Monday January 10, 2011
Introduction to Psychology
Professor: Dr. Urbszat
Office: 4042 SSH (Mondays 4:30-6)
Email: psy100e@psych.utoronto.ca
*Check Blackboard frequently for Lecture Slides. The Course Syllabus is also on Blackboard. Ex-
periments start the week of the17th, you can sign up for them now on Blackboard. Have chapters 1
and 2 read for next week’s lecture.
Lecture:
What is Psychology?
•If a theory is not testable- it is not a scientific theory.
•Wilhelm Wundt asked, “Who am I” He combined philosophy with physiology.
•Biggest questions in psychology: What is conscienceness? What is the mind?
Psychology is the study of all behaviour (what an animal or human does, feels, or thinks)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is considered the “Gold Standard Treatment” for many disorders
(i.e. depression, sleeping disorders and etc.)
Even chronic pain is being treated with both medication as well as through psychological treat-
ment.
Psychology provides information to help us make better choices.
As humans that’s what life is all about, solving problems everyday (e.g. Should I get out of bed?
What should I eat? Where should I sit? More complex: Who should I love?
Psychology is like a tool kit helping us to solve and fix things (make better choices/fix problems)
Most of psychology is counter-intuitive. For example: Someone who falls and clearly needs help-
the more people around, the less likely that person will be assisted. While the less people around,
the more likely that person will receive help. Why? It is called, “By Stander Apathy” Everyone
thinks, “Someone else will do it”
The consciousness is merely a small sliver of the information that moves our behaviour. Our un-
consciousness is what drives us.
Your unconscious is always working.
Major Perspectives: