PSYCHOLOGY STUDY NOTES
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. It explores how humans
think, feel, learn, remember, and interact with others. As both a social science and a biological
science, psychology draws from philosophy, neuroscience, anthropology, medicine, and
sociology.
1. FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY
Definition
Psychology studies:
• Behavior: observable actions
• Mental processes: internal thoughts, emotions, cognition
Goals of Psychology
1. Describe
2. Explain
3. Predict
4. Control behavior
Major Perspectives in Psychology
1. Biological Perspective
Behavior is influenced by:
• brain structures
• neurotransmitters
• genetics
Common exam topics:
• Structure of neurons
• Action potentials
, • Dopamine & serotonin functions
2. Behavioral Perspective
Founded by Watson and Skinner.
Focus: learning through environment and reinforcement.
3. Cognitive Perspective
Focuses on mental processes:
• thinking
• memory
• language
• problem-solving
4. Humanistic Perspective
Founded by Carl Rogers & Abraham Maslow.
Focuses on free will, personal growth, self-actualization.
5. Psychodynamic Perspective
Founded by Freud.
Focus: unconscious motives and childhood conflicts.
6. Evolutionary Perspective
Behavior results from adaptation and survival mechanisms.
2. RESEARCH METHODS
Psychology uses scientific methods to study behavior.
Types of Research
1. Experimental
• Manipulates variables
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. It explores how humans
think, feel, learn, remember, and interact with others. As both a social science and a biological
science, psychology draws from philosophy, neuroscience, anthropology, medicine, and
sociology.
1. FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY
Definition
Psychology studies:
• Behavior: observable actions
• Mental processes: internal thoughts, emotions, cognition
Goals of Psychology
1. Describe
2. Explain
3. Predict
4. Control behavior
Major Perspectives in Psychology
1. Biological Perspective
Behavior is influenced by:
• brain structures
• neurotransmitters
• genetics
Common exam topics:
• Structure of neurons
• Action potentials
, • Dopamine & serotonin functions
2. Behavioral Perspective
Founded by Watson and Skinner.
Focus: learning through environment and reinforcement.
3. Cognitive Perspective
Focuses on mental processes:
• thinking
• memory
• language
• problem-solving
4. Humanistic Perspective
Founded by Carl Rogers & Abraham Maslow.
Focuses on free will, personal growth, self-actualization.
5. Psychodynamic Perspective
Founded by Freud.
Focus: unconscious motives and childhood conflicts.
6. Evolutionary Perspective
Behavior results from adaptation and survival mechanisms.
2. RESEARCH METHODS
Psychology uses scientific methods to study behavior.
Types of Research
1. Experimental
• Manipulates variables
