are not dominated by their drives, emotions, or environment but rather they can take control of their own lives bcuz they have the ability to make their own choices

14. Branches of Psychology Cognitive Psychology • Study of mental processes involved in memory, learning, thinking • Focus on researching the brain and its processes • Use electronic monitoring of brain activity to learn more about the parts of our brain that are active when we talk, laugh, watch a movie, etc. • Popular from 1950s onward with advances in computer technology and artificial intelligence

15. Type of Work Psychologists Do Applied Psychology • To apply psychological knowledge to a particular environment, such as schools or industry • Work onsite in factories, schools or other institutions Clinical Psychology • To use psychology to help people define and deal with their problems • Ex: psychoanalysts, counselors, therapists who work in mental health clinics or private practice. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv0gvM_EZTI Research Psychology • Further the field of knowledge • To discover new knowledge through research, study, and are affiliated with a university

16. Clearing your Chakras Close your eyes and experience guided meditation… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwY1_X74OKE&feature=related