NSC 240:

PSYCHOLOGY APPLIED TO
NURSING

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
 PSYCHOLOGY

The scientific study of behavior and the

mental process that is tested through
scientific research.
The field is scientific in that approaches
(should be systematic in approach) to
studies are done orderly and systematically
in order to obtain objective evidence.
 PSYCHOLOGY

Psychologists study overt and covert behavior.

 The overt behaviors are observable behavior,
while covert behaviors include private mental
processes that cannot be directly observed or
measured and must be inferred from overt
behavior.
Examples of overt behaviours are; laughing,
walking, eating, gestures, facial expression etc and
covert behaviour include the following; Perceiving,
remembering, reasoning, thinking, creating,
feelings etc
 GOALS OF PSYCHOLOGY

Psychologists seek to do four things when studying

behaviors:
Describe: What is the nature of the behavior? It gathers
information on studied behavior and present what is
known.
Explain: Why does it occur? Creating a hypothesis
(educated guess) to understand why a behavior is
practiced.
Predict: By studying past behaviors, future behaviors can
be predicted based upon theory
Control behavior: What factors influence the behavior?
Influence- using what is known to influence future
behavior.
 HISTORICAL APPROACH TO PSYCHOLOGY

Structuralism – Study of basic elements that make up

human experiences.
Wilhelm Wundt – In 1879, used people’s self
observations about their thoughts (introspection) to map
out structure of the thought process.
Functionalism – study of the function or how people &
animals adapt to environment. William James – known as
the “father of psychology” taught first psych class in 1875
and wrote first textbook in 1890. He was concerned with
ongoing conscious experience and the functions of mental
processes. His views gave rise to the branch of psychology
called Functionalism.
 HISTORICAL APPROACH (Cont’d)

Inheritable Traits – study of how heredity

influences a person’s ability, character, and behavior.
Is behavior determined by heredity or environment?
Sir Francis Galton – Concluded that intelligence
was hereditary / good marriages would supply the
world with talented offspring. (1883).
Gestalt Psychology - Perception is more than the
sum of its parts – it involves a whole pattern. German
group that picked apart cognitive thought process.
 HISTORICAL APPROACH (Cont’d)

Contemporary Approaches to Psychology (mid

1900’s to Present)
Psychoanalytic Psychology- study of unconscious
motives & conflict determine behavior. Sigmund Freud
– used free association and dream analysis to study
behavior (1940).
Behaviorism – Study of how organisms learn or change
behavior based upon responses to events in their
environment. (Early-mid1900’s). it held the view that only
overt behavior can be studied scientifically. They
advocated the use of strict experimental procedure in
psychology.
 Contemporary Approaches to Psychology (mid 1900’s to
Present)

Strict behaviorists believed that all behaviours are

shaped by the environment. “Give me a dozen healthy
infants, well-formed,….. regardless of his talents,
penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of
his ancestors”…….John Watson.
Ivan Pavlov – Classical conditioning experiment with
dog’s salivation.
B.F. Skinner – Introduced concept reinforcement to
show how behaviors repeat.
John B. Watson –Behavior occurs due to stimuli in
environment.
 Contemporary Approaches

Humanistic Psychology – Belief that each person

has freedom in directing his/her future an achieving
personal growth. Humans are not controlled by
environment, but by their own self concept. Humans
are not being controlled by unconscious or
environmental forces, we have free will, goals,
aspirations and other positive motives which should
be studied. It is influenced by Carl Rogers.
Abraham Maslow – Humanist whose views
differed from behaviorists and psychoanalysts.
 Contemporary Approaches

Cognitive Psychology – Study of how we process,

store retrieve, and use information and how the
thought process influences our behaviors. (since
1950’s). Jean Piaget – leader in the cognitive field of
psychology.
Biological Psychology – study of how physical and
chemical changes in our bodies influence behaviors.
Explains the brain, nervous system, hormones effect on
behavior.
Sociocultural Psychology – study of cultural and
socioeconomic influences on behaviors  
 BRANCHES OF PSYCHOLOGY

These branches are broadly divided into two

categories;
Basic Branches: This provides the theoretical
framework of the subject. These branches deals
with formulation of principles, theories and
suggest different methods for the assessment of
behaviour.
 The pure branches also suggest certain techniques
for the modification of problematic behaviour.
 BRANCHES (Cont’d)
General psychology: It explains various psychological
processes such as sensations, perception, emotions,
learning, intelligence, personality etc.
Developmental psychology: It explains the growth
and development of various processes in relation to
behaviour. It explains human life through the stages of
conception to old age.
Child psychology: Childhood extends from 2 to 12
years. This is a crucial period in the life. Future life
depends upon development during childhood. Growth
and development will be rapid during this stage. Child
psychology deals with these aspects.
 BRANCHES (Cont’d)
Physiological psychology: This branch describes the
biological basis of behavior.
Animal psychology: It deals with behaviour of animals.
Social psychology: It deals with interrelationships of
people among themselves, likes and dislikes of people,
attitudes and interests.
Experimental Psychology – studies sensation, behavior,
perception, learning, motivation, and emotion in controlled
laboratory conditions.
Parapsychology: Some of the psychological experiences
are beyond the reach of 5 sense organs. This is the reason
why they are called Extra-sensory perceptions (ESP)
 BRANCHES (Cont’d)

Applied branches deals with the application of

psychological principles and techniques for approaching
the problems in different fields of life.
Clinical Psychologist- Diagnoses and treats people
with emotional disturbances (about ½ of all
psychologists are clinical).
Counseling Psychologist- Help people deal with
problems /challenges of life.
Educational Psychologist – Study topics related to
educating children such as intelligence, memory, and
problem solving.
 BRANCHES (Cont’d)

Community Psychologist – Studies behavior in

mental health or social welfare institution in order
to design run or evaluate programs for patients.
Industrial/Organizational Psychologist –
Studies concepts to make the workplace more
satisfying for employees and managers.
 BRANCHES (End)

Forensic Psychologist – Studies, diagnoses, and

evaluates testimony regarding the law and criminal
behavior (Also includes effects of court on children,
jury selection, counseling victims)
Sports Psychology- Studies athletics and athletic
performance. Often use visualization to help athletes
mentally rehearse successful steps in completing
tasks while reducing negative thoughts of failure.