The Foundations of Psychology
Grace Halaszynski
What is Psychology?
Psychology is the study of mind and behavior. "Psychology is a multifaceted discipline and includes many sub-fields of study such areas as human development, sports, health, clinical, social behavior and cognitive processes." (Saul McLeod)
Standards for the Foundations of Psychology
- Define the field of psychology.
- Identify key figures in the history of the field of psychology and their major contributions; include Wundt, Freud, Skinner, James, Watson and Rogers.
- List and describe the major occupations and subfields of psychology.
- Explain how psychologists conduct research to describe, explain, predict, and control behavior.
- Describe the types of research methods used by psychologists; include experiment, survey, case study, and observation.
- Identify the basic elements of an experiment; include independent and dependent variables, types of experimental control (blind/double-blind procedures, placebo controls).
- Explain the differences between a correlation and an experiment.
- Classify the types and uses of statistics in psychological research; include descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.
- Interpret graphic data representations.
- Explain ethical issues in psychological research.
The Key Figures of Psychology
B.F. Skinner
Carl Rogers
Sigmund Freud
William James
John Watson
Wilhelm Wundt
What are the major occupations and subfields of psychology?
1. Biological: how the human enables/handles emotion
2. Evolutionary: how evolution influenced behavior
3. Psychodynamic: how unconscious events influence behavior
4. Behavioral: the study of observable responses
5. Cognitive: the entirety of how we handle information
6. Humanistic: achieving full potential and self fulfillment by acceptance
7. Social-cultural: how different situations and cultures influence behavior
Occupations:
1. Biological psychologists: study the connection between the mind and the brain
2. Developmental psychologists: study how we change as we grow
3. Cognitive psychologists: study how we handle conflict/problems
4. Educational psychologists: study of influences on teaching and learning
5. Personality psychologists: study of our many traits and how they affect us
6. Social psychologists: study of how we affect one another
(Myers' Psychology for AP)
How do psychologists conduct research to describe, explain, predict, and control behavior?
What are the basic elements of an experiment?
What are some differences between a correlation and an experiment?
What are some ethical issues in psychological research?
What are some types of research methods used by psychologists?
What are the types and uses of statistics in psychological research?
Citations
"Inferential Statistics." Inferential Statistics. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2016.
Myers, David G. Myers' Psychology for AP. New York, NY: Worth, 2011. Print.
Rowan, Kiri. Udemy. N.p., 25 Mar. 2014. Web. 2 May 2016.
Scarince, Christine. "Elements of an Experiment in Psychology." N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2016.