PSYA01H3 Introduction to Psychology Part
1 Summary of Chapter 1-8 Lecture Notes
from the Text book UNIVERSITY OF
TORONTO
,1.1 The Science of Psychology
Two unifying qualities of psychological science:
1. Psychology involves the study of behaviour including perceptions,
thoughts and emotions.
2. Psychology employs the scientific method in their work.
Psychology: Scientific study of behaviour, thought, and experience, and
how they can be
affected by physical, mental, social, and environmental factors.
Scientific method: Way of learning about the world
-collecting observations
-developing theories to explain them
-using theories to make predictions
(Involves hypothesis testing and construction of theories)
Hypothesis: Testable prediction about processes that can be observed and
measured.
- Can be supported or rejected (you do not PROVE a hypothesis)
- MUST be testable
Pseudoscience: Idea that is shown as science but does not actually use
basic principles of
scientific thinking/procedure.
Theory: Explanation for broad range of observations that also generates
new hypotheses
:Combines numerous findings into a whole
(General principles/explanations of some aspect of the world, including human
behaviours)
- Built from hypotheses (repeatedly tested + confirmed)
- Must be falsifiable (process helps to ensure that science is self-
correcting)
Biopsychosocial model: Explaining behavior as a product of biological,
psychological +
sociocultural factors
Ex. Social situations can affect how we think
-getting annoyed at the crowded hallway at school, can trigger the release
of
chemicals and hormones in your brain
- Biological (brain structures and chemicals, hormones, and external
substances such as drugs)
- Psychological (memories, emotions, and personalities)
- Social factors (family, peers, ethnicity, and culture)
,Scientific literacy: Ability to understand, analyze +apply scientific
information
- Knowledge gathering (What do we know about this?)
- Scientific explanation (how can science explain it?)
- Critical thinking (Can we critically evaluate the evidence?)
- Application (why is this relevant?)
1.2 How Psychology Became a Science
Science is a philosophy of knowledge that stems from two fundamental
beliefs
(psychology of science is both empiricism and determinism):
1. Empiricism is a philosophical tenet that knowledge comes through
experience.
-Knowledge about the world is based on careful observation, not on common
sense/ speculation
-Whatever we see/measure should be observable by anyone else who follows
same method
2. Determinism is the belief that all events are governed by lawful,
cause + effect relationships
Hippocrates (physician in Ancient Greece)
-Developed world’s 1st personality classification scheme
-Ancient Greeks believed that 4 humours/fluids flowed throughout body +
influenced both health and personality
Different combinations of fluids lead to specific mood and behaviours
Galen (roman physician) refined Hippocrates’s work
-4 temperaments (different combination leads to specific emotional and personality
that remain stable throughout lifetime):
- Blood (Sanguine): a tendency to be impulsive
- Yellow Bile (Choleric): a tendency to be ambitious, energetic, a bit
aggressive
- Black Bile (Melancholic): a tendency to be independent, perfectionistic,
a bit
introverted
- Phlegm (Phlegmatic): a tendency to be quiet, relaxed, and content with
life
Both attempted to categorize personalities.
Zeitgeist: General set of beliefs of a particular culture at a specific time in
history
, Materialism: Belief that humans, and other living beings are composed of
physical matter
- We are nothing more than complex machines that lack a self-conscious, self-
controlling soul.
Dualism: Belief that there are properties of humans that are not material (a
mind or soul
separate from the body)
-machine controlled by a soul
Gustav Fechner studied sensation + perception
-Interested in natural world of moving objects and energy
-Coined the term psychophysics (study of relationship between physical world
+ mental representation of that world.
- Demonstrated basic principles of how the physical and mental worlds
interact
- Developed equation to calculate perceived change in weight
Extended the formula to apply to changes in brightness, loudness +
other perceptual experiences
Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection
-Genetically inherited traits that contribute to survival + reproduction are
more likely to flourish within population (Ex. Useful traits will be passed onto the
next generation)
- Explains why there is such diversity of life on earth (different traits are
beneficial in different environment)
- Theory also explained human and animal behaviour such as aggression
Clinical psychology: Field of psychology that concentrates on the
diagnosis and
treatment of psychological disorders.
Brain localization: Idea that certain parts of the brain control specific
mental
abilities + personality characteristics.
Studied in 2 different ways:
- Phrenology: Belief that the brain consisted of 27 “organs”
-dealing with mental + inherited traits
-detected by examining surface of the skull (Franz Gall +
Johann Spurzheim)
- If someone has particular trait/ ability, brain related to characteristic
would be larger
- Larger brain area cause bumps on head (identify different traits)
The other approach involve study of brain injuries + how they affect
behaviour (contradicted Phrenology, ex. bumps=injuries)
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller saraciousstuvia. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £14.03. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
