Chapter 1
The word Psychology comes from the root words psyche and ology. The prefix “psyche” derives from mythology of Psyche, consequently translating to “soul” in Greek. The –ology meaning the scientific study of, together creating the meaning “to study the soul”. Specifically, Psychology is the scientific study of how people think, believe, and feel. Psychologists study everything about the human experience from the basic workings of the human brain to consciousness, memory, language, reasoning, to personality and mental health.
Dating back to the 19th century, the development of Psychology derives from pioneer psychologists Wilhelm Wundt and William James.
Wundt, a scientist emphasized structuralism, which focused on understanding the structure, and characteristics of the mind.
James drew from the functionality of cognitive processes, establishing functionalism, which emphasized how mental activities contributed to basic environmental survival.
Consequently, new psychologists emerged from these initial findings to establish a foundation of the study of psychology. This included Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, the sensory perception in Gestalt’s theory, studies of behaviorism from the works of Pavlov, Watson, and Skinner, and the humanistic branch of psychology from the works of Maslow and Rogers.
As a result of previous studies, the APA (American Psychological Association) was formed encompassing the furthering study and beneficial advancement of psychological research. From this, various sections of Psychology are branched out forming different studies as well as organizations or schools of Psychological studies.
Biopsychology and Evolutionary Psychology – Biopsychology primarily focuses on the bodily functions regarding the nervous, sensory, and motor systems and any possible psychological disorders that may relate to them.
Cognitive Psychology – Branch of psychology that focuses on cognition and thoughts.
Developmental Psychology – Developmental psychology studies the physical and mental attributes of aging and maturation. This can include how cognitive, social and psychological skills are acquired throughout growth.
Personality Psychology – Focuses on behaviors and thought patterns that are unique to each individual. Studies in this field include conscious and unconscious thinking and personality traits.
Social Psychology – How individuals interact and relate with others and how such interactions can affect behavior.
Social Psychology – How individuals interact and relate with others and how such interactions can affect behavior.
Health Psychology – Branch that focuses on how individual health is directly related or affected by biological, psychological, and sociocultural influences.
Sports and Exercise Psychology – Focus on psychological aspects regarding sports and physical performance. Study includes motivation, performance related anxiety, and general mental well being.
Clinical Psychology – Focuses on diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and problematic patterns of behavior. Study involves clinical therapy and counseling.
Forensic Psychology – Branch of psychology dealing with justice system. Tasks of Forensic Psychologists include assessment of individuals’ mental competency to stand in trial, sentencing and treatment suggestions, and advisement regarding eyewitness testimonies. This field of psychology requires a strong understanding of the legal system.
Occupations in Psychology can range from research and clinical therapy to corporate and marketing. Jobs regarding medical or academic branches of psychology generally require higher forms of education within the field.
Chapter 2
Research is a mandatory process in validating claims. Without research, we would only have intuition and groundless assumptions. Through research we are able to prove certain ideas through study and testing. Because Psychology is a science, research is required to not only further investigate something but provide verification and support of the findings.
Psychological research utilizes tools within the scientific method to process observations and claims made. The two processes work interchangeably.
In the process of inductive reasoning, new ideas are generated from empirical observations. Through this, general ideas are derived from observations made.
Deductive reasoning deduces from general ideas to create predictions to claims by testing real world observations.
Through these processes, certain claims derive from the ideas generated. A theory is a less refined set of ideas, more of a proposed explanation. A hypothesis is a more concrete claim, typically an if-then statement. This quality conceptualization in a hypothesis is what separates it from general ideas gathering.
Because the field of Psychology includes such a variety of research a variety of techniques are utilized to approach these areas of study.
Clinical or case studies focus on one individual. The studied individual is typically in a extreme or unique psychological circumstance that differentiates them for the general public. Because these cases are so distinct, it is difficult to rely on previous findings in that such cases require exclusive attention.
Naturalistic behavior is generally hidden under scrutiny or observation. To study the most accurate and genuine behaviors, naturalistic observation proven most effective. Through naturalistic observations, any feeling of performance or anxiety of the studied individuals is eliminated. Establishment of clear criteria to observe should help eliminate observer bias.
Surveys can be used to gather a large amount of data from a sample from a population.
Some more expansive subjects of research require a stretched period of time to measure changes or effects. Through longitudinal research, gradual differences can be studied through a more prolonged time of study. Cross-sectional, similar to longitudinal, quarters off expanse of time allowing sectioned observations rather than continual.
Varied techniques are not limited only to data collection. Analysis of collected findings can be approached differently as well.
Findings can be drawn from correlations found in the collected data. When two variables move in the same direction, a positive correlation is apparent. When two variables move in different directions, a negative correlation is found. It is important to keep in mind that any correlations found do not necessarily prove causation.
A hypothesis regarding cause and effect can be tested through experimentation. An experiment should include an experimental group receiving experimental manipulation and a control group that is not manipulated.
To eliminate any ambiguity or misinterpretation, operational definitions or clear descriptions should be established.
Because experimenter biases can be apparent, techniques such as single blind and double-blind can help eliminate any biases in researchers.
When findings are collected they are sorted between the independent variable, the manipulated findings, and the dependent variable, the measured effect of the independent variable.
Although experiments may require specific demographics, a random sample is used to ensure that the sample pool was selected randomly without any biased dispositions.
A statistical analysis is used to study any meaningful differences between the groups within the study.
Because psychological research is behavior based, a set of ethics and conduct is in order to ensure the wellbeing of participants. These apply to all human and animal research subjects.
Chapter 1, 2 and 11 of your e–textbook provides a thorough overview of the history, field, discipline, foundation, and study/research of psychology.
(1) As a reflection of your comprehension of Chapter 1, 2 & 11 write 2 comprehensive
summaries/paragraph per chapter (a total of 6 paragraphs/summaries) that captures 4–6 findings/concepts from each chapter that resonated or struck your interest.
(2) In a concluding paragraph (7th summary/paragraph) indicate what you would like to learn more about from the contents of these chapters, and your overall reflections of these three chapters.
(3) After completing your reflection, read and respond to 2 of your classmates reflections on this Discussion Board thread/forum.
