Intro to Psychology

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Intro to Psychology
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Why Study Psychology?

• Psychology The scientific study of behavior and
  mental processes
• Behavior Any action that other people can
  observe or measure
• Cognitive Activities Mental processes. Ex
  Dreams, Perceptions, Thoughts, Memories
• Psychological Constructs Concepts used to talk
  about something we cant see, touch, measure

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Goals
Describe
Explain
Predict
Observe
Control

• Psychologists do NOT want to change - Teach
  Control
• Positive Visualization

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Psychology as a Science

• A social science that uses natural science
• Research Methods
• 1. Surveys Collecting data by asking ?s of
• people in a particular group
• 2. Experimentation Often study animals to
• generalize to human behavior

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What are advantages/disadvantages of surveys and
experiments?
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Theory or Principle?

• Theory A statement that attempts to explain why
  things are the way they are and happen the way
  they do.
• Discuss principles behind behavior
• If correct Help predict
• If incorrect Revised

• Principle A rule or law.

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Review

• What do psychologists want and not want to do?
• How are behaviors different from cognitive
  activities?
• What are the 5 goals?
• What should you do if your theory does not work?