The History

1
The History Scope of Psychology
2
Psychology

• What does it mean?

OR
Inner sensations- mental processes
Observable behavior
3
Psychology A Definition

• The science of behavior and mental processes.

4
Psychologys Big Issues
Stability v. Change
Continuity v. Discontinuity
Nature v. Nurture
5
Stability v. Change

• As the years pass, do we change or remain the
  same?
• Are we become adults or are we always just big
  kids?
• Personality traits, physical appearance, sense of
  humor, tastes, etc

6
Continuity v. Discontinuity

• Does growth occur gradually or in stages?

7
Nature v. Nurture

• Biology versus Experience
• Am I the way I am because I was born that way or
  because of my surroundings?

Can I ever be like these people, or does nature
give me limitations?
8
Psychologys Perspectives
The Big Seven
9
Neuroscience Perspective

• Focus on how the physical body and brain creates
  our emotions, memories and sensory experiences.

If you could not remember the names of your
parents and went to a psychologist who adheres
to the neuroscience perspective, what might they
say?
10
Evolutionary Perspective

• Focuses on Darwinism.
• We behave the way we do because we inherited
  those behaviors.
• Thus, those behaviors must have helped ensure our
  ancestors survival.

How could this behavior ensured Homers ancestors
survival?
11
Psychodynamic Perspective

• Fathered by Sigmund Freud.
• Our behavior comes from unconscious drives.
• Usually stemming from our childhood.

What might a psychoanalyst say is the reason
someone always needs to be chewing gum?
12
Behavioral Perspective

• Focuses on our OBSERVABLE behaviors.
• Only cares about the behaviors that impair our
  living, and attempts to change them.

If you bit your fingernails when you were
nervous, a behaviorist focus on how to stop you
from biting your nails.
13
Cognitive Perspective

• Focuses on how we think (or encode information)
• How do we see the world?
• How did we learn to act to sad or happy events?
• Cognitive Therapist attempt to change the way you
  think.

Meet girl
Get Rejected by girl
Did you learn to be depressed
Or get back on the horse
14
Social-Cultural Perspective

• Focus on how your culture effects your behavior.

Even in the same high school, behaviors can
change in accordance to the various subcultures.
15
Humanistic Perspective

• Focuses on positive growth
• Attempt to seek self-actualization
• Therapists use active listening and unconditional
  positive regard.

Mr. Rogers would have made a great Humanistic
Therapist!!!
16
Psychologys Subfields