PSY101 Midterm Notes

INTRODUCTION: · PSY101(ShortNotes, Terms,MCQ’s)–Midterm · Chp#1

GermanphilosopherandphysiologistWilhelmWundt setthefoundationsofmodernpsychologyin 1879,by establishing the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany.

“Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes …. Human or Animal”

Psychologists study animals’ behavior too; to better understand and predict human behavior, the study of animal behavior becomes essential at times, especially because some researches cannot be carried out with humans due to safety reasons or ethical issues

Main goals of psychology are:

a) Observation, b) Description, c) Understanding, d) Explanation, e) Prediction, and f) Control of human behavior and mental processes.

Psychology is a science that uses scientific method for gathering knowledge and information.

Scientific method is a systematic and organized series of steps that scientists adopt for exploring any phenomenon in order to obtain accurate and consistent results. Steps involved in Scientific method: observation, description, control, and replication

“Psychology has a long past, but only a short history.”(Hermann Ebbinghaus, 1908)

Trephining was a procedure whereby a hole was drilled into the skull of a mental patient. Thiswasdoneinordertolettheevilspiritsordemonsescapefromthe sufferer’sbody.

In 1590, Rudolf Goeckel used the term “psychology”. This word is the combination of two Greek words “ psyche” and “ logos”, the former means the “ soul” and thelater “ discursiveknowledge”.Thusliterally, psychologymeansthescienceof soul.

Aristotle gave a very important place to soul in human life. Life has no meaning without soul.

Psychology was also defined as the “science of mind”.

Psychology has also been defined as the science of consciousness defined by Wilhelm Wundt

Modern physiologists and Watson, the founder of the behaviorist school of thought, defined psychology as a

science of behavior, both of animals and humans

POPULAR AREAS OF PSYCHOLOGY:

The new scientific psychology is a fusion of two psychologies, i.e., philosopher’s psychology and the sensory psychology. So basically Psychology emerged from Philosophy

Clinical Psychology

A branch of psychology concerned with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of abnormal behavior. It is the oldest as well as the most well known branch of psychology.

Industrial / Organizational Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies the psychology in action at the workplace, including productivity, job satisfaction, anddecision-making

Health Psychology

The branch of psychology that explores the relationship of psychological factors and physical illness or disease

Consumer Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies and explains our buying habits and our effects of advertising a buying behavior. Mainly dealt with the likes and dislikes and preferences of people.

Environmental Psychology

Abranchofpsychology,thatfocusesupontherelationshipbetweenpeopleandtheirphysical environment.

Sport Psychology

Thebranchofpsychology that studies thepsychologicalvariables that haveanimpact upon the sportspersons’ performance; e.g. how stress can affect sport performance, how morale can be boosted, the impact of crowd behavior etc.

Forensic Psychology

Thebranchofpsychologythatinvestigateslegalissuesandpsychologicalvariablesinvolvedin criminal behavior.