Introduction to

Psychology
 Myths about
psychology
Most people only use Opposites attract in
01 10% of their brains. 02 relationships.

Punishment is the A person’s personality is

03 most effective way to 04 completely shaped by their
change behavior. environment.
 What is
psychology?
 Introduction
Psychology is the study of human mind and behavior. The
Greek words psyche (life/soul) and logos (reason).
Psychology is used today to determine how mental
processes and behavior are related and how they impact
general health.
The seven perspectives
of Psychology
 Perspectives of Psychology

Behavioral perspective Humanistic Perspective

The behavioral perspective is still The humanistic approach focuses on

how motivation impacts thoughts and
concerned with how behaviors are behavior.
learned and reinforced.
 Perspectives of Psychology

Biological perspective The psychoanalytic

perspective
The biological perspective is the This perspective emphasizes the role of
scientific study of behavior and mental the unconscious mind, early childhood
processes. It is closely related experiences, and relationships to explain
neuroscience. human behavior.
 Perspectives of Psychology

Cognitive perspective Cross-cultural perspective

This area of psychology focuses on Cross-cultural perspective is a relatively

mental processes such as memory, new perspective. It looks at human
thinking, problem solving and decision- behavior across different cultures.
making.
 Perspectives of Psychology

Evolutionary perspective

Focuses on the study of how the theory of

evolution can explain behavior, though, and
feeling. The evolutionary perspective suggests
that these mental processes exist because they
serve an evolutionary purpose—meaning that
they aid in human survival and reproduction.​​
 Influential figures in
Psychology
William Wundt is credited as one of the founders of
psychology. He created the first lab for psychological
research. His research focused on studying consciousness
using experiments to study and measure it.

(1832-1920)
 Influential figures in
Psychology
William James was a key figure in early psychology. He
started the idea of functionalism, that focuses on how
mental processes, like thoughts and feelings, help people
adapt to their environment.

(1842-1910)
 Influential figures in
Psychology
Sigmund Freud founded the psychodynamic approach.
This approach is based on the belief that behavior is
motivated by unconscious inner forces over which the
individual has little control.

(1866-1939)
 Theories of human
development
One topic that psychologist have always researched is how the
human mind and human behaviors develop.

There are four influential theories on human development:

1. Psychosexual – Sigmund Freud

2. Psychosocial – Erik Erikson
3. Cognitive - Jean Piaget
4. Moral- Lawrence Kohlberg
 Theories of human development:
Cognitive development
Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development focuses on how children develop
through a series of changes that occur to help them gain knowledge and develop
their view of the world. Children experience a series of increasingly complex
stages to build their base of knowledge and reasoning. These stages are the
same for all children regardless of culture or background.
 Cognitive development

Piaget’s four cognitive development stages are:

1. Sensorimotor 2. Preoperational stage:

- Duration: Infancy (birth- 2 years) - Duration: Toddler & early childhood

(2- 7 years)
- Children learn about the world through their
- Children learn through asking
senses.
questions to gain knowledge. Using
symbols to represent objects.
 Cognitive development continued
4. Formal operation stage:
3. Concrete operational stage:
- Duration: Adolescence &
- Duration: Middle childhood (7- 11 adulthood (12- adulthood)
years)
- People experience rational
- Children begin to use logic and solve thinking and reasoning. They
problems. They also become less self- can address hypothetical
centered and understand how others problems with possible
feel. solutions and plans.
 Criticism of Piaget’s theory of
Cognitive development
1. Underestimation of children’s abilities.

2. Lack of focus on social and emotional development.

3. Problems with research method. Used his three children as subjects and
children who were well-educated and of high socioeconomic status.

4. Lack of Consideration for Cultural and Social Influences. All his subjects were
from western societies, which is not universally applicable.
 Theories of human development:
Psychosocial theory
Erik Erikson's theory explains how humans progress through eight stages of
development over their lifespan. Each stage is a challenge. Successfully passing
leads to a healthy psychological development, while failure can cause difficulties
later in life.
 Theories of human development:
Psychosocial continued
Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust Stage 2: Autonomy vs.
Age: 0-1 year. Shame/Doubt
Challenge: Developing trust in Age: 1-3 years.
caregivers. Challenge: Developing a sense of
Positive outcome: Learns trust. personal control and independence.
Negative outcome: Learns
mistrust. Positive outcome: Learns Autonomy.
Negative outcome: Learns Shame &
Doubt.

Example: potty training

 Theories of human development:
Psychosocial continued
Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority
Age: 3-5 years.
Age: 6-11 years.
Challenge: Children begin to assert
their power and control over the Challenge: Developing a sense of
world through directing play and competence through learning and working.
other social interactions.
Positive outcome: Through encouragement
Positive outcome: Learns & getting praise for their accomplishment
initiative and leadership qualities. they gain Industry.
Negative outcome: Feeling like they are
Negative outcome: Learns guilt failing leads to inferiority
and hesitates to take initiative.
Example: School work (grades)
 Theories of human development:
Psychosocial continued
Stage 5: Identity vs. Confusion Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation
Age: 12-18 years.
Age: 18-40 years.
Challenge: Developing a strong sense
of self and personal identity. Challenge: Forming intimate, loving
relationships with others.
Positive outcome: Learns strong sense
of self and feelings of independence and Positive outcome: Leads to strong
control. connections and the ability to form meaningful
long-lasting relationships.
Negative outcome: Those who
remain unsure of their beliefs and Negative outcome: Leads to isolation and
desires will feel insecure and confused loneliness
about themselves and the future.
 Theories of human development:
Psychosocial continued
Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair
Stagnation
Age: 65-death
Age: 40-65 years.
Challenge: Reflecting on life and feeling a
Challenge: Contributing to society and sense of fulfillment or regret.
helping to guide the next generation.
Positive outcome: A sense of integrity and
Positive outcome: leads to feelings of satisfaction with one’s life.
usefulness and accomplishment.
Negative outcome: Despair over missed
Negative outcome: stagnation and a opportunities and a sense of failure.
sense of unproductiveness
 Criticism of Erikson’s theory of
Psychosocial development
1. Paid less attention to later stages.

2. Cultural bias.

3. Overgeneralization. Assumes that everyone goes through the same challenges

at every stage.

4. Focused on challenges and ignores the positive aspects of development.

 Fields of Psychology

1. Experimental Psychology: Psychologist who conduct and design research in

different areas like learning, memory, and behavior.

2. Biopsychology: Study of the science of the brain and nervous system and
how they influence behavior.

3. Developmental Psychology: Focuses on human development from birth till

death.

4. Social Psychology: Concerned with how social context affects the behavior
of individuals or groups in the real word.
 Fields of Psychology

1. Industrial/Organizational Psychology: Is the scientific study of human

behavior in workplaces and organizations.

2. Educational Psychology: Is the study of how people learn. It looks at how

students think, feel, and behave in the classroom.

3. Clinical Psychology: Focuses on diagnosing and treating mental disorders.

1. Psychiatry: Is a branch of medicine focused on treating and diagnosing

mental disorders.
Psychologists vs. Psychiatrists