Psychology Handwriting Notes [PDF]📚 - by Deepak Singh

Introduction to Psychology

• Definition: The scientific study of the mind and behavior.
• Scope: Encompasses human and animal behavior, conscious and unconscious processes, thoughts, feelings, and motivations.
• Goals: Describe, explain, predict, and control behavior.
• Subfields: Diverse, ranging from biological to social aspects of human experience.
• Research Methods: Experiments, surveys, case studies, naturalistic observation, and correlational studies.

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Developmental Psychology

• Focus: Human growth and development from conception to death.
• Key Stages: Infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age.
• Domains: Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development.
• Influential Theories: Piaget's cognitive development, Erikson's psychosocial development, and Vygotsky's sociocultural theory.
• Issues: Nature vs. nurture, continuity vs. stages, stability vs. change.

Cognitive Psychology

• Focus: Mental processes involved in acquiring, processing, storing, and retrieving information.
• Areas of Study: Perception, attention, memory, language, problem-solving, and decision-making.
• Key Concepts: Schema, cognitive maps, information processing, artificial intelligence.
• Research Methods: Experiments, computer simulations, and brain imaging.

Behavioral Psychology

• Focus: Observable behaviors and their relationship to environmental stimuli.
• Key Figures: Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, B.F. Skinner.
• Concepts: Classical conditioning, operant conditioning, reinforcement, punishment.
• Applications: Behavior modification, therapy, education, and animal training.

Social Psychology

• Focus: How individuals think, feel, and behave in social situations.
• Topics: Attitudes, prejudice, conformity, obedience, aggression, altruism, group dynamics, and interpersonal relationships.
• Key Theories: Attribution theory, cognitive dissonance theory, social exchange theory.
• Research Methods: Experiments, surveys, and observational studies.

Clinical Psychology

• Focus: Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders.
• Roles: Psychotherapy, psychological testing, research, and consultation.
• Therapeutic Approaches: Psychoanalysis, behavior therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, humanistic therapy, and biological therapies.
• Mental Disorders: Anxiety disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and substance abuse disorders.

Biopsychology

• Focus: Biological bases of behavior and mental processes.
• Areas of Study: Nervous system, endocrine system, genetics, neurotransmitters, brain structure and function.
• Research Methods: Brain imaging, animal studies, and human experimentation.
• Topics: Sensation, perception, emotion, motivation, learning, and memory.

Psychological Disorders

• Definition: Mental health conditions that disrupt a person's thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.
• Classification: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
• Causes: Biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.
• Treatment: Psychotherapy, medication, and other interventions.

Therapeutic Approaches

• Psychoanalysis: Unconscious conflicts, dream analysis, free association.
• Behavior Therapy: Learning principles to modify maladaptive behaviors.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Changing thoughts and behaviors to improve emotional well-being.
• Humanistic Therapy: Self-actualization, empathy, unconditional positive regard.
• Biological Therapies: Medication, electroconvulsive therapy, psychosurgery.