WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?

INTRODUCTION TO
PSYCHOLOGY Lecture 1: Introduction
Instructor: Annum Tanweer.
IT IS….
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes and how they are
affected by an organism’s physical, state, mental state, and external
environment.

It encompasses not just what people do but also their thoughts, emotions,
perceptions, reasoning processes, memories, and even the biological activities
that maintain bodily functioning.
Originated in 16th century from the latin source: logos and psyche: study of
soul.
Scientifically established around mid 1800s.
EXPECTATIONS FROM THIS
COURSE.
To become aware of the major psychological approaches to the study of behaviour.
To become aware of the major aspects of behaviour investigated by psychologists.
To become familiar with the theories and contributions of major figures in the field.
To become familiar with major research findings and theories of the field.
To gain understanding of self and others.
To recognize ways to apply psychological findings to everyday life.
To learn to appreciate the necessity of a multi-level explanation of behaviour.
To develop some critical thinking skills; to be able to think critically about research.
ADDRESSING MYTHS
Myth 1: Psychology Is Easy.
Myth 2: Psychology Is Just Common Sense.
Myth 3: You Can Become a Therapist With a Bachelor's Degree or single course.
Myth 4: Psychology Isn't a Real Science.
Myth 5: I know what you are thinking…

…more?!
RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL
AREAS IN PSYCHOLOGY
Developmental Psychology Personality

Social Psychology Clinical Psychology

Counseling Psychology
Experimental Psychology

Educational and School

Physiological Psychology Psychology

Cognitive Psychology Industrial and Organizational

Psychology
Developmental: Looks at human development across the life span. Developmental
psychology once focused primarily on child development but today devotes a great deal
of research to adolescence, adulthood, and old age.

Social: Focuses on interpersonal behavior and the role of social forces in governing
behavior. Typical topics include attitude formation, attitude change, prejudice,
conformity, attraction, aggression, intimate relationships, and behavior in groups.

Experimental: Encompasses the traditional core of topics such as sensation, perception,

learning, conditioning, motivation and emotion.

Physiological: Examines the influence of genetic factors on behavior and the role of the
brain, nervous system, endocrine system, and bodily chemicals in the regulation of
behavior.

Cognitive: Focuses on “higher” mental processes such as memory, reasoning,

information processing, language, problem solving, decision making, and creativity.

Personality: Interested in describing and understanding individuals’ consistency in

behavior, which represents their personality. This area is interested in factors that shape
personality and with personality assessment.
Clinical: Concerned with evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals with
psychological disorders, as well as treatment of individuals with psychological
disorders, as well as treatment of less severe behavioral and emotional problems.
Principal activities include interviewing clients, psychological testing, and providing
group and individual psychotherapy.

Counseling: Overlaps with clinical psychology in that specialists in both areas

engage in similar activities – interviewing, testing, and providing therapy.
Counseling psychologists usually work with a somewhat different clientele,
providing assistance to people struggling with everyday problems of moderate
severity – they specialize in family, marital, or career counseling.

Educational: Work to improve curriculum design, achievement testing, teacher

training, and other aspects of the educational process. School psychologists usually
work in elementary or secondary schools, where they test and counsel children
having difficulties in school and aid parents and teachers in solving school-related
problems.

I/O: Perform a wide variety of tasks in the world of business and industry. These
tasks include running human resources departments, working to improve staff morale
and attitudes, striving to increase job satisfaction and productivity, examining
organizational structures and procedures, and making recommendations for
improvements.
 WRITING
REFLECTIONS