Objectives H1
1. Identify 5 perspectives of psychology better view behavior
2. Explain why ethics important in psychology
3. Analyze contribution philosophy & natural sciences
4. Describe significance early psy for modern psy
5. Discuss importance scientific method for psy
6. Explain why psy applies to many academic fields
Scientific techniques are providing us with more accurate, complete view of human mind.
Higher sensitivity to bitterness than sweetness because toxins are bitter. Combining different
perspectives within psychology gives most complete view.
Mind: activities of brain: thought, emotion and behavior.
Thinking mind = cognitive psychology.
Troubled mind = abnormal psychology.
Greek: Psyche (soul/mind) + logos (objective study of) = psychology
Modern: Psychology = scientific study of behavior, mental processes and brain functions
(bold part has undergone changes in meaning).
Behavior = observable action.
Mental processes & brain functions dependent on tools. Earlier only through introspection (=
unscientific).
Many occupations demand basic psychological knowledge.
Psychology is 1/7 hub sciences.
P4. Roots psy 1870. Psy has roots in natural sciences & philosophy, they merged into psy.
Similarity philosophy & psy: nature vs nurture, free will, nature of self, body/mind, ethics.
Aristotle: knowledge through senses = empiricism.
Contemporary psy: mix of nurture & nature. Modern medicine fairly new. Hermann von
Helmholtz studied neurons (thigh/toe) in 19th century. Gustav Fechner softest sound
hearable 19th century.
First psychologist = Wilhelm Wundt: First experiment in lab of Uni of Leipzig 1879: response
time.
Edward Titchener: structuralism: smallest elements of mental experience.
Gestalt psychology said the whole was more important than elements. Experience is
different than sum of elements.
Functionalism: response to Darwin. Behavior is purposeful because survival. Not how but
why? William James: principles of psychology: ‘stream of consciousness’.
Supernatural explanations for disorder medical & psy model.
P12. Freud not scientific, just observation.
60’s: behaviorism vs Freud. New approach: humanistic psychology.
Freud: innate bad, society has to civilize. Jean-Jacques Rousseau: innate good, society
corrupts. Focuses on what’s bad about ppl.
Maslow: “What makes a person good?”. Focuses on what’s good about ppl.
Carl Rogers: client-centered therapy: naming clients ipv patients equality & active role.
Humanism: No bad ppl, just bad society. Motivated to improve.
Behaviorism: measurement of observable behavior. Parallels between animals-humans.
Experience is primary source of behavior.
Pavlov: learning like dog is classical conditioning.
,John B. Watson: Rats experiments, tabula rasa. Enhanced advertising industry. Focused on
observable behavior.
P14. Thorndike: Law of effect: behavior with pleasant outcome likely to be repeated.
Skinner: Inner state same rules as public behaviors. Generalized humans due to rat &
pidgeon experiments.
Behaviorists avoided cognition: information processing, thinking, reasoning, problem solving.
Ulric Neisser: Cognitive Psychology. Computer models hand in hand with analyzing
cognition.
P18. Psychology fragmented into different aspects in order to gather more in-depth data.
Biological psychology = behavioral neuroscience = relationships between mind and behavior
+ underlying biological processes. 70’s: technology more knowledge connection brain &
behavior. P20. Combining perspectives gives richer understanding. Using single perspective
can be misleading. Contemporary psychology integrates:
1. Evolutionary psychology = how physical structure + behavior shaped by contribution
to survival (functionalism).
2. Cognitive psychology = thinking + information processing.
3. Developmental psychology = changes in behavior in lifespan.
4. Social & personality psychology = effects social environment & cultural diversity.
5. Clinical psychology = explain, define & treat disorders.
Behavior not 100% predictable.
Psychology will benefit from infusing culture in research and develop theory in crosscultural
psychology. Many minorities underrepresented in psychology. Both white & black ppl prefer
the white doll in experiment.
Solely maltreatment isn’t right indicator for criminal behavior. Also genetics (high MAOA
not antisocial), environment & personality need to be considered for holistic perspective.
21st century psychology: zooming out/holistic
Psychology doesn’t make you a psychologist. After doctorate often therapist or teacher.
Most rigid distinction students: specification in clinical + counseling or not. If yes: internship
& training. Textbook full of separate perspectives but end of chapter unifies.
P28. Bullying = aggressive, repeated behavior that involves real or perceived power
imbalance. 1/6 high school students experienced cyberbullying in last year.
Two difficult questions: why something rather than nothing? & mind-body problem.
Universal laws that are exactly balanced to support life:
1. Gravity
2. Electromagnetism
3. Strong nuclear force
4. Weak nuclear force
Why? Luck, intelligent design or multiverse?
Mind-body problem: why consciousness in universe of matter. Chalmers & Rensch:
Consciousness fundamental property of reality, yet consciousness has no mass (problem).
Dorsal view = Top view
Ventral view = Bottom view
Brain is two types of cells: neurons & glia (often smaller and don’t convey messages over
great distance).
,P32. 3 main points of book:
1. Perception occurs in brain.
2. Types of brain activity are inseparable (monism = mind and matter same substance).
3. Caution with statements and conclusions.
You can’t always explain goal of behavior (yawning). 4 categories of biological explanation:
1. Physiological: brain- & organ activity and biochemistry.
2. Ontogenetic (origin of being): how behavior develops including influence of genes,
nutrition, experience and their interactions.
3. Evolutionary explanation.
4. Functional explanation: why behavior evolved as it did.
Hawk pretends to be vulture (who doesn’t prey on healthy animals) and hunts.
Read p34/35 tables.
Genetics control facial expression (seen in blind ppl + relatives).
Gregor Mendel showed genes. Some chromosomes don’t code for protein but regulate gene
expression. 20 amino acids. Genes overlap and are responsible for several features. Also
more genes for one feature. Sex-linked genes (X & Y) vs autosomal genes. Sex-limited genes
only express in either of the sexes: breasts, beard etc. Mutations are rarely advantageous,
same goes for most microduplications. Every cell except red blood cells carry DNA.
Epigenetics = turning on/off genes. Genes don’t express similarly in different cell types.
Epigenetic change is inheritable. Starved mother high chance obesity offspring. Active
gene has to unwind a bit from histone. Acetyl (COCH3) loosens grip of histones activating
a gene. Adding methyl (CH3) to promoter deactivates gene.
Heritability 0 = none – 1 = complete control.
Three kinds of evidence:
1. Monozygotic twins: similarities that dizygotic don’t have high heritability
2. Adopted children: similarity w/ bio parents high heritability but also prenatal
environment could be cause.
3. Identify specific genes to behavior:
- Candidate gene: testing hypothesis that gene may be linked to X
- Genome wide association study: tests all genes within two groups such as
with & without schizo. But too many genes and ethnicity could mislead.
P41.All traits heritable except religion.
Heritability specific to population and time.
Genes exert effect together and heritability never 100%.
Also microduplications & -deletions exert effect in expression, also mutations and
epigenetics.
PKU = inability to metabolize phenylalanine builds up, toxicity rises.
Genes could influence you indirectly: more attractive more attention better mood etc.
Evolution: how did & how do species evolve?
Reproduction:
- Appel valt niet ver van boom door genetics.
- Mutations, recombination, microdupl & -del introduce new variations that
help or harm survivability.
- Greater reproductive success more prevalent.
Natural selection vs artificial selection (breeders).
, Misconceptions:
- Lamarckian evolution: if dad works out, child biceps bigger.
- Humans no natural selection because medicine & comfort. Answer: it’s
not only about selection, also reproduction.
- Evolution means improvement. Answer: generally reproduction improves
fitness but new environment may be disadvantageous.
- Evolution benefits species or individual? Answer: neither, just the genes.
Evolutionary psychology: how behavior evolved and why?
Characteristics evolve because advantageous for survival.
Also useless traits like goosebumps.
True altruism only in humans. Most altruism is egoism in disguise within animals.
How does altruism spread?
- Kin selection: selection for gene that benefits relatives.
- Reciprocal altruism: to get favor in return. People tend to help others that
are helpful. Requires identification capability.
- Group selection: altruistic groups thrive better. Yet, wouldn’t egoistic
individuals within such a group have an advantage?
Group selection works well in humans because punish & expel.
Reasons to study nonhumans:
1. Underlying mechanisms of behavior are similar & easier to study.
2. Interested in animals for their own sake – curiosity.
3. Learning about animals, sheds light on human evolution.
4. Legal restrictions prevent research on humans.
Minimalist want as little harm for animals. Researchers care a bit less. Legal standard has 3
R’s:
1. Reduction of animal numbers
2. Replacement of animals for perhaps computers
3. Refinement to reduce discomfort
Lots of regulations before research. Abolitionists say humans = animals so no testing/killing
whatsoever. Mostly like vegans. Little pain okay for greater good?
Notities hoorcollege h&g
Invloed genen op gedrag moeilijk aan te tonen
Soms verband gen en gedrag onverbiddelijk (sterk) - maar is rare
Combinatie nature & nurture
Duizenden baseparen vormen gen
40x of meer herhaling CAG —> retard/huntington
Huntington ventrikels in hersens weg
Produceren eiwit huntingtine
Gen codeert voor eiwit
Eiwit is enzym, boodschapperstof, receptor
Huntington gen dominant
Allel zit op 4e chrom paar
Treed op latere leeftijd op
Op X zit MAO A low leidt tot slecht werkend enzym leidt tot gevoeliger
voor violence crime als misbruikt in jeugd
MAO A high leidt tot hardwerkend enzym
1. Identify 5 perspectives of psychology better view behavior
2. Explain why ethics important in psychology
3. Analyze contribution philosophy & natural sciences
4. Describe significance early psy for modern psy
5. Discuss importance scientific method for psy
6. Explain why psy applies to many academic fields
Scientific techniques are providing us with more accurate, complete view of human mind.
Higher sensitivity to bitterness than sweetness because toxins are bitter. Combining different
perspectives within psychology gives most complete view.
Mind: activities of brain: thought, emotion and behavior.
Thinking mind = cognitive psychology.
Troubled mind = abnormal psychology.
Greek: Psyche (soul/mind) + logos (objective study of) = psychology
Modern: Psychology = scientific study of behavior, mental processes and brain functions
(bold part has undergone changes in meaning).
Behavior = observable action.
Mental processes & brain functions dependent on tools. Earlier only through introspection (=
unscientific).
Many occupations demand basic psychological knowledge.
Psychology is 1/7 hub sciences.
P4. Roots psy 1870. Psy has roots in natural sciences & philosophy, they merged into psy.
Similarity philosophy & psy: nature vs nurture, free will, nature of self, body/mind, ethics.
Aristotle: knowledge through senses = empiricism.
Contemporary psy: mix of nurture & nature. Modern medicine fairly new. Hermann von
Helmholtz studied neurons (thigh/toe) in 19th century. Gustav Fechner softest sound
hearable 19th century.
First psychologist = Wilhelm Wundt: First experiment in lab of Uni of Leipzig 1879: response
time.
Edward Titchener: structuralism: smallest elements of mental experience.
Gestalt psychology said the whole was more important than elements. Experience is
different than sum of elements.
Functionalism: response to Darwin. Behavior is purposeful because survival. Not how but
why? William James: principles of psychology: ‘stream of consciousness’.
Supernatural explanations for disorder medical & psy model.
P12. Freud not scientific, just observation.
60’s: behaviorism vs Freud. New approach: humanistic psychology.
Freud: innate bad, society has to civilize. Jean-Jacques Rousseau: innate good, society
corrupts. Focuses on what’s bad about ppl.
Maslow: “What makes a person good?”. Focuses on what’s good about ppl.
Carl Rogers: client-centered therapy: naming clients ipv patients equality & active role.
Humanism: No bad ppl, just bad society. Motivated to improve.
Behaviorism: measurement of observable behavior. Parallels between animals-humans.
Experience is primary source of behavior.
Pavlov: learning like dog is classical conditioning.
,John B. Watson: Rats experiments, tabula rasa. Enhanced advertising industry. Focused on
observable behavior.
P14. Thorndike: Law of effect: behavior with pleasant outcome likely to be repeated.
Skinner: Inner state same rules as public behaviors. Generalized humans due to rat &
pidgeon experiments.
Behaviorists avoided cognition: information processing, thinking, reasoning, problem solving.
Ulric Neisser: Cognitive Psychology. Computer models hand in hand with analyzing
cognition.
P18. Psychology fragmented into different aspects in order to gather more in-depth data.
Biological psychology = behavioral neuroscience = relationships between mind and behavior
+ underlying biological processes. 70’s: technology more knowledge connection brain &
behavior. P20. Combining perspectives gives richer understanding. Using single perspective
can be misleading. Contemporary psychology integrates:
1. Evolutionary psychology = how physical structure + behavior shaped by contribution
to survival (functionalism).
2. Cognitive psychology = thinking + information processing.
3. Developmental psychology = changes in behavior in lifespan.
4. Social & personality psychology = effects social environment & cultural diversity.
5. Clinical psychology = explain, define & treat disorders.
Behavior not 100% predictable.
Psychology will benefit from infusing culture in research and develop theory in crosscultural
psychology. Many minorities underrepresented in psychology. Both white & black ppl prefer
the white doll in experiment.
Solely maltreatment isn’t right indicator for criminal behavior. Also genetics (high MAOA
not antisocial), environment & personality need to be considered for holistic perspective.
21st century psychology: zooming out/holistic
Psychology doesn’t make you a psychologist. After doctorate often therapist or teacher.
Most rigid distinction students: specification in clinical + counseling or not. If yes: internship
& training. Textbook full of separate perspectives but end of chapter unifies.
P28. Bullying = aggressive, repeated behavior that involves real or perceived power
imbalance. 1/6 high school students experienced cyberbullying in last year.
Two difficult questions: why something rather than nothing? & mind-body problem.
Universal laws that are exactly balanced to support life:
1. Gravity
2. Electromagnetism
3. Strong nuclear force
4. Weak nuclear force
Why? Luck, intelligent design or multiverse?
Mind-body problem: why consciousness in universe of matter. Chalmers & Rensch:
Consciousness fundamental property of reality, yet consciousness has no mass (problem).
Dorsal view = Top view
Ventral view = Bottom view
Brain is two types of cells: neurons & glia (often smaller and don’t convey messages over
great distance).
,P32. 3 main points of book:
1. Perception occurs in brain.
2. Types of brain activity are inseparable (monism = mind and matter same substance).
3. Caution with statements and conclusions.
You can’t always explain goal of behavior (yawning). 4 categories of biological explanation:
1. Physiological: brain- & organ activity and biochemistry.
2. Ontogenetic (origin of being): how behavior develops including influence of genes,
nutrition, experience and their interactions.
3. Evolutionary explanation.
4. Functional explanation: why behavior evolved as it did.
Hawk pretends to be vulture (who doesn’t prey on healthy animals) and hunts.
Read p34/35 tables.
Genetics control facial expression (seen in blind ppl + relatives).
Gregor Mendel showed genes. Some chromosomes don’t code for protein but regulate gene
expression. 20 amino acids. Genes overlap and are responsible for several features. Also
more genes for one feature. Sex-linked genes (X & Y) vs autosomal genes. Sex-limited genes
only express in either of the sexes: breasts, beard etc. Mutations are rarely advantageous,
same goes for most microduplications. Every cell except red blood cells carry DNA.
Epigenetics = turning on/off genes. Genes don’t express similarly in different cell types.
Epigenetic change is inheritable. Starved mother high chance obesity offspring. Active
gene has to unwind a bit from histone. Acetyl (COCH3) loosens grip of histones activating
a gene. Adding methyl (CH3) to promoter deactivates gene.
Heritability 0 = none – 1 = complete control.
Three kinds of evidence:
1. Monozygotic twins: similarities that dizygotic don’t have high heritability
2. Adopted children: similarity w/ bio parents high heritability but also prenatal
environment could be cause.
3. Identify specific genes to behavior:
- Candidate gene: testing hypothesis that gene may be linked to X
- Genome wide association study: tests all genes within two groups such as
with & without schizo. But too many genes and ethnicity could mislead.
P41.All traits heritable except religion.
Heritability specific to population and time.
Genes exert effect together and heritability never 100%.
Also microduplications & -deletions exert effect in expression, also mutations and
epigenetics.
PKU = inability to metabolize phenylalanine builds up, toxicity rises.
Genes could influence you indirectly: more attractive more attention better mood etc.
Evolution: how did & how do species evolve?
Reproduction:
- Appel valt niet ver van boom door genetics.
- Mutations, recombination, microdupl & -del introduce new variations that
help or harm survivability.
- Greater reproductive success more prevalent.
Natural selection vs artificial selection (breeders).
, Misconceptions:
- Lamarckian evolution: if dad works out, child biceps bigger.
- Humans no natural selection because medicine & comfort. Answer: it’s
not only about selection, also reproduction.
- Evolution means improvement. Answer: generally reproduction improves
fitness but new environment may be disadvantageous.
- Evolution benefits species or individual? Answer: neither, just the genes.
Evolutionary psychology: how behavior evolved and why?
Characteristics evolve because advantageous for survival.
Also useless traits like goosebumps.
True altruism only in humans. Most altruism is egoism in disguise within animals.
How does altruism spread?
- Kin selection: selection for gene that benefits relatives.
- Reciprocal altruism: to get favor in return. People tend to help others that
are helpful. Requires identification capability.
- Group selection: altruistic groups thrive better. Yet, wouldn’t egoistic
individuals within such a group have an advantage?
Group selection works well in humans because punish & expel.
Reasons to study nonhumans:
1. Underlying mechanisms of behavior are similar & easier to study.
2. Interested in animals for their own sake – curiosity.
3. Learning about animals, sheds light on human evolution.
4. Legal restrictions prevent research on humans.
Minimalist want as little harm for animals. Researchers care a bit less. Legal standard has 3
R’s:
1. Reduction of animal numbers
2. Replacement of animals for perhaps computers
3. Refinement to reduce discomfort
Lots of regulations before research. Abolitionists say humans = animals so no testing/killing
whatsoever. Mostly like vegans. Little pain okay for greater good?
Notities hoorcollege h&g
Invloed genen op gedrag moeilijk aan te tonen
Soms verband gen en gedrag onverbiddelijk (sterk) - maar is rare
Combinatie nature & nurture
Duizenden baseparen vormen gen
40x of meer herhaling CAG —> retard/huntington
Huntington ventrikels in hersens weg
Produceren eiwit huntingtine
Gen codeert voor eiwit
Eiwit is enzym, boodschapperstof, receptor
Huntington gen dominant
Allel zit op 4e chrom paar
Treed op latere leeftijd op
Op X zit MAO A low leidt tot slecht werkend enzym leidt tot gevoeliger
voor violence crime als misbruikt in jeugd
MAO A high leidt tot hardwerkend enzym
