PSYC 100 Lecture : chpt1.docx

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 100
• Professor: Leah Esplen

Document Summary

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Focuses on empirical evidence and critical thinking. Established first psychology lab in leipzig, germany in 1879. Forced scientists and thoughtful people working in many disciplines to consider the basic features held in common by many or all animals, such as thinking and social behavior. Animals keep features through evolution that help them adapt to environments. Behavior driven by unconscious processes and unresolved past conflicts. Rejected introspection; study of mental processes determined unscientific. Redefined psychology as science of observable behavior . One"s perception of reality is what matters. Led to modern field of positive psychology. Social psychology: examining behavior and mental processes in context of social situations and cultures. Involves the study of social interactions, stereotypes, prejudices, attitudes, conformity, group behaviors, and aggression. People"s conscious or unconscious beliefs about potential social consequences of acting in a certain way.