RESEARCH BACK UP

1.0 INTRODUCTION In unit 3, we discussed some basic concepts in psychology. The unit also served to introduce us to other units in this course. You can now explain tire concepts of learning, maturation, growth and development. You are about to study another interesting and practical unit: specialties in psychology. We will now consider the areas in which psychology can be applied. Let us look at what other contents you should learn in this unit as specified in the objective below: 2.0 OBJECTIVES By the end of this unit, you should be able to: describe some of the main psychological influences on human behaviour. 3.0 MAIN CONTENT 3.1 Development Psychology Developmental psychology is a broad field of interest in which the physical, emotional and intellectual characteristics and development of youngsters from pre-natal stage onwards are studied. In addition to this are changes in many other forms of activity, for example, the acquisition of language or the growth of a s...

1.0 INTRODUCTION By now, you should have read through the course guide, which was sent to you as part of your institutional package furthering course. If you have not, please ensure that you read the course guide before reading your study materials as it provides a comprehensive outline of the materials you will cover on a unit-to-unit basis, starting with the topic you are about to study: definitions of psychology. The unit guides you through several definitions of psychology across the ages. Let us look at what you should learn in this unit, as specified in the unit objectives below. 2.0 OBJECTIVES By the end of this unit, you should be able to: describe the concept of psychology; and  define the concept of psychology in a specific way.  3.0 MAIN CONTENT 3.1 Descriptions There are various reasons for popular misconceptions e.g (frequent appearances in the mass media) of statements about what psychologists tell us. These are often one- sided views exaggerating some opinions h...

1.0 INTRODUCTION In the last unit, we discussed accuracy of judgments. In addition, the unit served to introduce us to other units in this course. You can now describe person perception and explain cues used to make judgments. It is now time for us to discuss another interesting unit: the problem of deception. We will how consider non-verbal behaviour. Let us look at what other content you should learn in this unit as specified in the objectives below. 2.0 OBJECTIVES At the end of this unit, you should be able to: identify channels of communication;  eExplain deceptive non-verbal cues; and  list factors influencing deception attempts.  3.0 MAIN CONTENT 3.1 Channels of Non-Verbal Communication It is frequently assumed that certain aspects of non-verbal behaviour are not under voluntary control. Thus a look, or glance, or tone of voice may be involuntary or unintentional. However, a number or provisos need to be kept in mind. First not all channels of non-verbal communica...

1.0 INTRODUCTION In the last unit we discussed personality traits inferences about what the personis like. Also, the unit served to introduce us to other units in the course. You can now describe competence and sociability. You can now move from observable information to personality traits. We are now ready to discuss another interesting and practical unit: understanding and attributing causes to others’ behaviour. We will now consider behaviour. Let us take a look at what other content you will learn in this unit as specified in the objectives below. 2.0 OBJECTIVES By the end of this unit, you should be able to: identify the goals we have for interacting with people;  explain affective cues; and  describe the causes of behaviour.  3.0 MAIN CONTENT 3.1 Goals So far, we have discussed person perception as if it were a relatively rational process of taking in information about others and organizing it according to particular principles. Our goals and feelings ab...

1.0 INTRODUCTION In unit 2, we discussed the study of behaviour. The unit also served to introduce us to other units in this course. You can now explain approaches to the study of behaviour, List the objectives of psychology, and describe some of the methods used by psychologists in their research. You are about to study another interesting and insightful unit: some basic concepts in psychology. We will now consider what some concepts mean within the context of psychology. Let us look at other contents that you will learn in this unit as specified in the objectives below. 2.0 OBJECTIVES By the end of this unit, you should be able to: explain the concept of learning;  describe the relationship between maturation and learning;  define the concept of growth and development; and  list the principles of growth and development.  3.0 MAIN CONTENT 3.1 Concept of Learning To the layman ‘learning’ has always been a rather simple matter, he sees it frequently and assu...

1.0 INTRODUCTION In the last unit, we discussed impression formation. The unit also served to introduce us to other units in this course. You can now state the general principles of impression formation. You can also describe the type of information that you may use. We are now ready to discuss another interesting unit: understanding some important factors in person perception and impression formation. We will now consider person perception: impression formation. Let us take a look at what other content you should learn in this unit as specified in the objectives below. 2.0 OBJECTIVES By the end of this unit, you should be able to: describe person perception;  identify important factors in person perception; and  explain the most important aspects of impression.  3.0 MAIN CONTENT 3.1 Person Perception While perception implies the use of direct sensory information, person perception is concerned with the process by which impressions, opinions, and feelings about...

1.0 INTRODUCTION In the last unit, we discussed socialization. In addition, the unit served to introduce us to other units in this course. You can now define socialization, identify and discuss the agents of socialization, and specify the values of interpersonal relationships. It is now time for us to discuss a very relevant and useful unit: juvenile delinquency. Let us take a look at what other content you should learn in this unit as specified in the objectives below. 2.0 OBJECTIVES At the end of this unit, you should be able to: define the concept of juvenile delinquency; identify the places where delinquent personality operates; and describe how the situation of juvenile delinquency may be remedied. 3.0 MAIN CONTENT 3.1 Concept of Delinquency By legal definition, the juvenile delinquent is neither a neglected youngster nor a young criminal but one who occupies instead some twilight zone between the two. According to the law, if a young lawbreaker is legally defined as a juvenile de...

1.0 INTRODUCTION In the last unit, we discussed application of psychology to policing. The unit also served to introduce us to other units in this course. You can now identity groups of citizens with whom the police interact. In addition, you can explain the advantages and disadvantages of a psychologist serving as consultant. Time is now ripe for you to study another interesting and relevant unit: perception: a basic process. We will now consider what is meant by perception. Let us take a close look at what other content you should learn in this unit as specified in the objectives below: 2.0 OBJECTIVES By the end of this unit, you should be able to: define the concept of perception; and  identify the factors affecting perception  3.0 MAIN CONTENT 3.1 Concept of Perception Perception is a-psychological operation that is basic to the determination of terminal human behaviour. It is important for you to note that without any satisfactory perception of this precise nature of the ...

1.0 INTRODUCTION In unit 2, we discussed understanding some important factors in person perceptionand impression formation. Also, the unit served to introduce us to other units in this course. You can now describe person perception. You can also identify important factors in person perception and explain the most important aspects of impressions. We are now ready to discuss another interesting unit: personality traits inferences about what the person is like. We will now consider traits. Let us take a look at what other content you should learn in this unit as specified in the objectives below. 2.0 OBJECTIVES By the end of this unit, you should be able to: identify behaviour traits; and  explain categorization  3.0 MAIN CONTENT 3.1 From Behaviour to Traits We will move from observable information, such as appearance, behaviour, even gestures, to personality trait inferences about what the person is like. Note that referring to traits is a more economical and general way of des...