CHAPTER 1 AP PSYCHOLOGY OUTLINE

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CHAPTER 1AP PSYCHOLOGY OUTLINE

• An Introduction to Psychology

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DEFINING AND DESCRIBING PSYCHOLOGYDefinition
of Psychology  

• The scientific study of behavior and mind
• MIND refers to the contents and processes of
  subjective experience

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B.How to Study the MindInvestigating the Black
Box

• 1. Insight Approach Tell me how your mind
  works
• Problem Self report error
• 2. Physical Structure analyze and study the
  structures of the brain and body
• Problem The whole may work differently from the
  sum of the parts
• 3. Measurement use tests and procedures to
  describe the minds limits and abilities.
• The current approach of most psychologists

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 C. What Psychologists Do

• Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat
  psychological conditions/problems.
• Applied psychologists extend the principles of
  scientific psychology to everyday problems in the
  real world
• Research psychologists conduct experiments to
  discover the basic principles of behavior and
  mind
• Differences between a psychologist and a
  psychiatrist
• a. Psychologist may do testing/counseling, but
  usually cannot prescribe medication
• b. Psychiatrist a medical doctor who
  specializes in psychological problems and
  prescribes medication

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 II. EVOLUTION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL THOUGHT A.
Nature or Nurture Where does knowledge come
from?

• Empiricists (Nurture) knowledge is gained
  through experiences and the senses. We are born
  tabula rasa or with a blank slate.
• Ex. The Greek philosopher Aristotle
• 2. Nativism (Nature) people are born with
  innate or pre-existing structures for knowledge.
  This includes Gestalt Psychology
• Ex. The German philosopher Immanuel Kant
• 3. Darwin and Evolution (Nature) natural
  selection creates creatures who adapt and survive
  through solving problems better. Their offspring
  inherit these characteristics
• 4. Current thinking most psychological
  phenomena are the product of genes and the
  environment

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 B. Psychology Emerges as a Science

• 1. Structuralism We can understand the
  structure of the mind by breaking it down into
  its elementary components (like chemistry). Used
  Systematic Introspection to break down conscious
  experience. Wilhelm Wundt created the first
  psychological test lab in 1879.
• 2. Functionalism We can understand the mind by
  studying the function and purpose of mental
  activity. Emphasized survival and adaption.
  William James was an American psychologist who
  represented the functionalist view.
• 3. Behaviorism We should focus only on
  observable and measurable behavior in psychology.
  John Watson examined how changes in the
  environment affect behavior.
• 4. Modern Psychologists Observe behavior
  systematically, develop theories or hypotheses,
  then test them using the Scientific Method
• The roots of modern Psychology are in the
  studies of Philosophy and Physiology

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C. Early Influences of Women -

• 1. Mary Calkins The first female president of
  the American Psychological Association (APA) in
  1905
• 2. Margaret Washburn The first female to
  receive a Ph.D in Psychology. Wrote the book The
  Animal Mind in 1908

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D. Influence of the Clinic

• 1. Psychoanalysis Analyzed the contents of the
  mind to gain insight into psychological problems.
  Emphasized the unconscious determinants of
  behavior.
• a. Sigmund Freud The founder of
  Psychoanalysis who used dream analysis and free
  association to look for symbols or keys in the
  unconscious mind to understand psychological
  problems.

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• 2.Humanistic Psychology Emphasized the human
  potential for self-awareness, growth, choice and
  responsibility.
• a. Carl Rogers- Developed client-centered
  therapy in which the therapist acts as a friend
  and supporter to the patient instead of a judge
  or analyst
• b. Abraham Maslow Humanist psychologist who
  believed that humans are built for personal
  growth and seek their fullest potential.
  Developed Maslows Hierarchy of Needs.

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III. Understanding the Focus of Modern Psychology

1. The Eclectic Approach The current approach of
   most modern psychologists which involves adopting
   methods and ideas from a variety of psychological
   schools.
2. The Cognitive Revolution The shift away from
   Behaviorism in the 1950s due to the development
   of new research techniques and computers.
   Cognitive Psychology examines the internal mental
   processes and views the mind as an information
   processing system.

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• C. Developments in Biology Uses new technology
  and physiological recording devices to help us
  understand the biological underpinnings of
  behavior (Ex. MRI, CAT, EEG). New understandings
  in brain chemistry help us to develop new
  medications to treat psychological disorders.
• D. Influences of Culture We now recognize that
  culture exerts strong influences over behavior.
  Culture is defined as the shared values, customs
  and beliefs of a group of people.