Unit.I.INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY.
Unit.I.INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY.
Unit.I.INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY.
Prepared
by
Shahla Arshad
Define Psychology.
Psychology:
The scientific study of mind and its functions.
Developmental psychology:
Developmental psychology is the branch of psychology
that studies physical, cognitive, and social change of
humans throughout their life cycle.
MAJOR PERSPECTIVES OF PSYCHOLOGY
Psychoanalytic
Behaviorism
Humanism
Biological/Biomedical
Constructivism
Cognitivism
PSYCHOANALYSIS
The psychodynamic perspective originated with the work
of Sigmund Freud. This perspective emphasizes the role of
the unconscious mind, early childhood experiences, and
interpersonal relationships to explain human behavior and
to treat people suffering from mental illnesses.
Theory of Narcissism
Id = unconscious = pleasure principle
-Primary process thinking: wish fulfillment
-I want it now! Instant gratification
-Part of the iceberg that is submerged underwater
Ego = conscious = reality principle
- What are the real-world consequences of my actions?
- secondary process thinking: reality testing
- part of the iceberg that is above water and aware of reality
Superego = preconscious = morality principle
-What is the proper way to behave? Parents/Society
-sense of right and wrong
-Part of the iceberg that is just under the water but can
sometimes surface
Freud's Writing
Abnormal Psychology
Is a field of psychology that deals with psychopathology and abnormal
behavior.
Biopsychology
This area of psychology is focused on how the brain, neurons, and nervous
system influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with the
assessment and treatment of mental illness, abnormal behavior, and
psychiatric problems.
Cognitive Psychology
This area of psychology is centered on the science of how people think,
learn, and remember. Psychologists who work in this field often study things
such as perception, language, learning, memory, attention, decision-making,
and problem-solving.
Comparative Psychology
This field of psychology is centered on the study of animal behavior.
Counseling Psychology
It is centered on treating clients experiencing mental distress and a
wide variety of psychological symptoms.
Developmental Psychology
Psychologists who study development are interested in how people
change and grow throughout the entire lifespan. They often study
things such as physical growth, intellectual development, emotional
changes, social growth, and perceptual changes that occur through
life.
Educational Psychology
Psychologists who work in this field are focused on understanding
how people learn.
Experimental Psychology
Experimental psychology is an area of psychology that utilizes scientific
methods to research the mind and behavior.
Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology is defined as the junction of psychology and the law,
but forensic psychologists can perform many roles so this definition can
vary.
Health Psychology
Health psychologists are interested in improving health across a wide
variety of domains. These professionals not only promote healthy
behaviors, they also work on the prevention and treatment of illness and
disease.
Human Factors Psychology
People who work in human factors are focused on improving how people
interact with products and machines both in and out of the workplace.
They might help design products intended to minimize injury or create
workplaces that promote greater accuracy and improved safety.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology
This field of psychology, often referred to as I/O psychology, works to improve
productivity and efficiency in the workplace while also maximizing the well-being
of employees.
Personality Psychology
This field is focused on the study of the thought patterns, feelings, and behaviors
that make each individual unique.
School Psychology
Professionals in this field that work in schools to help kids deal with academic,
emotional, and social issues. School psychologists also collaborate with teachers,
students, and parents to help create a healthy learning environment.
Social Psychology
This field of psychology is focused on the study of topics such as group behavior,
social perception, leadership, nonverbal behavior, aggression and prejudice.
Sports Psychology
Sports psychology is the study of how psychology influences sports, athletic
performance, exercise and physical activity. Some sports psychologists work with
professional athletes and coaches to improve performance and increase motivation.
Importance of Psychology In Nursing
Walker, Payne, Smith, & Jarrett(2007) present some very solid facts showing the
importance of psychology in nursing profession. They are as follows:
It is important to consider that how people’s thoughts and needs vary and what
best can be done to ensure these needs satisfied.
It helps in establishing the communication processes in order to improve the
therapeutic relationship and work more effectively in inter-professional contexts.
Understanding can be built on how people react in different situations of illness,
pain and distress. This also helps in meeting their demands in a better way.
Psychological factors inform the health care professionals about the lifestyles of
people and how certain health-related behaviours i.e. smoking, dietary change
and exercise, can affect that.
Logical steps can be taken in order to improve the health and well-being of these
individuals.
psychology provides an opportunity for nurses to understand their
responsibilities in a better way and perform exactly as what is expected of them.
Psychology plays a vital role in understanding the health-related matters of the
individuals and nurses need to know them.