Prologue Flashcards
Old definition of psychology?
The science of mental life
Current definiton of psychology?
The scientific study of human behaviour, its mental processes and brain functions
How is psychology a science?
- Conduct research and experiments
- Work in labs and clinics
- Use math and statistics to report results
- Assess, study and treat those with mental health issues
Difference between clinical psychology and psychiatry?
- A clinical psychologist (Ph.D.) studies, assesses, and treats people with psychotherapy
- Psychiatrists are medical professionals (M.D.) who prescribe treatments like drugs and psychotherapy to treat psychologically diseased patients
Where do the roots of psychology come from?
Philosophy (Aristotle)
Where was the first psychological study?
Ancient Egypt
Who was the first to study psychological science?
Wilhlem Wundt was the first to study the “atoms of the mind” by conducting 1st experiments on reaction times, in Germany, in 1879
Who wrote the first psychology textbook and is known as the father of Psychology?
American philosopher William James
Who was the APA’s first female president?
Mary Calkins, William James’ student
What is APA?
The American Psychological Association is the largest organization of psychology with 160,000 members worldwide
Psychotherapy
Who is responsible for the birth of psychoanalysis and the treatment of abnormal behaviour?
Sigmund Freud, an Austrian physician
Behaviourists
Who studied observable behaviour?
John Watson (classical conditioning) and later B.F Skinner (operant conditioning)
Humanism
Who emphasized current environmental influences on our growth potential?
Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers
What are psychology’s current perspectives?
- Neuroscience
- Evolutionary
- Behavior genetics
- Cognitive
- Social-cultural
What are the research subfields of psychology?
- Biological: explore the links between brain and body
- Developmental: study changing abilities from womb to tomb
- Personality: investigates our persistent traits
- Social: how we view and affect each other