Portfolio (Lab); Introduction to Psychology

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Period 1: Lab. Please use this time to work on your portfolio projects, read The Once & Future King (see previous posts for details about what to do with this novel), and take at least 5 minutes this morning to take one of these personality tests. We'll use the information we gather as we begin our discussion of psychology.

Personality tests
Personality test #1
Personality test #2
Jungian Personality Test

Period 2: Introduction to Psychology

Once & Future King (Jungian personality type quiz). Among your pairing, choose one of the following characters from The Once & Future King and together take the personality quiz using information from the book to suggest an answer for a character's decisions. You may select any of the following characters (some more obscure than others...):

  • Wart (Arthur)
  • Kay
  • Sir 'Ector
  • Merlyn
  • King Pellinore
  • Sir Grummore
  • Archimedes
  • Cully
  • Robin Wood (or Marion)
  • Morgan le Fey
  • Wat & the Dog Boy
  • Master William Twyti
  • Old Jack, the king of the moat
  • The ants
  • The badger

After scoring your character, do you agree with the kind of personality type? Let's discuss our findings. HINT: You can use this sort of personality quiz, if you'd like, for any of your own characters. Also, hint, hint: you should be familiar with these characters by the end of your reading of the Sword in the Stone, as there will be a quiz on the book next week.

This morning, please watch the following video: Intro to Psychology As we watch, please take notes on key points in the video. Then let's get to it.

What is psychology?

The science and/or philosophy that attempts to understand human behavior and development. 

Psychology studies environment, culture, how we think, learn, and remember; how we communicate, and how we differ from one another in personality and abilities. It often uses experimental and observational science to measure and observe behavior. It is not simply the study of mental illness, but a scientific approach to understand the human mind.

Like philosophy, there are various branches of psychology where each type attempts to address questions or problems in a specific way. The major branches of psychology include:
1. Abnormal psychology: examines abnormal behavior and mental disorders. Counselors and clinical psychologists often study this branch of psychology.
2. Behavioral psychology (Behavioralism): popular in the early 20th century, this branch studies behavior acquired through conditioning. It is still used in therapy, business, and educational institutions.
3. Biopsychology (physiological): focuses on the brain and its function (or non-function). Neuroscientists, pharmacists, etc. study this branch.
4. Cognitive psychology: focuses on internal states of the mind, such as motivation, learning, decision-making, attention span, and IQ.
5. Comparative psychology: deals with animal behavior, animal psychology, and how it relates to us.
6. Cross-cultural psychology: deals with how various cultural factors influence behavior.
7. Developmental psychology: deals with how humans develop from childhood to adulthood.
8. Educational psychology: deals with how humans learn and all aspects of education.
9. Experimental psychology: uses scientific methods to research the brain, behavior, and development.
10. Forensic psychology: deals with psychology as it relates to law.
11. Health (Medical) psychology: deals with biology, and how psychology affects health.
12. Personality psychology (psychology of difference): deals with personality and how patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behavior help to make a person unique.
13. Social psychology: deals with social behavior: communication, social influences, etc. as it influences behavior.
In this unit we are going to focus on behaviorism, psychotherapy, cognitive psychology, social, developmental, and personality psychology specifically. This will be done to understand human "character" so that, as writers, our characters can be more fully developed. Some theories may enhance or inspire us to write outlandish plots or dramatic situations.

Let's start by getting some background with some important but out-of-date psychological theories:

  • Galen (129-201c.e., Roman)
  • Rene Descartes (1596-1650, French)
  • Johann Friedrich Herbart (1776-1841, German)
  • Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855, Danish)
  • Francis Galton (1822-1911, English)
  • Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920, German)
  • Hermann Ebbinghaus (1850-1909, German)

HOMEWORK: None. Keep reading/writing.

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