lecture 1 Flashcards
Describe the concept of learning in psychology.
Learning is the adaptive process in which an organism’s tendency to perform a particular behavior is changed by experience, resulting in changes in behavior and the organism itself.
Define the term ‘behavior’ in the context of psychology.
Behavior refers to any observable and measurable action or reaction of an organism to its environment, including activities such as making a cup of coffee, studying, brainwave activity, and more.
Describe the fundamental assumptions of science in the context of behaviorism.
The fundamental assumptions of science in behaviorism include determinism (the world is lawful and ordered), empiricism (objective and independent of prejudice), and parsimony (preferring the simplest theory when competing theories exist).
Define mindfulness.
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and engaged in the current moment, acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations without judgment.
How did the Behaviourist Revolution impact the field of psychology?
The Behaviourist Revolution led to a shift in psychology towards a more scientific and objective approach, focusing on observable behavior and rejecting introspection and mentalism.
Describe the process of classical and operant conditioning in behaviorism.
Classical conditioning involves associating a neutral stimulus with an involuntary response, while operant conditioning focuses on the association between a behavior and its consequences, leading to reinforcement or punishment.
What are some areas of special interest for a behavioral psychologist?
A behavioral psychologist may have special interests in intellectual disability, developmental disorders, neurodiversity, autism, and child and adolescent mental health, and may work with individuals across various age groups and provide training workshops.
How did James propose instincts in functionalism?
James proposed that all instincts have a mentalist quality, meaning they have purpose and direction. Bernard (1924) analyzed human behavior and identified thousands of conflicting instincts, such as the ability to estimate the age of a passerby instinctively.
Is all learning intentional?
Not all learning is intentional. It is possible to learn something without knowing it or without wanting to learn it.
What factors enhance and promote the process of learning?
Factors that enhance and promote the process of learning may include innate ability, the ability to adopt successful learning strategies, motivation, and environmental influences.
According to Lachmann (1997), what is the problem with the definition of learning as ‘a change in behavior that is due to experience’?
Lachmann suggests that learning is a process that underlies behavior change, and behavior change is a product of learning. He argues that learning is an internal change or mental process, and behavior alone may not be a sufficient marker of learning.
What were Wilhelm Wundt’s three aims in structuralism?
Wilhelm Wundt’s three aims in structuralism were to analyze the content of the conscious experience, determine how the elements of the conscious experience were connected, and devise a law to explain such connections.
Define the technical concept of instinct according to functionalism.
The technical definition of instinct according to functionalism is ‘an innate, typically fixed pattern of behavior in animals in response to certain stimuli.’
How did functionalism differ from structuralism in terms of instincts?
Functionalism emphasized that humans have a greater range and number of instincts, including social instincts, while structuralism focused on a limited set of elements to describe the conscious experience.
Who was associated with the development of functionalism in psychology?
John Dewey was associated with the development of functionalism in psychology.
