1.1: Introducing Psychology

Question 1

Wilhelm Wundt

Answer 1

Combined physiology and philosophy to create psychology and established the first psychology lab in Germany (1879).

He believed in introspection and structuralism.

Question 2

Structuralism

Answer 2

Structure is more important than function.

Structuralists believed that the mind must be broken into elements to understand the brain and its functions.

For structuralism to work, the subject would have to be very intelligent and verbal in order to describe their sensations, images, and feelings in certain moments.

Question 3

Introspection

Answer 3

Looking inward; people try to understand the thoughts or emotions they are experiencing at the time.

Proved unreliable since the results varied from person to person.

Question 4

Functionalism

Answer 4

Came after structuralism and was created to understand how the conscious mind is related to behavior.

Functionalists, such as William James, wanted to know how the mind affected what people did.

Question 5

Early Behaviorism

Answer 5

The study of observable events.

This theory shifted psychology from a study of the unconscious and conscious mind to a more science-based study based on observable events.

Question 6

John Watson

Answer 6

A behavioral psychologist who studied observable behaviors and led the Little Albert experiment, where he trained an 11-month-old boy to fear a white rat.

Believed that observable events are the only events that can be proven true, unlike studying the conscious, where results are not verifiable.

Question 7

Little Albert Experiment

Answer 7

The boy was not initially afraid of the rat, but when the white rat was paired with a loud sound, the boy would show signs of distress. Eventually, the boy began to cry when just seeing the white rat without the sound.

Question 8

Gestalt

Answer 8

The whole is different than the sum of its parts.

Gestalt psychology looks at the mind and behavior as a whole.

It suggests that human minds do not focus on small components. Instead, humans see the greater whole.

Question 9

Psychological Approaches

Answer 9

Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Evolutionary, Biological, Cognitive, Biopsychosocial, & Sociocultural.

Question 10

Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic Approach

Answer 10

Focuses on the study of the unconscious mind.

It states that behavior is determined by past experiences.

Sigmund Freud is the key individual that used this approach, and he built his theories based on it.

Question 11

Humanistic Approach

Answer 11

Believes that humans have free will and the ability to grow.

All individuals are striving to reach self-actualization and their greatest potential with this approach.

Question 12

Evolutionary Approach

Answer 12

Uses evolutionary biology to explain human behavior.

Also, it looks at how natural selection due to variable traits promotes the survival of genes.

An evolutionary psychologist may study how anger could be a gene inherited from our ancestors.

Question 13

Biological Approach

Answer 13

States that behavior is based on physical processes, such as those relating to the brain, hormones, and other chemicals.

Question 14

Cognitive Approach

Answer 14

States that thought processes impact the way people behave.

A cognitive psychologist may study how an emotion, such as fear, affects one’s thinking.

Question 15

Biopsychosocial Approach

Answer 15

Acknowledges the person as a whole and tries to look at all of the patient’s circumstances.

It looks at biological, psychological, and social factors to understand a person’s behavior.

Question 16

Sociocultural Approach

Answer 16

Studies how thinking and behavior vary across cultures and situations.

A sociocultural psychologist may study how expressions of sadness vary across cultures.

Question 17

Subfields of Psychology

Answer 17

Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Educational Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Personality Psychology, Psychometric Psychology, Social Psychology, & Positive Psychology.

Question 18

Biological Psychology

Answer 18

States that physical processes shape behavior.

For example, a biological psychologist might say that anger is due to a certain hormonal balance in the brain.

Question 19

Clinical Psychology

Answer 19

A section of psychology focused on assessing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

Question 20

Cognitive Psychology

Answer 20

Studies the mental processes associated with thinking, knowing, and communicating.

Question 21

Counseling Psychology

Answer 21

Focuses on personal issues that are not classified as mental disorders.

These types of therapists help people cope with challenges and crises in life.

For example, they can help a student with social or academic struggles. They could even help an individual with marital issues.

Question 22

Developmental Psychology

Answer 22

Studies social, physical, and cognitive changes throughout the lifespan.

Question 23

Educational Psychology

Answer 23

The study of how psychological processes can impact and improve learning and teaching.

Question 24

Experimental Psychology

Answer 24

Uses the experimental method to examine relationships between behavior and the mind.

Question 25

Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Answer 25

Studies the relationships between work and people in order to help companies increase productivity, boost morale, and select and train employees.

Question 26

Personality Psychology

Answer 26

The study of how personality affects the way people think and behave.

Question 27

Psychometric Psychology

Answer 27

Focuses on psychological measurement and is concerned with the design of psychological examinations.

Question 28

Social Psychology

Answer 28

Studies how humans are influenced by one another and how we relate and think about each other.

Question 29

Positive Psychology

Answer 29

Focuses on making human existence more fulfilling, rather than focusing on the treatment of mental illness.

It promotes strengths and virtues to improve the lives of people and communities.