Psychology 1:

Introduction to Psychology

“Human Behaviour” by Björk

 Psychology 1:
Introduction to Psychology

“The Beginning After The End” – Stars

“Human Behaviour” by Björk

 Psychology 1:
Introduction to Psychology

“Where Is My Mind?” – The Pixies

“Human Behaviour” by Björk

 Psychology 1:
Introduction to Psychology

“Soul Meets Body” – Death Cab for Cutie

 Psychology 1:
Introduction to Psychology

“Human Behaviour” – Björk

 Psychology 1:
Introduction to Psychology

“Back In Your Head” – Tegan & Sara

“Yadda yadda yadda”
xn + yn = zn
?
 • mental algorithm
• cognitive processes

mind
#include <iostream.h>
void main()
{
int x,y;
cout << "Enter an integer: ";
cin >> x;
y = x * 2;
cout << "\n" << y <<" is twice " << x <<".\n";
}

…
…
 What is psychology?

“The science of the elementary laws of the mind”

-- John Stuart Mill (1843), System of Logic

“The study of mind, brain, and behavior”

-- Gazzaniga & Heatherton (2006), Psychological Science

mind
 The many ways to study mind scientifically

Social

Personality

Experimental Cognitive

Psychology Developmental

Abnormal
Clinical
Five foundations of psychological science
Five foundations of psychological science

1) Evolution: Genes make brains

Five foundations of psychological science

1) Evolution: Genes make brains

Five foundations of psychological science

1) Evolution: Genes make brains

2) Materialism: Brains make minds
Five foundations of psychological science

1) Evolution: Genes make brains

2) Materialism: Brains make minds
3) Idealism: Minds make reality
Five foundations of psychological science

1) Evolution: Genes make brains

2) Materialism: Brains make minds
3) Idealism: Minds make reality
4) Modularity: The mind is a collection of parts
Five foundations of psychological science

1) Evolution: Genes make brains

2) Materialism: Brains make minds
3) Idealism: Minds make reality
4) Modularity: The mind is a collection of parts
5) Empiricism: Believe only what you can count
 Five foundations of psychological science

Lecture 1 1) Evolution: Genes make brains

Lecture 2 2) Materialism: Brains make minds
Lecture 4 3) Idealism: Minds make reality
Lecture 3 4) Modularity: The mind is a collection of parts
Lecture 5 5) Empiricism: Believe only what you can count
Why psychology?
Why psychology?
Why psychology?
Why psychology?
Why psychology?
Why psychology?
 Things you should know about this course

• Exams
• Sections/Labs
• Research participation
• Grades
 Things you should know about this course

• Exams
• Sections/Labs
• Research participation
• Grades

– 2 midterms: non-cumulative
multiple-choice and short-answer
exams (100 points each)
– final exam: cumulative multiple-
choice exam (100 points)
 Things you should know about this course

• Exams
• Sections/Labs
• Research participation
• Grades

– 10 in-section data collections

– 10 lab reports (2-3 pages)
 Things you should know about this course

• Exams
• Sections/Labs
• Research participation
• Grades

– 5 hours of experimental
participation in the
Department of Psychology
 Things you should know about this course

• Exams
• Sections/Labs
• Research participation
• Grades

Scores on 2 Midterms Exams

+
Score on Final Exam
+
Scores on 10 Lab Reports (x 10)

Total Score
 Things you should know about this course

• Exams
• Sections/Labs
• Research participation
• Grades
# of Students

Total Scores
 Things you should know about this course

APPROX % COURSE
STUDENTS
GRADE
• Exams 18% A
19% A-
• Sections/Labs 14% B+
• Research participation 15% B
09% B-
• Grades 07% C+
08% C
06% C-
03% D+
# of Students

01% D

Total Scores
 Things you will say about this course

“The lectures and textbook do not overlap perfectly”

≠
Things you will say about this course

“The exams aren’t very easy”

 Things you will say about this course

“There isn’t always time for questions in lecture”

 Things I hope you will say about this course

“The lectures are often fun / sometimes irreverent”

 Miscellany

– You cannot take this course pass/fail.

– The first full lecture is on Wednesday.

– Sections will begin the week of October 1st.

“The stellar universe is not so difficult of comprehension
as the real actions of other people.”
Marcel Proust, Remembrance of Things Past