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Psychology
By John W. Santrock
Prepared By Richard A. Davis
Copyright 1999 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Chapter 1
What is Psychology?
Copyright 1999 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

What is Psychology?

Defining Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Science Behavior Mental Processes

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Psychologys Beginnings

Natural Selection

The evolutionary principle that the organisms that are best adapted to their environment are the most likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on their genes to their offspring

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Psychologys Beginnings

Structuralism

Emphasizes the importance of conscious thought and classification of the minds structures Psychologys role is to study the functions of the mind and behavior in adapting to the environment

Functionalism

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Approaches to Psychology

The Behavioral Approach

An emphasis on the scientific study of observable behavioral responses and their environmental determinants

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Approaches to Psychology

The Psychoanalytic Approach

An emphasis on the unconscious of the mind, conflict between biological instincts and societys demands, and early family experiences

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Approaches to Psychology

The Humanistic Approach

An emphasis on a persons capacity for personal growth, freedom to choose his or her own destiny, and positive qualities

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Approaches to Psychology

The Cognitive Approach

An emphasis on the mental processes involved in knowing: How we direct our attention, perceive, remember, think, and solve problems

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Approaches to Psychology

The Behavioral Neuroscience Approach

An approach that emphasizes the importance of understanding the brain and nervous system if we are to understand behavior, thought, and emotion

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Approaches to Psychology

The Evolutionary Approach

Emphasizes the importance of adaptation, reproduction, and survival of the fittest in explaining behavior

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Approaches to Psychology

The Sociocultural Approach

Emphasizes the influences of culture, ethnicity, and gender among other sociocultural factors, on behavior, thought, and emotion

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Psychology and Life: What Matters?

Biological processes matter Environmental processes matter Mental processes matter Culture matters Individual variations matter

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Psychology and Life: What Matters?

Science matters Conceptual diversity matters Controversies matter Critical thinking matters

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Psychology Careers

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Areas of Specialization

Clinical and counseling psychology

Diagnose and treat people with psychological problems A branch of medicine practiced by physicians with a doctor of medicine (M.D.) degree who subsequently specialize in abnormal behavior and psychotherapy

Psychiatry

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Areas of Specialization

Community psychology

Focuses on providing accessible care for people with psychological problems Conduct basic research on areas of psychology using an experimental strategy. Areas include sensation and perception, cognitive processes, learning, motivation, and emotion

Experimental psychology

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Areas of Specialization

Physiological psychology and neuroscience

Focuses on biological processes, especially the brains role in behavior Concerned with how we become who we are, from conception to death

Developmental psychology

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Areas of Specialization

Social psychology

Deals with peoples social interactions, relationships, perceptions, and attitudes Focuses on relatively enduring traits and characteristics of individuals

Personality psychology

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Areas of Specialization

School and educational psychology

Concerned with childrens learning and adjustment in school Deals with the workplace

Industrial/organizational psychology

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Areas of Specialization

Cross-cultural psychology

Examines the role of culture in understanding behavior, thought, and emotion Emphasizes the importance of promoting the research and study of women

Psychology of women

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Areas of Specialization

Health psychology

Emphasizes psychological factors of health, lifestyle, and the nature of the health care delivery system Applies psychological concepts to the legal system

Forensic psychology

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Areas of Specialization

Sports psychology

Applies psychologys principles to improving sport performance and enjoying sport participation

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End of Chapter 1 To proceed to the next chapter, click button

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Copyright 1999 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.