Basic Definitions of Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology

1. Basic Definitions of Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology

2. Anthropology

4. Anthropology: The basic study of all human life and culture. Anthropologists examine such aspects of culture as traditions, inventions, and conventions. Some of the questions anthropologists ask include: • When, where, and how did humans evolve? • How do people adapt? • How have societies developed and changed?

5. Psychology

6. The Zone • Athletic Performance as Dictated by State of Mind • Scenario #1: Before taking the field for the season opener, Jeff is relaxed and focused. Jeff sits in his locker room laughing and joking with his teammates while all the while understanding what he needs to do when he takes the field. • Jeff’s opening game could only be described as a success. Jeff scored two goals and set up another. Jeff’s touch on the ball was as good as it has ever been. Jeff leaves the stadium proud of his accomplishment. • Scenario #2: Before taking the field for the championship game Jeff is anxious and excited. Jeff feels as though he is ready to plow over the competition. Jeff’s teammates scream and yell as they leave the locker room en route to the field. • Jeff’s team looses the final game by a score of 3-1. Jeff was responsible for the first goal against as he gave the ball away while trying to carry it out of his own end just 2 minutes into the first half. Jeff leaves the stadium upset with his performance. • The Zone of Optimal Functioning: The idea behind the theory of the zone of optimal functioning revolves around analyzing an athlete’s state of mind before a competition. An athlete is required to retrospectively look at their anxiety level pre-competition in order to understand their optimal prestart anxiety level. When an athlete is successful in a game the athlete should try to mimic his prestart state of mind in future competition. • _____*_____________________________________________________________________ • 1 2 3 4 5 • -optimal zone = 1.7

7. Psychology: The scientific study of behaviour and the mind. • -3 Elements of Psychology Include: • Scientific Method (observation, experimentation, etc.) • Study of Behaviour (increase of heart rate, mob mentality, etc.) • Study of the Mind (both conscious and unconscious states)

8. Sociology

9. Sociology: The study of human social relations or group life. Sociology examines the way that social structures and institutions influence society. • Examples of what sociologists examine include: • constructs such as class and power structures • social problems such as crime and abuse. • Please read supplied article: • Questions to ponder • What methods does the author of the article use in arguing his case? • From this article what is the author’s response to the argument that blame should be placed upon the pregnant mother?

10. Homework>>Due Tomorrow! • Please select one of the names listed below and conduct research on their professional work and accomplishments. Once you have completed your reseach: find, create, modify, etc. an object that best represents one aspect of your particular person and bring it to class tomorrow. Along with your object, you must prepare a brief 30 second oral presentation explaining why it is representative of the person you have selected. Be prepared to present your object and its reasoning at the beginning of class tomorrow. Betty Friedman Margaret Mead Carl Jung Bronislaw Malinowski Karl Marx Ivan Pavlov Monica Boyd George H Mead John B Watson Charles Levi-Strauss Sigmund Freud Marvin Harris