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Are self-help books psychologically sound?

Behavior and Mental Processes

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Behavior is any action that people can observe or measure, such as walking, talking, sleeping, and eating.

Cognitive activities are mental processes.

They include dreams, perceptions, thoughts, and memories.

Emotions can affect both behavior and mental processes.

To study emotions, psychologists might use psychological constructs to help them study what we cannot see, touch, or measure directly.

Current Research in Psychology

Neuroimaging and Cognitive Research: allows scientists to study a human brain as it functions.

Positron emission topography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are two technologies that create images of the brain as it processes mental functions.

Neuroimaging has been used to study Alzheimer’s disease.

Some psychologists are skeptical about the value of neuroimaging.

They claim that neuroimaging shows how the brain behaves but tells little about how the mind, or conscious thought, works.

Neuroimaging has been useful in cognitive research.

Cognitive research is the study of mental processes and mental disorders.

Neuroimaging may help psychologists diagnose and cure mental disorders.

Social Science

Psychology is a social science

Based on findings that are subjected to careful scrutiny

Grounded in facts

Psychology is a social science based on verifiable evidence and theories that are tested according to the scientific method. False sciences, on the other hand, do not rely on verifiable evidence.

False Science

Astrology and Palm reading are a false science

Based on idea that the moon, stars, and planets can affect human personality and destiny

Not grounded in facts

The Barnum Effect

The tendency to believe general personality reports such as horoscopes. Named after P.T. Barnum, who once said a good circus should “have something for everyone.” Horoscopes work the same way.

Why Study Psychology?

How do psychologists help change behavior?

Answer:

by understanding factors that influence human behavior, teaching people how to filter out distractions and keep their anxiety at tolerable levels

Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes.

Psychologists seek to observe, describe, explain, predict, and modify behavior and mental processes.

Psychologists rely on research to learn whether certain methods will work before they use them to help people.

Main Idea

Psychology is a science. Like other scientists, psychologists seek to explain and control behavior and mental processes and test their ideas through research methods.

Explaining Behavior

Psychologists observe and describe behavior and mental processes to better understand them.

Example: Sports psychologists can help athletes improve performance by measuring athletes’ heart rates and other body processes and by interviewing athletes.

Psychologists explain behavior that might hinder an athlete’s performance.

Predicting and Controlling

Psychologists predict that athletes perform best when anxiety is moderate.

Psychologists help athletes control their behavior and mental processes by teaching them how to control anxiety.

Positive visualization is one method sports psychologists use to help athletes perform better.

Psychologists focus on helping people reach their own goals.

The Goals of Psychology

What do psychologists study?

Answer:

behavior and mental processes

Identify the goals of psychology, and explain how psychology is related to science.

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