Instructor Manual: Rathus, PSYCH 2027 9798214157917; Chapter 1: What is Psychology?
Instructor Manual
Rathus, PSYCH 2027 9798214157917; Chapter 1: What is Psychology?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter......................................................................1
Learning Objectives.......................................................................................................2
Complete List of Chapter Activities and Assessments.................................................2
Key Terms.....................................................................................................................4
What's New in this Chapter..........................................................................................6
Chapter Outline.............................................................................................................7
Additional Discussion Questions .................................................................................8
Additional Activities and Assignments.......................................................................10
Additional Resources..................................................................................................12
External Videos........................................................................................................................................12
Primary Sources....................................................................................................................................... 13
PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHAPTER
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The beginning of the chapter takes a
look at the history of psychology and psychological study including a discussion of contributions made
before psychology was formally considered an independent field of study (e.g., Aristotle and Socrates).
Early subfields of psychology such as structuralism, functionalism, and psychoanalysis are discussed as
well as an overview of the contemporary perspectives. This chapter introduces the discipline of
psychology as a science by reviewing the scientific method, hypothesis testing, and various types of
research methods. These include correlational studies, survey research, experimentation, and case studies.
The final part of the chapter addresses the importance of critical thinking and standards of ethics when
conducting research as well as when evaluating research findings.
[return to top]
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
1-1 Describe the goals and activities of psychologists.
1-2 Describe the history of psychology.
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a 1
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Rathus, PSYCH 2027 9798214157917; Chapter 1: What is Psychology?
1-3 Identify the theoretical perspectives from which psychologists today view behavior and mental
processes.
1-4 Describe the scientific method, including the relationship between samples and populations.
1-5 Explain how psychologists engage in research—including methods of observation, correlation,
and experimentation—to learn about behavior and mental processes.
1-6 Explain principles of critical thinking.
1-7 Describe the ethical standards that govern psychological research and practice with humans and
animals.
[return to top]
COMPLETE LIST OF CHAPTER ACTIVITIES AND
ASSESSMENTS
The following table organizes activities and assessments by objective so that you can review how all this
content relates to objectives and make decisions about which content you would like to emphasize in your
class based on your objectives. For additional guidance, refer to the Teaching Online Guide.
Chapter Activity/Assessment Source Duration
Objective
1-1 Icebreaker PowerPoints 10 minutes
1-1 Knowledge Check 1 PowerPoints 5 minutes
1-2 Poll 1 PowerPoints 5 minutes
1-3 Discussion 1 PowerPoints 10–15 minutes
1-4 Discussion 2 PowerPoints 10–15 minutes
1-5 Knowledge Check 2 PowerPoints 5 minutes
1-6 Discussion 3 PowerPoints 10 minutes
1-7 Discussion 4 PowerPoints 10 minutes
All Self-Assessment PowerPoints 5–10 minutes
All Why Does the Field of MindTap 5 minutes
Psychology Matter to Me?
1-1 Learn It: Psychology as a MindTap 10 minutes
Science
1-2 & 1-3 Learn It: Historical MindTap 10 minutes
Foundations of Psychology
1-3 Learn It: Contemporary MindTap 10 minutes
Perspectives in Psychology
1-4 Learn It: How Psychologists MindTap 10 minutes
Study Behavior and Mental
Processes
1-5 Learn It: Methods of MindTap 10 minutes
Research
1-6 Learn It: Critical Thinking MindTap 10 minutes
1-7 Learn It: Ethics in MindTap 10 minutes
Psychological Research
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a 2
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Rathus, PSYCH 2027 9798214157917; Chapter 1: What is Psychology?
All Study It: Mastery Training: MindTap 5–10 minutes
What Is Psychology?
All Study It: Student PowerPoint: MindTap 5–10 minutes
What Is Psychology?
1-4 & 1-5 Apply It: Research in the Real MindTap 10 minutes
World: Psychology Myths
1-5 Apply It: Research in the Real MindTap 10 minutes
World: The Replication Crisis
1-1 Apply It: In My Life: Study MindTap 10 minutes
Habits
1-4 Apply It: In My Life: MindTap 10 minutes
Scientific Method
All Apply It: Quiz: What Is MindTap 10 minutes
Psychology?
[return to top]
KEY TERMS
Applied research: Research conducted in an effort to find solutions to real-world problems.
Behaviorism: The school of psychology that defines psychology as the study of observable behavior
and studies relationships between stimuli and responses.
Biological perspective: The approach to psychology that seeks to understand the nature of the links
between biological processes and structures such as the functioning of the brain, the endocrine system,
and heredity, on the one hand, and behavior and mental processes, on the other.
Blind: In experimental terminology, unaware of whether or not one has received a treatment.
Case study: A carefully drawn biography that may be obtained through interviews, questionnaires,
psychological tests, and other methodologies.
Cognitive: Having to do with mental processes such as sensation and perception, memory, intelligence,
language, thought, and problem solving.
Control groups: In experiments, groups whose members do not obtain the treatment, while other
conditions are held constant.
Correlation: An association or relationship among variables, as we might find between height and
weight or between study habits and school grades.
Correlation coefficient: A number between +1.00 and –1.00 that expresses the strength and
direction (positive or negative) of the relationship between two variables.
Correlational method: A mathematical method of determining whether one variable increases or
decreases as another variable increases or decreases.
Critical thinking: A way of evaluating the claims and comments of other people that involves
skepticism and examination of evidence.
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a 3
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Rathus, PSYCH 2027 9798214157917; Chapter 1: What is Psychology?
Debrief: To explain the purposes and methods of a completed procedure to a participant.
Dependent variables: A measure of an assumed effect of an independent variable.
Double-blind study: A study in which neither the participants nor the researchers know who has
received the treatment.
Experiment: A scientific method that seeks to confirm cause-and-effect relationships by introducing
independent variables and observing their effects on dependent variables.
Experimental groups: In experiments, groups whose members obtain the treatment (also termed
treatment groups).
Functionalism: The school of psychology that emphasizes the uses or functions of the mind rather
than the elements of experience.
Gender: The socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society
considers appropriate for different genders. Sex refers to the biological status of being male, female, or
intersex, whereas gender implies the psychological, behavioral, social, and cultural aspects of gender (i.e.,
masculinity, femininity, nonbinary, nonconforming, or other gender.
Gender diverse: An umbrella term for people whose gender identity does not conform to traditional
expectations based on their assigned sex; gender-diverse people may identify as transgender, nonbinary,
or another term.
Gestalt psychology: The school of psychology that emphasizes the tendency to organize perceptions
into wholes and to integrate separate stimuli into meaningful patterns.
Hypothesis: In psychology, a specific statement about behavior or mental processes that is tested
through research.
Independent variable: A condition in a scientific study that is manipulated so that its effects may be
observed.
Informed consent: A participant’s agreement to participate in research after receiving information
about the purposes of the study and the nature of the treatments.
Introspection: Deliberately looking into one’s own cognitive processes to examine one’s thoughts and
emotions.
Naturalistic observation: A scientific method in which organisms are observed in their natural
environments.
Placebos: A forged treatment that has the appearance of being genuine.
Population: A complete group of interest to researchers, from which a sample is drawn.
Psychoanalysis: The school of psychology that emphasizes the importance of unconscious motives
and conflicts as determinants of human behavior.
Psychology: The science that studies behavior and mental processes.
Pure research: Exploratory research conducted without concern for immediate applications.
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a 4
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Instructor Manual
Rathus, PSYCH 2027 9798214157917; Chapter 1: What is Psychology?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter......................................................................1
Learning Objectives.......................................................................................................2
Complete List of Chapter Activities and Assessments.................................................2
Key Terms.....................................................................................................................4
What's New in this Chapter..........................................................................................6
Chapter Outline.............................................................................................................7
Additional Discussion Questions .................................................................................8
Additional Activities and Assignments.......................................................................10
Additional Resources..................................................................................................12
External Videos........................................................................................................................................12
Primary Sources....................................................................................................................................... 13
PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHAPTER
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The beginning of the chapter takes a
look at the history of psychology and psychological study including a discussion of contributions made
before psychology was formally considered an independent field of study (e.g., Aristotle and Socrates).
Early subfields of psychology such as structuralism, functionalism, and psychoanalysis are discussed as
well as an overview of the contemporary perspectives. This chapter introduces the discipline of
psychology as a science by reviewing the scientific method, hypothesis testing, and various types of
research methods. These include correlational studies, survey research, experimentation, and case studies.
The final part of the chapter addresses the importance of critical thinking and standards of ethics when
conducting research as well as when evaluating research findings.
[return to top]
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
1-1 Describe the goals and activities of psychologists.
1-2 Describe the history of psychology.
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a 1
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Rathus, PSYCH 2027 9798214157917; Chapter 1: What is Psychology?
1-3 Identify the theoretical perspectives from which psychologists today view behavior and mental
processes.
1-4 Describe the scientific method, including the relationship between samples and populations.
1-5 Explain how psychologists engage in research—including methods of observation, correlation,
and experimentation—to learn about behavior and mental processes.
1-6 Explain principles of critical thinking.
1-7 Describe the ethical standards that govern psychological research and practice with humans and
animals.
[return to top]
COMPLETE LIST OF CHAPTER ACTIVITIES AND
ASSESSMENTS
The following table organizes activities and assessments by objective so that you can review how all this
content relates to objectives and make decisions about which content you would like to emphasize in your
class based on your objectives. For additional guidance, refer to the Teaching Online Guide.
Chapter Activity/Assessment Source Duration
Objective
1-1 Icebreaker PowerPoints 10 minutes
1-1 Knowledge Check 1 PowerPoints 5 minutes
1-2 Poll 1 PowerPoints 5 minutes
1-3 Discussion 1 PowerPoints 10–15 minutes
1-4 Discussion 2 PowerPoints 10–15 minutes
1-5 Knowledge Check 2 PowerPoints 5 minutes
1-6 Discussion 3 PowerPoints 10 minutes
1-7 Discussion 4 PowerPoints 10 minutes
All Self-Assessment PowerPoints 5–10 minutes
All Why Does the Field of MindTap 5 minutes
Psychology Matter to Me?
1-1 Learn It: Psychology as a MindTap 10 minutes
Science
1-2 & 1-3 Learn It: Historical MindTap 10 minutes
Foundations of Psychology
1-3 Learn It: Contemporary MindTap 10 minutes
Perspectives in Psychology
1-4 Learn It: How Psychologists MindTap 10 minutes
Study Behavior and Mental
Processes
1-5 Learn It: Methods of MindTap 10 minutes
Research
1-6 Learn It: Critical Thinking MindTap 10 minutes
1-7 Learn It: Ethics in MindTap 10 minutes
Psychological Research
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a 2
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Rathus, PSYCH 2027 9798214157917; Chapter 1: What is Psychology?
All Study It: Mastery Training: MindTap 5–10 minutes
What Is Psychology?
All Study It: Student PowerPoint: MindTap 5–10 minutes
What Is Psychology?
1-4 & 1-5 Apply It: Research in the Real MindTap 10 minutes
World: Psychology Myths
1-5 Apply It: Research in the Real MindTap 10 minutes
World: The Replication Crisis
1-1 Apply It: In My Life: Study MindTap 10 minutes
Habits
1-4 Apply It: In My Life: MindTap 10 minutes
Scientific Method
All Apply It: Quiz: What Is MindTap 10 minutes
Psychology?
[return to top]
KEY TERMS
Applied research: Research conducted in an effort to find solutions to real-world problems.
Behaviorism: The school of psychology that defines psychology as the study of observable behavior
and studies relationships between stimuli and responses.
Biological perspective: The approach to psychology that seeks to understand the nature of the links
between biological processes and structures such as the functioning of the brain, the endocrine system,
and heredity, on the one hand, and behavior and mental processes, on the other.
Blind: In experimental terminology, unaware of whether or not one has received a treatment.
Case study: A carefully drawn biography that may be obtained through interviews, questionnaires,
psychological tests, and other methodologies.
Cognitive: Having to do with mental processes such as sensation and perception, memory, intelligence,
language, thought, and problem solving.
Control groups: In experiments, groups whose members do not obtain the treatment, while other
conditions are held constant.
Correlation: An association or relationship among variables, as we might find between height and
weight or between study habits and school grades.
Correlation coefficient: A number between +1.00 and –1.00 that expresses the strength and
direction (positive or negative) of the relationship between two variables.
Correlational method: A mathematical method of determining whether one variable increases or
decreases as another variable increases or decreases.
Critical thinking: A way of evaluating the claims and comments of other people that involves
skepticism and examination of evidence.
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a 3
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Rathus, PSYCH 2027 9798214157917; Chapter 1: What is Psychology?
Debrief: To explain the purposes and methods of a completed procedure to a participant.
Dependent variables: A measure of an assumed effect of an independent variable.
Double-blind study: A study in which neither the participants nor the researchers know who has
received the treatment.
Experiment: A scientific method that seeks to confirm cause-and-effect relationships by introducing
independent variables and observing their effects on dependent variables.
Experimental groups: In experiments, groups whose members obtain the treatment (also termed
treatment groups).
Functionalism: The school of psychology that emphasizes the uses or functions of the mind rather
than the elements of experience.
Gender: The socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society
considers appropriate for different genders. Sex refers to the biological status of being male, female, or
intersex, whereas gender implies the psychological, behavioral, social, and cultural aspects of gender (i.e.,
masculinity, femininity, nonbinary, nonconforming, or other gender.
Gender diverse: An umbrella term for people whose gender identity does not conform to traditional
expectations based on their assigned sex; gender-diverse people may identify as transgender, nonbinary,
or another term.
Gestalt psychology: The school of psychology that emphasizes the tendency to organize perceptions
into wholes and to integrate separate stimuli into meaningful patterns.
Hypothesis: In psychology, a specific statement about behavior or mental processes that is tested
through research.
Independent variable: A condition in a scientific study that is manipulated so that its effects may be
observed.
Informed consent: A participant’s agreement to participate in research after receiving information
about the purposes of the study and the nature of the treatments.
Introspection: Deliberately looking into one’s own cognitive processes to examine one’s thoughts and
emotions.
Naturalistic observation: A scientific method in which organisms are observed in their natural
environments.
Placebos: A forged treatment that has the appearance of being genuine.
Population: A complete group of interest to researchers, from which a sample is drawn.
Psychoanalysis: The school of psychology that emphasizes the importance of unconscious motives
and conflicts as determinants of human behavior.
Psychology: The science that studies behavior and mental processes.
Pure research: Exploratory research conducted without concern for immediate applications.
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a 4
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
