The document discusses the key topics in the first chapter of a psychology textbook. It outlines the goals of psychology as observing, describing, explaining, predicting, and controlling behavior. Psychology is considered a social science but is founded on natural science principles. The document also lists the many areas of specialization in psychology and describes how the field has developed over time from ancient Greece to modern contributions. Finally, it identifies the seven main contemporary perspectives in psychology as biological, evolutionary, cognitive, humanistic, psychoanalytic, learning, and sociocultural.

1. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY
PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE
1
Chapter 1Chapter 1
Question: What are the goals of psychology, and how is
psychology a science?
GOALS OF PSYCHOLOGY
 Observe
 Describe behavior
 Explain
 Predict
 Control
Section 1: Why Study Psychology?

2. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY
PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE
2
Chapter 1Chapter 1
Question: What are the goals of psychology, and how is
psychology a science?
THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology is a social science but has its
foundation in the natural sciences. It deals with
the structure of human society and interactions
of individuals who make up society.
Section 1: Why Study Psychology?

3. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY
PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE
3
Chapter 1Chapter 1
Question: What do psychologists do, and what are their
areas of specialization?
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
 Clinical – the largest group – treat psychological
problems
 Counseling – treat adjustment problems
 School – deal with students who have problems that
interfere with learning
 Educational Psychologist – focus on course planning
and instructional methods
Section 2: What Psychologists Do

4. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY
PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE
4
Chapter 1Chapter 1
Question: What do psychologists do, and what are their
areas of specialization?
 Personality Psychologist – identify characteristics or
traits
 Social Psychologist – concerned with people’s
behavior in social situations
 Experimental Psychologist – conduct research into
basic processes
Section 2: What Psychologists Do
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (continued)

5. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY
PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE
5
Chapter 1Chapter 1
Question: What do psychologists do, and what are their
areas of specialization?
 Industrial and Organizational Psychologist – focus on
people in work and business
 Environmental Psychologist – focus on ways in
which people influence and are influenced by
physical environment
 Consumer Psychologist – study the behavior of
shoppers to explain and predict behavior
Section 2: What Psychologists Do
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (continued)

6. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY
PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE
6
Chapter 1Chapter 1
Question: What do psychologists do, and what are their
areas of specialization?
 Forensic Psychologist – are concerned with how
psychological problems give rise to criminal behavior
 Health Psychologist – study the ways in which
behavior and mental processes are related to physical
health
Section 2: What Psychologists Do
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (continued)

7. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY
PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE
7
Chapter 1Chapter 1
Question: How has the study of psychology developed over
time?
PSYCHOLOGY DEVELOPED OVER TIME
 Began in ancient Greece
 Revived during the scientific advances of the 1500s,
1600s and 1700s
 Contributions were made by modern psychologists
such as William James, B.F. Skinner, and Sigmund
Freud
Section 3: A History of Psychology

8. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY
PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE
8
Chapter 1Chapter 1
Question: What are the seven main contemporary
perspectives in psychology?
SEVEN MAIN CONTEMPORARY
PERSPECTIVES IN PSYCHOLOGY
 Biological – nervous system, glands, hormones,
genetic factors
 Evolutionary – physical traits, social behavior
 Cognitive – interpretation of mental images,
thinking, language
 Humanistic – self-concept
Section 4: Contemporary Perspectives

9. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY
PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE
9
Chapter 1Chapter 1
Question: What are the seven main contemporary
perspectives in psychology?
 Psychoanalytic – environmental influences, learning,
observational learning
 Learning – effects of experience on behavior
 Sociocultural – ethnicity, gender, culture,
socioeconomic status
Section 4: Contemporary Perspectives
SEVEN MAIN CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES IN PSYCHOLOGY (continued)

10. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY
PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE
9
Chapter 1Chapter 1
Question: What are the seven main contemporary
perspectives in psychology?
 Psychoanalytic – environmental influences, learning,
observational learning
 Learning – effects of experience on behavior
 Sociocultural – ethnicity, gender, culture,
socioeconomic status
Section 4: Contemporary Perspectives
SEVEN MAIN CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES IN PSYCHOLOGY (continued)