PSY101 Handouts

Introduction to Psychology (PSY101)

Table of Contents

Lesson 1 What is Psychology? Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Schools of Thought Lesson 4 Perspective/Model/Approach Lesson 5 The Psychodynamic Approach/ Model Lesson 6 Behavioral Approach Lesson 7 The Humanistic Approach and the Cognitive Approach Lesson 8 Research Methods in Psychology (I) Lesson 9 Research Methods in Psychology (II) Lesson 10 Physical Development and Nature Nurture Issue Lesson 11 Cognitive Development Lesson 12 Nervous System (I) Lesson 13 Nervous System (II) Lesson 14 Endocrine System Lesson 15 Sensation Lesson 16 Hearing (Audition) and Balance Lesson 17 Perception I Lesson 18 Perception II Lesson 19 Altered States of Consciousness Lesson 20 Learning Lesson 21 Operant Conditioning Lesson 22 Cognitive Approach Lesson 23 Memory Lesson 24 Memory II Lesson 25 Memory III Lesson 26 Secondary/ Learnt/ Psychological Motives Lesson 27 Emotions I Lesson 28 Emotions II Lesson 29 Cognition and Thinking Lesson 30 Thinking, Reasoning, ProblemSolving and Creativity Lesson 31 Personality I Lesson 32 Personality II Lesson 33 Personality III Lesson 34 Intelligence Lesson 35 Psychopathology Lesson 36 Abnormal Behavior I Lesson 37 Abnormal Behavior II Lesson 38 Psychotherapy I Lesson 39 Psychotherapy II Lesson 40 Lesson 41 Lesson 42 Lesson 43 Lesson 44 Lesson 45

WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?

Lesson 1

Beginning with the first psychological laboratory, founded in 1879 by German philosopher and physiologist Wilhelm Wundt, modern psychology’s can be traced in many disciplines and countries. Psychology’s historical perspectives and current activities lead us to define the field as the science of behavior and mental processes.

Theoretical perspectives of psychology

There are many disciplines that study human nature. Psychology is one. Within psychology, the biological, behavioral, psychoanalytic, cognitive and social+lcultural perspectives are complementary. Each has its own purposes, questions, and limits; together they provide a fuller understanding of mind and behavior.

Why do we study psychology?

Scientific inquiry begins with an attitude of eagerness to skeptically investigate competing ideas, with an openminded approach. Putting ideas to the test helps us in fully understanding them. The curiosity that drives us to test ideas, and to expose their underlying assumptions, can be experienced in every day life as critical thinking.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course will encompass basic concepts of psychology

Concepts like learning, memorizing, retention, emotions, process of thinking, how do Our sense organs work etc will be discussed. Also, issues like what is normal and what is abnormal behavior, the interventions used For treating psychological problems, along with an overview of main and popular Areas of psychology will also be tackled.

The main focus of the course will be on introducing essential terminology, theories, themes, concepts, and trends relevant to modern day psychology The main focus is to help students to learn and understand what are the essential and important areas of study in psychology. Also students will be enabled to understand and learn the basic concepts which psychology is mainly based on.

Practical application of knowledge, besides a know how of theoretical constructs, will be encouraged How to use psychology and psychological concepts in every day life is an essential component, besides having a basic understanding of the theoretical part of it. It is expected that after completing this course, the student will be able to use the psychological concepts for resolving problems, or at least identifying, problem areas and situations where psychological intervention is required.

The course will be taught bilingually

COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of the term the students will be able to:

Understand and use basic terminology of psychology:

Terms, concepts and processes when we are studying and applying psychology’s principles in daily life tasks

Understand and identify the various applications of the discipline as well as its scientific nature: Understanding of how to conduct psychological research is very important and it needs thorough study of research techniques of how to conduct research, what are the basic steps involved, how to verify the findings; and most importantly, whether it is ethical as well as applicable to humans or not; The students will get a feel of it. The scientific methodology will not be discussed in detail since this is an introductory, foundation, course. Choose areas of their interest for higher academic qualification in future: The students will be familiarized with a number of areas of psychology. After completing this course you may feel that you have developed a keen interest in psychology and want to carry on with studying this discipline; at that point the knowledge from this course will help you in to choosing the desired field in which you want to specialize. Also the knowledge and information gained from this course will help you in understanding the concepts in courses like organizational behavior, management, consumer behavior, and research methods. Identify situations where psychological intervention may be required: While studying psychology, you come to know that psychology’s applications are not limited to curing mental problems only, but have wide range of applications from the minor to the most extensive tasks in which psychological principles can be used. Here it is important for you to identify situations where psychology’s principles and interventions can be used in order to resolve the issue.

Some Additional Advantages

Besides these basic objectives, there are many other advantages that the students will, or may, enjoy. Knowledge of psychology affects your personality also by enriching your intellectual life and enlarging your vision to see and observe things around you. We will discuss a lot of things, and they will be explained in such a manner that they will add some skills and a better understanding to your present intellectual caliber. For example, if you want to enhance your learning by studying psychology, there are some important and useful tips for you:

Distribute your study time

One of the psychologists’ oldest findings is that “spaced practice” promotes better retention than “massed practice”. You will remember material better if you space your time over several study periods rather than overcrowding your memory store house with information over load at one time for longer durations.

Learn to think critically

Whether in class, or at home, or somewhere else, note people’s personality, habits, assumptions and values and critically evaluate. What perspective or bias underlies an argument? Evaluate evidence. Is it anecdotal? Co incidental? Experimental? Based upon facts? Is what I see the only truth, or can there be other possible explanations?

Listen actively to lectures

According to psychologist William James “ no reception without reaction, and no impression without expression.” Listen to the main and subideas of the lecture, and after listening, process information by which you can understand and retain the material well.

Over learn

“Over learning improves retention”. Read, recite and over learn the material that you cover. Do not overestimate what you know. Rethink and review the lecture, and give some extra time to what you think you already know. It enhances your knowledge and the material will be better retained.

Carefully accessing questions while taking tests/ exams

Read the question to be attempted carefully, think what you have to write and then start attempting questions

While exploring psychology, you will learn much more than effective study techniques. Psychology polishes and sharpens our understanding of how people perceive, think, feel and act. By doing so, it definitely enriches our lives and enlarges our vision.

Misconceptions about psychology and psychologists

Anybody who has studied psychology can read people’s personality

This is the most frequent thought that comes into the mind of people who believe that psychologists are like magicians who can tell every thing about any person, his thoughts, feelings emotions, personality and all that other people cannot tell. This actually is not the case, because psychologists are not the magicians or something like that. They are professionals and their area of interest is basically the study of human