Feldman: Psychology and Your Life
Chapter 1: Introduction to Psychology
Module 1: Psychologists at Work!
<indicate piece of art or photo from text for insertion>
These lectures are concerned with defining the science of psychology, describing
subfields of psychology, and listing major specialties for working in the field of
psychology.
(LO1) Define the science of psychology.
(LO2) Describe the subfields of psychology.
(LO3) List the major specialties for working in the field of psychology.
LO1. What is Psychology?
,Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Many people think psychology means the study of the mind. The word “psychology”
comes from the Greek roots of “psyche,” meaning “mind”, and “logos,” meaning
“knowledge or study.”
Today, however, psychology is defined as the study of behavior and mental processes.
Behavior – refers to anything you do. Smiling, running, laughing, eating, and sleeping
are all examples of behaviors. Actions or responses that are directly observable are
referred to as overt behaviors.
Mental processes – refer to thoughts, emotions, perceptions, reasoning processes,
memories, and even the biological activities that maintain bodily functioning. These
processes are referred to as covert behaviors.
Psychologists try to describe, predict, and explain human behavior and mental
processes, as well as help to change and improve the lives of people and the world in
which they live. They use scientific methods to find answers that are far more valid and
legitimate than those resulting from intuition and speculation, which are often inaccurate.
Instructor Materials
PowerPoints: Chapter 1, Slides 1-3
Recap:
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, encompassing not
just what people do but their biological activities, feelings, perceptions, memory,
reasoning, and thoughts. (p. 1-14)
,Evaluate:
1. Psychology is defined as the study of _______ and ____________.
2. Is the following a behavior or a mental process?
Running: __________________
Laughing: __________________
Feeling Sad: ________________
Crying: _____________________
Remembering a favorite trip: ________
Answers:
1. behavior and mental processes
2. Running – behavior
Laughing – behavior
, Feeling Sad – mental process
Crying – behavior
Remembering a favorite trip - mental process
Rethink:
1. Why is the scientific process so important when studying behavior and mental
processes?
2. How do psychologists differ from psychics?
3. Is it possible to predict a person’s behavior? What about an animal’s behavior? Why
or why not?
a.
LO2. The Subfields of Psychology: Psychology’s Family Tree
Psychology has many different subfields, just like medicine has many different
specialties. Let’s review some of the subfields of psychology.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Psychology
Module 1: Psychologists at Work!
<indicate piece of art or photo from text for insertion>
These lectures are concerned with defining the science of psychology, describing
subfields of psychology, and listing major specialties for working in the field of
psychology.
(LO1) Define the science of psychology.
(LO2) Describe the subfields of psychology.
(LO3) List the major specialties for working in the field of psychology.
LO1. What is Psychology?
,Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Many people think psychology means the study of the mind. The word “psychology”
comes from the Greek roots of “psyche,” meaning “mind”, and “logos,” meaning
“knowledge or study.”
Today, however, psychology is defined as the study of behavior and mental processes.
Behavior – refers to anything you do. Smiling, running, laughing, eating, and sleeping
are all examples of behaviors. Actions or responses that are directly observable are
referred to as overt behaviors.
Mental processes – refer to thoughts, emotions, perceptions, reasoning processes,
memories, and even the biological activities that maintain bodily functioning. These
processes are referred to as covert behaviors.
Psychologists try to describe, predict, and explain human behavior and mental
processes, as well as help to change and improve the lives of people and the world in
which they live. They use scientific methods to find answers that are far more valid and
legitimate than those resulting from intuition and speculation, which are often inaccurate.
Instructor Materials
PowerPoints: Chapter 1, Slides 1-3
Recap:
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, encompassing not
just what people do but their biological activities, feelings, perceptions, memory,
reasoning, and thoughts. (p. 1-14)
,Evaluate:
1. Psychology is defined as the study of _______ and ____________.
2. Is the following a behavior or a mental process?
Running: __________________
Laughing: __________________
Feeling Sad: ________________
Crying: _____________________
Remembering a favorite trip: ________
Answers:
1. behavior and mental processes
2. Running – behavior
Laughing – behavior
, Feeling Sad – mental process
Crying – behavior
Remembering a favorite trip - mental process
Rethink:
1. Why is the scientific process so important when studying behavior and mental
processes?
2. How do psychologists differ from psychics?
3. Is it possible to predict a person’s behavior? What about an animal’s behavior? Why
or why not?
a.
LO2. The Subfields of Psychology: Psychology’s Family Tree
Psychology has many different subfields, just like medicine has many different
specialties. Let’s review some of the subfields of psychology.
