INTRODUCTION TO

PSYCHOLOGY

PREPARED BY: OJASHWEE UPRETY

 PSYCHOLOGY

The scientific study of behavior and

the mental process that is tested
through scientific research.
The field is scientific in that
approaches (should be systematic in
approach) to studies are done orderly
and systematically in order to obtain
objective evidence.
 PSYCHOLOGY

Psychologists study overt and covert behavior.

 The overt behaviors are observable behavior,
while covert behaviors include private mental
processes that cannot be directly observed or
measured and must be inferred from overt
behavior.
Examples of overt behaviours are; laughing,
walking, eating, gestures, facial expression etc
and covert behaviour include the following;
Perceiving, remembering, reasoning, thinking,
creating, feelings etc
 GOALS OF PSYCHOLOGY

Psychologists seek to do four things when

studying behaviors:
Describe: What is the nature of the behavior? It
gathers information on studied behavior and
present what is known.
Explain: Why does it occur? Creating a
hypothesis (educated guess) to understand why a
behavior is practiced.
Predict: By studying past behaviors, future
behaviors can be predicted based upon theory
Control behavior: What factors influence the
behavior? Influence- using what is known to
influence future behavior.
 HISTORICAL APPROACH TO
PSYCHOLOGY

Structuralism – Study of basic elements that

make up human experiences.
Wilhelm Wundt – In 1879, used people’s self
observations about their thoughts (introspection)
to map out structure of the thought process.
Functionalism – study of the function or how
people & animals adapt to environment. William
James – known as the “father of psychology”
taught first psych class in 1875 and wrote first
textbook in 1890. He was concerned with
ongoing conscious experience and the functions
of mental processes. His views gave rise to the
branch of psychology called Functionalism.
 HISTORICAL APPROACH (Cont’d)
Inheritable Traits – study of how heredity
influences a person’s ability, character, and
behavior. Is behavior determined by heredity or
environment?
Sir Francis Galton – Concluded that
intelligence was hereditary / good marriages
would supply the world with talented offspring.
(1883).
Gestalt Psychology - Perception is more than
the sum of its parts – it involves a whole
pattern. German group that picked apart
cognitive thought process.
HISTORICAL APPROACH (Cont’d)

Contemporary Approaches to Psychology

(mid 1900’s to Present)
Psychoanalytic Psychology- study of
unconscious motives & conflict determine
behavior. Sigmund Freud – used free
association and dream analysis to study behavior
(1940).
Behaviorism – Study of how organisms learn or
change behavior based upon responses to events
in their environment. (Early-mid1900’s). it held
the view that only overt behavior can be studied
scientifically. They advocated the use of strict
experimental procedure in psychology.
 Contemporary Approaches to
Psychology (mid 1900’s to Present)

Strict behaviorists believed that all behaviours

are shaped by the environment. “Give me a
dozen healthy infants, well-formed,…..
regardless of his talents, penchants,
tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his
ancestors”…….John Watson.
Ivan Pavlov – Classical conditioning
experiment with dog’s salivation.
B.F. Skinner – Introduced concept
reinforcement to show how behaviors repeat.
John B. Watson –Behavior occurs due to
stimuli in environment.
 Contemporary Approaches

Humanistic Psychology – Belief that each

person has freedom in directing his/her future
an achieving personal growth. Humans are not
controlled by environment, but by their own
self concept. Humans are not being controlled
by unconscious or environmental forces, we
have free will, goals, aspirations and other
positive motives which should be studied. It is
influenced by Carl Rogers.
Abraham Maslow – Humanist whose views
differed from behaviorists and psychoanalysts.
 Contemporary Approaches

Cognitive Psychology – Study of how we

process, store retrieve, and use information
and how the thought process influences our
behaviors. (since 1950’s). Jean Piaget –
leader in the cognitive field of psychology.
Biological Psychology – study of how
physical and chemical changes in our bodies
influence behaviors. Explains the brain,
nervous system, hormones effect on behavior.
Sociocultural Psychology – study of
cultural and socioeconomic influences on
behaviors
 BRANCHES OF PSYCHOLOGY

These branches are broadly divided into

two categories;
Basic Branches: This provides the
theoretical framework of the subject. These
branches deals with formulation of
principles, theories and suggest different
methods for the assessment of behaviour.
 The pure branches also suggest certain
techniques for the modification of
problematic behaviour.
 BRANCHES (Cont’d)
General psychology: It explains various
psychological processes such as sensations,
perception, emotions, learning, intelligence,
personality etc.
Developmental psychology: It explains the growth
and development of various processes in relation to
behaviour. It explains human life through the stages
of conception to old age.
Child psychology: Childhood extends from 2 to 12
years. This is a crucial period in the life. Future life
depends upon development during childhood.
Growth and development will be rapid during this
stage. Child psychology deals with these aspects.
 BRANCHES (Cont’d)
Physiological psychology: This branch
describes the biological basis of behavior.
Animal psychology: It deals with behaviour of
animals.
Social psychology: It deals with
interrelationships of people among themselves,
likes and dislikes of people, attitudes and
interests.
Experimental Psychology – studies sensation,
behavior, perception, learning, motivation, and
emotion in controlled laboratory conditions.
Parapsychology: Some of the psychological
experiences are beyond the reach of 5 sense
organs. This is the reason why they are called
Extra-sensory perceptions (ESP)
 BRANCHES (Cont’d)

Applied branches deals with the application

of psychological principles and techniques for
approaching the problems in different fields of
life.
Clinical Psychologist- Diagnoses and treats
people with emotional disturbances (about ½
of all psychologists are clinical).
Counseling Psychologist- Help people deal
with problems /challenges of life.
Educational Psychologist – Study topics
related to educating children such as
intelligence, memory, and problem solving.
 BRANCHES (Cont’d)

Community Psychologist – Studies

behavior in mental health or social welfare
institution in order to design run or
evaluate programs for patients.
Industrial/Organizational Psychologist –
Studies concepts to make the workplace
more satisfying for employees and
managers.
 BRANCHES (End)

Forensic Psychologist – Studies, diagnoses,

and evaluates testimony regarding the law
and criminal behavior (Also includes effects
of court on children, jury selection,
counseling victims)
Sports Psychology- Studies athletics and
athletic performance. Often use visualization
to help athletes mentally rehearse successful
steps in completing tasks while reducing
negative thoughts of failure.