PS101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Naturalistic Observation, Gestalt Psychology, Scientific Method
Document Summary
Ps101 - lecture 1 - what is psychology. Basic research: seeking new knowledge, exploring/advancing general scientific understanding. Applied research: conducted for the purpose of solving practical problems and improving people"s quality of life. The study of mental processes and behaviours (whole groups and cultures, individuals, parts of individuals) Activities of our brain when engaged in thinking, observing the environment, and using language. Observable activities of an organism, often in response to environmental cues. How brain structure and brain cell activity differ from person to person and situation to situation. The person how the content of the individual"s mental processes form and influence behaviour. The group how behaviour is shaped by the social and cultural environments. *activity does not take place only at one level or another, but at all three levels at once. Starts earliest pages of recorded history. Starts when people wondered about human nature and human behaviour (*curiosity)
