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Personal Psychology 1: The Road to Self-Discovery

Unit 2: Searching for Answers

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Class 1: Lesson 1

FL SS.912.P.1.3: Describe perspectives employed to understand behavior and mental processes.

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Unit Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

Understand the emergence and evolution of psychology as a discipline
Map the historical roots of psychology and identify and understand main psychological perspectives
Identify subfields of psychology and career opportunities available in the discipline
Understand the role of psychological research in the study of mind and behavior
Identify the components of a research study and ways to implement them to conduct research

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behaviorism

the idea that behavior is shaped through our interaction with our environment and learning experiences

cognitive psychology

an approach that focuses on mental processes to understand behavior

confounding variable

a component that isn’t intended to be measured but that influences outcomes in scientific research

correlation

when two variables appear to have a relationship to one another

dualism

the idea that the body and mind are two separate entities

ethical research

research for the betterment of humanity that is not harmful, or minimally harmful, to participants

functionalism:

the idea that mental states and behavior are not a result of their internal structure but rather a result of the role the mental state plays within the larger system

Gestalt psychology

our mind does not focus on each detail but instead takes in an object as a whole

humanistic perspective

a viewpoint that focuses on the whole person and human potential in understanding behavior and providing treatment

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hypothesis

an educated guess

principle

a scientific law that can be repeatedly proven

reliability

a psychological experiment that can be repeated over time arriving at the same or similar results

scaffolding

an educational method in which learners are supported and encouraged in the learning process by a more skilled mentor

scientific method

a systematic way to research, compile, and examine scientific evidence to perpetuate our database of knowledge

structuralism

breaks down the mental components of the mind into the smallest observable pieces

validity

how effectively researchers can measure the intended variable

variable

the specific component scientists are trying to understand or measure

zone of proximal development (zpd)

an area in which learners are unable to progress on their own but could master skills with assistance

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On a Mission

Lesson 1

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From the Lessons:

Cal Lightman from “Lie to Me” encompasses what psychology is all about—understanding and predicting thinking and behavior.

There are many uses for these tools beyond television crime-fighting.

What can predicting thinking and behavior help us do?

Let’s Talk!

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Goals of Psychology

Describe behavior

Explain behavior

Predict behavior

Change behavior

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Psychology Timeline

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Class 2: Lesson 2

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How Psychology Grew into the Powerhouse It Is Today

Lesson 2

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Have you ever pretended to have an “alter ego” like Kobe Bryant’s Black Mamba?

Conversation Starter

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“There are no _____ in psychology,

But many _________ to explain behavior.”

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Theory vs. Law

Theory (Unit 1 key term): explains the world around us based on scientific study with best guesses for why things around us play out as they do

Law: describes what phenomena happen and can be repeatedly proven

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Psychological Theories

Theory	Description	Date	Psychologist(s)
Psychodynamic
Behaviorism
Humanism
Cognitive Psychology
Sociocultural Psychology
Biopsychology

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Class 3: Lesson 3

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Becoming a Psychologist

Lesson 3

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Community Psychology

Clinical Psychology

Counseling Psychology