1.1 What is Psychology
1.1.1 Psychology and Science
A Short History of Psychology - Watch the following video and try and write down the big
Watch the Youtube clip about the history of Psychology on the website and add information to our historical timeline on the development of Psychology.
Aristotle (4th Century BC) –
Saint Augustine and Thomas Aquinas (13th Century) –
Marco Marulic (15th Century) –
Christian Wolf (18th Century) –
Hermann von Helmholtz (19th Century) -
Wilhelm Wundt (19th Century) -
Aristotle (4th Century BC) –
Saint Augustine and Thomas Aquinas (13th Century) –
Marco Marulic (15th Century) –
Christian Wolf (18th Century) –
Hermann von Helmholtz (19th Century) -
Wilhelm Wundt (19th Century) -
13 Quotes from Famous Psychologists
1. “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” – Carl Jung (1875-1961)
2. “If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.” – Abraham Maslow (1908-1970)
3. “We shouldn't teach great books; we should teach a love of reading.” – B. F. Skinner (1904-1990)
4. ¨Dreams are often most profound when they seem the most crazy.¨ – Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)
5. “Concern should drive us into action, not into a depression.” - Karen Horney (1885-1952)
6. ¨Accomplishment is socially judged by ill defined criteria so that one has to rely on others to find out how one is doing.¨ – Albert Bandura (1925-present)
7. ¨No single logic is strong enough to support the total construction of human knowledge.¨ – Jean Piaget (1896-1980)
8. ¨I don't sing because I'm happy; I'm happy because I sing.¨ - William James (1842-1910)
9. The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.¨ - Carl Rogers (1902-1987)
10. "Hope is both the earliest and the most indispensable virtue inherent in the state of being alive. If life is to be sustained hope must remain, even where confidence is wounded, trust impaired." – Erik Erikson (1902-1994)
11. ¨Don't become a mere recorder of facts, but try to penetrate the mystery of their origin.¨ - Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936)
12. "If you want truly to understand something, try to change it." – Kurt Lewin (1890-1947)
13. ¨The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well.¨ - Alfred Adler (1870-1937)
1. “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” – Carl Jung (1875-1961)
2. “If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.” – Abraham Maslow (1908-1970)
3. “We shouldn't teach great books; we should teach a love of reading.” – B. F. Skinner (1904-1990)
4. ¨Dreams are often most profound when they seem the most crazy.¨ – Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)
5. “Concern should drive us into action, not into a depression.” - Karen Horney (1885-1952)
6. ¨Accomplishment is socially judged by ill defined criteria so that one has to rely on others to find out how one is doing.¨ – Albert Bandura (1925-present)
7. ¨No single logic is strong enough to support the total construction of human knowledge.¨ – Jean Piaget (1896-1980)
8. ¨I don't sing because I'm happy; I'm happy because I sing.¨ - William James (1842-1910)
9. The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.¨ - Carl Rogers (1902-1987)
10. "Hope is both the earliest and the most indispensable virtue inherent in the state of being alive. If life is to be sustained hope must remain, even where confidence is wounded, trust impaired." – Erik Erikson (1902-1994)
11. ¨Don't become a mere recorder of facts, but try to penetrate the mystery of their origin.¨ - Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936)
12. "If you want truly to understand something, try to change it." – Kurt Lewin (1890-1947)
13. ¨The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well.¨ - Alfred Adler (1870-1937)
Explaining Behavior
People have tried various means to explain behavior self-help books, astrology, psychics, the elderly in certain cultures. Humans share the belief that if we can discover the causes of behavior, we will be able to control them, and maybe also control them.
People have tried various means to explain behavior self-help books, astrology, psychics, the elderly in certain cultures. Humans share the belief that if we can discover the causes of behavior, we will be able to control them, and maybe also control them.
Why do people use the following resources?
What do they hope to achieve?
What information are they seeking?
What do they hope to achieve?
What information are they seeking?
All of these resources might help to explain why people behave the way they do.
Humans share the belief that if we can discover the causes of behavior, maybe we will be able to explain and and maybe even control them.
Humans share the belief that if we can discover the causes of behavior, maybe we will be able to explain and and maybe even control them.
However, human behavior is often very mysterious!!! Look at the following website to discover 10 examples of human behaviour which science struggles to explain. http://www.newscientist.com/special/ten-mysteries-of-you
We use psychology everyday. We explain human behaviour by attributing them to beliefs, motives and plans which they infer from what they see other people doing. This is called folk psychology.
We use psychology everyday. We explain human behaviour by attributing them to beliefs, motives and plans which they infer from what they see other people doing. This is called folk psychology.
- Define Psychology
Common definition for Psychology is;
The scientific study of mental processes and behavior and how these are affected by internal processes and the environment.
- ¨scientific¨ = systematic and controlled
- ¨mental processes¨ = covert (hidden) behaviours, e.g. attention, memory, emotion and attitudes
- ¨behaviour¨= overt behaviours which can be observed directly and measured.
- ¨internal processes¨ = factors inside the human organisms e.g. hormones or genes
- ¨environment¨= factors that affect from outside e.g. relationships with others.
The scientific study of mental processes and behavior and how these are affected by internal processes and the environment.
- ¨scientific¨ = systematic and controlled
- ¨mental processes¨ = covert (hidden) behaviours, e.g. attention, memory, emotion and attitudes
- ¨behaviour¨= overt behaviours which can be observed directly and measured.
- ¨internal processes¨ = factors inside the human organisms e.g. hormones or genes
- ¨environment¨= factors that affect from outside e.g. relationships with others.
History of Psychology
- Roots in Greek Philosophy – philosophy of the mind
- 19th Century saw the creation of the word psychology - ¨psyche¨(the mind or soul) and ¨logos¨ (reason) = ¨reasoning about the soul¨.
- Psychology has been influenced at various times by Wundt (experimental psychology), then behavioural psychology in the US, Freuds Psychoanalysis of the unconscious and Darwins ideas on evolution and adaptation.
People have tried various means to explain behaviour; self-help books, astrology, psychics, the elederly in certain cultures. Humans share the belief that if we can discover the causes of behavior, we will be able to control them, and maybe also control them.
We use psychology everyday. We explain human behaviour by attributing them to beliefs, motives and plans which they infer from what they see other people doing. This is called folk psychology.
Today we recognise that both factors play a role in determining behaviour. In the past many argued for one or the other ¨Nature or nurture¨.
EXPERIMENT
Title: Astrology Vs Psychology
Researcher: Dean
Date: 1987
Aim: To investigate whether astrologers would be able to say something valid about peoples personalities compared to the results of authorized psychological tests.
Methodology: The subjects were 60 people who had high scores for Introversion (those who direct thoughts and feelings inwardly, generally quiet and fewer social connections), and 60 ho had scored high on Extroversion (those who direct thoughts and feeling outwardly, more outgoing with more social connections) on a standard Psychology test. He then gave some Astrologers the birth charts of the 120 participants and asked them to identify the introverts and extroverts.
Results: Average success rate for correct identification was 50.2%
TOK
1. Why do you think people go to Astrologers?
2. What role can astrologers serve in peoples lives?
Psychology is very diverse and involves connections with social sciences (sociology and anthropology) and also natural sciences (biology). It uses a wide variety of research techniques (e.g. experiments, brain scanning and interviews) to study a wide variety of topics.
BE A THINKER
1. Consider two possible advantages of being a multidisciplinary science
2. List three topics that you think could be investigates using information and understanding from different areas of knowledge and explain why.
- Roots in Greek Philosophy – philosophy of the mind
- 19th Century saw the creation of the word psychology - ¨psyche¨(the mind or soul) and ¨logos¨ (reason) = ¨reasoning about the soul¨.
- Psychology has been influenced at various times by Wundt (experimental psychology), then behavioural psychology in the US, Freuds Psychoanalysis of the unconscious and Darwins ideas on evolution and adaptation.
People have tried various means to explain behaviour; self-help books, astrology, psychics, the elederly in certain cultures. Humans share the belief that if we can discover the causes of behavior, we will be able to control them, and maybe also control them.
We use psychology everyday. We explain human behaviour by attributing them to beliefs, motives and plans which they infer from what they see other people doing. This is called folk psychology.
Today we recognise that both factors play a role in determining behaviour. In the past many argued for one or the other ¨Nature or nurture¨.
EXPERIMENT
Title: Astrology Vs Psychology
Researcher: Dean
Date: 1987
Aim: To investigate whether astrologers would be able to say something valid about peoples personalities compared to the results of authorized psychological tests.
Methodology: The subjects were 60 people who had high scores for Introversion (those who direct thoughts and feelings inwardly, generally quiet and fewer social connections), and 60 ho had scored high on Extroversion (those who direct thoughts and feeling outwardly, more outgoing with more social connections) on a standard Psychology test. He then gave some Astrologers the birth charts of the 120 participants and asked them to identify the introverts and extroverts.
Results: Average success rate for correct identification was 50.2%
TOK
1. Why do you think people go to Astrologers?
2. What role can astrologers serve in peoples lives?
Psychology is very diverse and involves connections with social sciences (sociology and anthropology) and also natural sciences (biology). It uses a wide variety of research techniques (e.g. experiments, brain scanning and interviews) to study a wide variety of topics.
BE A THINKER
1. Consider two possible advantages of being a multidisciplinary science
2. List three topics that you think could be investigates using information and understanding from different areas of knowledge and explain why.
1.1.2 The Three Levels of Analysis
Levels of analysis in Psychology
The international baccalaureate (IB) psychology courses offer 3 levels of analysis, this means that we will be looking at the psychological issues such as:
These levels of analysis can also be illustrated with examples of gender and gender can be defined as what society and culture find appropriate for men and women to do. |
The biological level of analysis explains differences in gender behavior with genetic make-up.
The cognitive level of analysis explains gender differences with gender schema theory- that is people form mental representations of what it means to be either a boy or a girl, and these representations guide behavior. The way we perceive a person is very much related to gender. This is called social cognition.
At the sociocultural level of analysis, social learning theory explains that people learn gender behavior by watching how other people of same gender behave. This level also deals with how culture affects definitions of gender roles and may shape mental representations of gender.
The cognitive level of analysis explains gender differences with gender schema theory- that is people form mental representations of what it means to be either a boy or a girl, and these representations guide behavior. The way we perceive a person is very much related to gender. This is called social cognition.
At the sociocultural level of analysis, social learning theory explains that people learn gender behavior by watching how other people of same gender behave. This level also deals with how culture affects definitions of gender roles and may shape mental representations of gender.
1.1.3 Concepts, Theories and Empirical Investigations
Theoretical Explanation – A theory is a statement used to summarise, organise and explain observations. It can be used to make predictions about observed events. Theories in psychology are less like the laws in natural sciences. The theoretical explanations are probable rather than certain, and they are always open to some degree of doubt.
Concept – Hypothetical constructs that are carefully defined and testable. Theories are often based upon these.
Empirical investigation (study)- When a researcher collects and analyses data in order to investigate a psychological phenomenon. This research can be observed and measured. (e.g. experiments, observations, surveys and interviews. Just like theories it is necessary to evaluate empirical studies.
(See be a thinker on page 14 – good initial activity)
Concept – Hypothetical constructs that are carefully defined and testable. Theories are often based upon these.
Empirical investigation (study)- When a researcher collects and analyses data in order to investigate a psychological phenomenon. This research can be observed and measured. (e.g. experiments, observations, surveys and interviews. Just like theories it is necessary to evaluate empirical studies.
(See be a thinker on page 14 – good initial activity)
1.1.4 Critical Thinking
CRITICAL THINKING – The ability and willingness to assess claims and make judgements on the basis of well-supported reasons and evidence, rather than emotion.
Critical Thinking Profile
Scientists are trained to be sceptical and critical. To be critical doesn’t mean negative, just that we apply critical thinking skills.
In Psychology we can ask critical questions when evaluating a theory or a study;
Evaluating a Theory
What sort of evidence is it based upon?
Is it possible to test the theory?
Is there evidence to support or contradict the theory?
Is the theory useful to explain things in real life?
Evaluating a Study
Is it based upon a representative group of people?
Is it conducted in a laboratory or a natural setting?
Are the participants asked top do things that they would in real life?
Was it conducted in an ethical manner?
Are the findings supported or questioned by the findings of other studies?
LEARNING OUTCOME QUESTIONS
1. What is the definition of Psychology?
2. Is Psychology a scientific discipline? Why/Why not?
3. How is psychological knowledge generated?
4. What is meant by the terms ´theoretical explanation´ and ´empirical investigation´.
5. What are the three levels of analysis?
6. What is meant by critical thinking and what is an example?
Critical Thinking Profile
- Questions assumptions and biases
- Evaluates available evidence and related it to theory or opinion
- Considers alternative interpretations
- Avoids emotional reasoning
- Does not jump to oversimplified conclusions
- Knows that plausible conclusions are based upon evidence
- Is willing to reassess conclusions if new information appears
- Is able to tolerate some uncertainty
Scientists are trained to be sceptical and critical. To be critical doesn’t mean negative, just that we apply critical thinking skills.
In Psychology we can ask critical questions when evaluating a theory or a study;
Evaluating a Theory
What sort of evidence is it based upon?
Is it possible to test the theory?
Is there evidence to support or contradict the theory?
Is the theory useful to explain things in real life?
Evaluating a Study
Is it based upon a representative group of people?
Is it conducted in a laboratory or a natural setting?
Are the participants asked top do things that they would in real life?
Was it conducted in an ethical manner?
Are the findings supported or questioned by the findings of other studies?
LEARNING OUTCOME QUESTIONS
1. What is the definition of Psychology?
2. Is Psychology a scientific discipline? Why/Why not?
3. How is psychological knowledge generated?
4. What is meant by the terms ´theoretical explanation´ and ´empirical investigation´.
5. What are the three levels of analysis?
6. What is meant by critical thinking and what is an example?