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COLLEGE DEPARTMENT

Learning Module
In
General Psychology
(SY. 2021-2022)

Prepared by:
Shanice May Magbuhat
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WEEK 1
Chapter 2.

I. Lesson Objectives
• Define and explain the nature of psychology; relate psychology with other fields; •
School of psychology
• Major branches of psychology
• Identify the major fields of psychology and relate it to different career opportunities •
Describe the different methods of psychology
II. Read and Learn

Psychogenesis refers to the origin and development of psychological processes,

personality, or behavior or the development of a physical disorder or illness
resulting from psychological, rather than physiological, factors.

School of Psychology

Structuralism and Functionalism: Early Schools of Thought

Structuralism is widely regarded as the first school of thought in psychology. This

outlook focused on breaking down mental processes into the most basic
components. Major thinkers associated with structuralism include Wilhelm Wundt
and Edward Titchener. The focus of structuralism was on reducing mental processes
down into their most basic elements. The structuralists used techniques such as
introspection to analyze the inner processes of the human mind.

Functionalism formed as a reaction to the theories of the structuralist school of

thought and was heavily influenced by the work of William James. It functioned on
the mind's functions and adaptations. Unlike some of the other well-known schools
of thought in psychology, functionalism is not associated with a single dominant
theorist. Instead, there are some different functionalist thinkers associated with this
outlook including John Dewey, James Rowland Angell, and Harvey Carr.

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Gestalt Psychology

Gestalt psychology is a school of psychology based upon the idea that we

experience things as unified wholes. This approach to psychology began in
Germany and Austria during the late 19th century in response to the molecular
approach of structuralism.

Instead of breaking down thoughts and behavior to their smallest elements, the
gestalt psychologists believed that you must look at the whole of experience.
According to the Gestalt thinkers, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
 The Behaviorist School of Thought in Psychology

Behaviorism became a dominant school of thought during the 1950s. It was based
upon the work of thinkers such as:

• John B. Watson
• Ivan Pavlov
• B. F. Skinner

Behaviorism suggests that all behavior can be explained by environmental causes

rather than by internal forces. Behaviorism is focused on observable behavior.
Theories of learning including classical conditioning and operant conditioning were
the focus of a great deal of research.

The behavioral school of psychology had a significant influence on the course of

psychology, and many of the ideas and techniques that emerged from this school of
thought are still widely used today. Behavioral training, token economies, aversion
therapy, and other techniques are frequently used in psychotherapy and behavior
modification programs.

The Psychoanalytic School of Thought

Psychoanalysis is a school of psychology founded by Sigmund Freud. This school of

thought emphasized the influence of the unconscious mind on behavior.

Freud believed that the human mind was composed of three elements: the id, ego,
and superego. The id consists of primal urges while the ego is the component of
personality charged with dealing with reality. The superego is the part of the
personality that holds all of the ideals and values we internalize from our parents and
culture. Freud believed that the interaction of these three elements was what led to
all of the complex human behaviors.

Freud's school of thought was enormously influential, but also generated considerable
debate. This controversy existed not only in his time but also in modern discussions of
Freud's theories.

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Other major psychoanalytic thinkers include:

• Anna Freud
• Carl Jung
• Erik Erikson
The Humanistic School of Thought

Humanistic psychology developed as a response to psychoanalysis and behaviorism.

Humanistic psychology instead focused on individual free will, personal growth and the
concept of self-actualization. While early schools of thought were primarily centered on
abnormal human behavior, humanistic psychology differed considerably in its emphasis
on helping people achieve and fulfill their potential.

Major humanist thinkers include:

• Abraham Maslow
• Carl Rogers

Humanistic psychology remains quite popular today and has had a significant influence
on other areas of psychology including positive psychology. This particular branch of
psychology is centered on helping people living happier, more fulfilling lives.

Cognitive School of Psychology

Cognitive psychology is the school of psychology that studies mental processes

including how people think, perceive, remember and learn. As part of the larger field of
cognitive science, this branch of psychology is related to other disciplines including
neuroscience, philosophy, and linguistics.

Cognitive psychology began to emerge during the 1950s, partly as a response to

behaviorism. Critics of behaviorism noted that it failed to account for how internal
processes impacted behavior. This period is sometimes referred to as the "cognitive
revolution" as a wealth of research on topics such as information processing, language,
memory, and perception that began to emerge.

One of the most influential theories of this school of thought was the stages of cognitive
development theory proposed by Jean Piaget.

Major branches and subfields of Psychology

Abnormal Psychology

Abnormal psychology is the area that looks at psychopathology and abnormal behavior.
Mental health professionals help assess, diagnose, and treat a wide variety of

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psychological disorders including anxiety and depression. Counselors, clinical

psychologists, and psychotherapists often work directly in this field.
Behavioral Psychology

Behavioral psychology, also known as behaviorism, is a theory of learning based on the

idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. While this branch of
psychology dominated the field during the first part of the twentieth century, it became
less prominent during the 1950s. However, behavioral techniques remain a mainstay in
therapy, education, and many other areas.

People often utilize behavioral strategies such as classical conditioning and operant
conditioning to teach or modify behaviors. For example, a teacher might use a system of
rewards in order to teach students to behave during class. When students are good, they
receive gold stars which can then be turned in for some sort of special privilege.

Biopsychology

Biopsychology is a branch of psychology focused on how the brain, neurons, and

nervous system influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This field draws on many
different disciplines including basic psychology, experimental psychology, biology,
physiology, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience.

People who work in this field often study how brain injuries and brain diseases impact
human behavior.

Biopsychology is also sometimes referred to as physiological psychology, behavioral

neuroscience, or psychobiology.

Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with the assessment and
treatment of mental illness, abnormal behavior, and psychiatric disorders. Clinicians often
work in private practices, but many also work in community centers or at universities and
colleges.

Others work in hospital settings or mental health clinics as part of a collaborative team
that may include physicians, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals.

Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychology is the branch of psychology that focuses on internal mental states.
This area of psychology has continued to grow since it emerged in the 1960s. This area
of psychology is centered on the science of how people think, learn, and remember.

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Psychologists who work in this field often study things such as perception, motivation,
emotion, language, learning, memory, attention, decision-making, and problem-solving.

Cognitive psychologists often use an information-processing model to describe how the

mind works, suggesting that the brain stores and processes information much like a
computer.

Comparative Psychology

Comparative psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with the study of animal
behavior. The study of animal behavior can lead to a deeper and broader understanding
of human psychology.

This area has its roots in the work of researchers such as Charles Darwin and George
Romanes and has grown into a highly multidisciplinary subject. Psychologists often
contribute to this field, as do biologists, anthropologists, ecologists, geneticists, and
many others.

Counseling Psychology

Counseling psychology is one of the largest individual subfields in psychology. It is

centered on treating clients experiencing mental distress and a wide variety of
psychological symptoms.

The Society of Counseling Psychology describes the field as an area that can improve
interpersonal functioning throughout life by improving social and emotional health as well
as addressing concerns about health, work, family, marriage, and more.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Cross-cultural psychology is a branch of psychology that looks at how cultural factors

influence human behavior. The International Association of Cross-Cultural Psychology
(IACCP) was established in 1972, and this branch of psychology has continued to grow
and develop since that time.

Today, increasing numbers of psychologists investigate how behavior differs among

various cultures throughout the world.

Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychology focuses on how people change and grow throughout life. The
scientific study of human development seeks to understand and explain how and why
people change throughout life. Developmental psychologists often study things such as
physical growth, intellectual development, emotional changes, social growth, and
perceptual changes that occur over the course of the lifespan.

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These psychologists generally specialize in an area such as infant, child, adolescent, or

geriatric development, while others may study the effects of developmental delays. This
field covers a huge range of topics including everything from prenatal development to
Alzheimer's disease.

Educational Psychology

Educational psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with schools, teaching

psychology, educational issues, and student concerns. Educational psychologists often
study how students learn or work directly with students, parents, teachers, and
administrators to improve student outcomes.

They might study how different variables influence individual student outcomes. They
also study topics such as learning disabilities, giftedness, the instructional process, and
individual differences.

Experimental Psychology

Experimental psychology is the branch of psychology that utilizes scientific methods to

research the brain and behavior. Many of these techniques are also used by other areas
in psychology to conduct research on everything from childhood development to social
issues.

Experimental psychologists work in a wide variety of settings including colleges,

universities, research centers, government, and private businesses. Experimental
psychologists utilize the scientific method to study a whole range of human behaviors
and psychological phenomena.

This branch of psychology is often viewed as a distinct subfield within psychology, but
experimental techniques and methods are actually used extensively throughout every
subfield of psychology. Some of the methods used in experimental psychology include
experiments, correlational studies, case studies, and naturalistic observation.

Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology is a specialty area that deals with issues related to psychology and
the law. Those who work in this field of psychology apply psychological principles to legal
issues. This may involve studying criminal behavior and treatments or working directly in
the court system.

Forensic psychologists perform a wide variety of duties, including providing testimony in

court cases, assessing children in suspected child abuse cases, preparing children to
give testimony and evaluating the mental competence of criminal suspects.
 6
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This branch of psychology is defined as the intersection of psychology and the law, but
forensic psychologists can perform many roles so this definition can vary. In many cases,
people working in forensic psychology are not necessarily "forensic psychologists."
These individuals might be clinical psychologists, school psychologists, neurologists, or
counselors who lend their psychological expertise to provide testimony, analysis, or
recommendations in legal or criminal cases.

Health Psychology

Health psychology is a specialty area that focuses on how biology, psychology, behavior
and social factors influence health and illness. Other terms including medical psychology
and behavioral medicine are sometimes used interchangeably with the term health
psychology. The field of health psychology is focused on promoting health as well as the
prevention and treatment of disease and illness.

Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Industrial-organizational psychology is a branch that applies psychological principles to

research on workplace issues such as productivity and behavior. 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

Personality psychology is the branch of psychology that focuses on the study of the
thought patterns, feelings, and behaviors that make each individual unique. Classic
theories of personality include Freud's psychoanalytic theory of personality and Erikson's
theory of psychosocial development.

School Psychology

School psychology is a field that involves working 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

Social psychology seeks to explain and understand social behavior and looks at diverse
topics including group behavior, social interactions, leadership, nonverbal
communication, and social influences on decision-making.
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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.
Other professionals utilize exercise and sports to enhance people’s lives and well-being
throughout the entire lifespan.

5 Research Methods Used in Psychology

1. Case Study

Case study research falls under the qualitative branch of research methodology. Case
studies involve deep inquiry into individuals, groups, communities, or events. They often
combine a multi-methodological approach that integrates participant interviews and
unobtrusive observations. Case studies in the psychology discipline are typically
conducted on specific individuals. A psychology case study most often collects salient
and seminal biographical moments from a patient’s past as well as important events in
the individual’s daily life that may animate maladaptive behaviors and thinking.

Notable case study practitioners include Sigmund Freud, who used case studies
extensively to delve into the lives of his patients to understand, diagnose, and assist
them with their psychological ailments.
Case studies are conducted by interviewing and observing patient behavior. The
researcher describes the behavior and discusses events from the patient’s perspective.
Often the interviews are unstructured and the observations are the individual going about
his or her everyday life. Other sources of data may include journals, notes, photos, etc.
Data is then evaluated to find common themes and interpretations.

2. Experiment

Although this is introduced as a broad kind of research that can be a component of many
methods, the term here is used to denote a specific procedure. In science, experiments
are the an often-used method of research, and there are certain principles involved in its
employment. One is the presence of a control group. This is an individual or a group of
individuals that is not manipulated.

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Another principle is the control of variables. That is, the experiment should be as free of
extraneous data as possible. This factor enables psychologists to repeat the experiment,
and that is one requirement of reliable research.

3. Observational Study

Observational study is qualitative research that can be carried out in a myriad of differing
ways using non-experimental means where behavior is simply observed systematically.
The main objective of observational research is to discover variables that may impact
behaviors in individuals, groups, and social constructs. The research is described as non
experimental because it occurs in a natural setting without controls. Observational
research can involve mixed methods that may include multiple qualitative techniques
and quantitative methods.

Naturalistic observation is described as observation that takes place in the participant’s

natural environment. For example, psychologists studying mental health in the penal
system will observe incarcerated people in jails and prisons. In some instances, the
observation may take place without the participants’ knowledge. This is known as
disguised naturalistic observation, and it is considered ethical if the individuals remain
anonymous and the observation takes place in public contexts where no expectation of
privacy exists.

4. Survey

Survey research can be both quantitative and qualitative, and it is widely used in not only
psychology research but across the sciences. Respondents (those answering the
questions) are sent surveys and are asked to self-report their actions, thoughts, and
feelings to measure how certain variables may impact them. One of the most critical
aspects of survey research is the sampling method used. Most researchers prefer large
 samples that are representative of the population they are studying to obtain a
representative estimate of what is accurate among the population. Samples in
psychology are often random and large.

Surveys vary greatly. They can be lengthy or quite short. They can be conducted over a
variety of communication channels such as over the internet, in person, in the mail, by

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telephone, and with video chat. The data collected can be used for quantitative purposes
or qualitative measures, depending on the purpose of the research and the design of the
questions. Surveys are used widely across the social sciences. They have their roots in
documenting the prevalence of social problems, including poverty and overall economic
conditions.

5. Content Analysis

This method of research involves analyzing large amounts of text-based data in an effort
to identify meanings and thematic consistencies. It can be used in quantitative and
qualitative contexts. For example, quantitative researchers may search for specific words
or phrases and add them for a final count. Qualitative content analysis search more for
the meaning of texts through the identification of themes in the data. Qualitative analysis
of this kind relies on the practice of coding and categorizing the content to make sense of
it. Researchers often use a technique known as close reading, in which phrases are
turned into coded units. The text is read repeatedly until all of the texts are coded and
the point of data saturation has been reached. This process is inductive analysis
because no theory is being tested; rather the data is coded in an effort to see if a theory
emerges. This process is known as conventional or formative analysis.

III. Activity
Write your answer in MS Word, then send it thru google classroom.
1. Differentiate the following school of psychology. Elaborate your answer?
a. Structuralism
b. Functionalism
c. Gestalt Psychology
d. Behaviorist Psychology
e. Psychoanalytic Psychology
f. Humanistic Psychology
 g. Cognitive Psychology

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Instruction: Match each subfield of psychology with the issues or questions posed below.
A. Abnormal Psychology
B. Experimental Psychology
C. Cognitive Psychology
D. Developmental Psychology
E. Personality Psychology
F. Health Psychology
G. Clinical Psychology
H. Counseling Psychology

___________1. Joan, a college freshman, is worried about her grades. She needs to
learn better organizational skills and study habits to cope with the demands of
college.
___________2. At what age do children generally begin to acquire emotional
attachment to their fathers?
____________3. It is thought that pornographic films that depict violence against
women may prompt aggressive behaviour in some men.
____________4. What chemicals are released in the human body as a result of
a stressful event? What are their effects on behaviour?
_____________5. Luis is unique in his manner of responding crisis situation, with an
even temperament and a positive outlook.
_____________6. The teacher of 8-year-old Jack is concerned that he has recently
begun to withdraw socially and to show little interest in schoolwork.
_____________7. Janetta’s job is demanding and stressful. She wonders if her
lifestyle is making her more prone to certain illness, such as cancer and heart
disease.
_____________8. A psychologist is intrigued by the fact that some people are much
more sensitive to painful stimuli than others are.
_____________9. A strong fear of crowds leads a young man to seek treatment for
his problems.
_____________10. What mental strategies are involved in solving complex word
problems?

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