, LECTURE NOTE INTRODUCTION
These lecture notes (or study guides) contain summaries, outlines, and questions designed to frame
student notetaking and study, as well as gauge comprehension and help them prepare for quizzes and
exams. The study guides generally follow the flow of the OpenStax Psychology 2e textbook, and also
overlap to some extent with the OpenStax Psychology 2e Lecture Slides.
These guides were written and compiled by an array of faculty, including the Psychology department at
Pasadena City College, Aurora Ramos Nunez (College of Coastal Georgia), Roger Copeland (Dallas
College, El Centro Campus), and Patricia Adams (Pitt Community College).
OpenStax Psychology
Chapter 1 Psychological Research
Study Guide
1.1 What is Psychology?
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.
Questions:
1. How has psychology changed our understanding of our minds and behaviors?
2. How is the study of psychology beneficial to people in other fields or professions, such as business,
education, or law?
1.2 History of Psychology
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.
These lecture notes (or study guides) contain summaries, outlines, and questions designed to frame
student notetaking and study, as well as gauge comprehension and help them prepare for quizzes and
exams. The study guides generally follow the flow of the OpenStax Psychology 2e textbook, and also
overlap to some extent with the OpenStax Psychology 2e Lecture Slides.
These guides were written and compiled by an array of faculty, including the Psychology department at
Pasadena City College, Aurora Ramos Nunez (College of Coastal Georgia), Roger Copeland (Dallas
College, El Centro Campus), and Patricia Adams (Pitt Community College).
OpenStax Psychology
Chapter 1 Psychological Research
Study Guide
1.1 What is Psychology?
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.
Questions:
1. How has psychology changed our understanding of our minds and behaviors?
2. How is the study of psychology beneficial to people in other fields or professions, such as business,
education, or law?
1.2 History of Psychology
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.
