PSY 12000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Evolutionary Psychology, List Of Psychological Schools, Naturalistic Observation

• School: Purdue University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 12000
• Professor: Susan Swithers

Document Summary

Psychology: the scientific study of behavior and mind. Pysche - soul or breath and logos - the study or investigation of something. Term wasnt in much use before the 19th century and the field of psychology didnt become an independent science until the middle of the 19th century: understand the modern definition of psychology: Its not just the study of behavior and mind, it is the scientific study. Emphasis on science, esp the scientific method makes psychology differ than philosophy. Essential characteristic of the scientific method is observation i. Mind: the contents and processes of subjective experience: sensations, thoughts, and emotions. ** only behavior can be directly measured, thats why behavior and mind are separated in the definition. Behavior: the activities of cells within the brain and even internal thoughts and feelings. As long is it can all be observed and measured in a systematic way. Behaviors that arent helpful rn could have been helpful in the past.