Foundations of Psychology

Question 1

Scientific skepticism

Answer 1

Approach of evaluating all claims with an open mind, but insisting on persuasive evidence before accepting them

Question 2

Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920)

Answer 2

Considered founder of experimental psychology, “experimental introspection”. Structuralist approach. Established first University based psychology lab in 1879 (Uni of Leipzig)

Question 3

Extraordinary claims

Answer 3

The more a claim contradicts what we already know, the more persuasive the evidence for this claim must be before we should accept it

Question 4

Testability

Answer 4

Scientists try to test the novel predictions of their (and rival) theories in order to find out if the theory really describes the world

Question 5

Occam’s Razor

Answer 5

If two hypotheses explain a phenomenon equally well, we should generally select the simpler one

Question 6

Replicability

Answer 6

A finding must be capable of being duplicated by independent researchers following the same ‘recipe.’

Question 7

Ruling out rival hypotheses

Answer 7

Findings consistent with several hypotheses require additional research to eliminate these hypotheses

Question 8

Empiricism

Answer 8

The theory that all knowledge is based on experience derived from the senses.
(John Locke, human mind as a tabula rasa / Hume )

Question 9

Rationalism

Answer 9

View that regards reason as the chief source and test of knowledge or any view appealing to reason as a source of knowledge or justification

Question 10

Correlation vs causation

Answer 10

The fact that two things are associated with each other doesn’t mean that one causes the other

Question 11

Phrenology

Answer 11

Theory contending indentations and bumps on the outer skull reflect contours of the brain. Assumed brain could be divided into smaller areas of function ‘localisation of function’ (Franz Joseph Gall)

Question 12

Paul Broca & Broca’s area

Answer 12

Broca found injuries to areas in left cortical hemisphere lead to loss of speech production

Question 13

Wernicke’s area

Answer 13

Damage to the posterior part of left hemisphere caused problems with language comprehension.

Question 14

Fechner’s law

Answer 14

S = k log R 
Law from psychophysics quantifying the perception of change in a given stimulus. The law states that the change in a stimulus that will be just noticeable is a constant ratio of the original stimulus.
S = psychological sensation
k = constant
R = physical stimulus of intensity

Question 15

Functionalism

Answer 15

Psychological school of thought that was a direct outgrowth of Darwinian thinking. Focuses attention on the utility and purpose of behaviour that has been modified over years of human existence.
(William James 1842-1910)

Question 16

Localisation of function

Answer 16

The idea that different parts of the brain are responsible for specific behaviours, or that certain functions are localised to certain areas in the brain.
(Broca & Wernicke)

Question 17

Structuralism

Answer 17

School of psychology seeks to analyse the mind in terms of the simplest definable components and then to find how these components fit together to form more complex experiences as well as how they correlate to physical events. To do this, psychologists employ introspection.
(Wundt and Titchener)

Question 18

William James (1842-1910)

Answer 18

Considered founder of functionalism. Behaviour can be understood in terms of its purpose without analysing mechanisms. Theoretical, rather than experimental approach. ‘Principles of psychology’ 1890. Influenced by Darwinism

Question 19

Behaviourism

Answer 19

Systematic investigation of how sensory information influences behaviour and how consequences of behaviour influence future behaviour
(Skinner,

Question 20

Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936)

Answer 20

Studied function of conditioned reflexes & developed theory of classic conditioning

Question 21

Edward Thorndike (1874-1949)

Answer 21

Studied relationship between stimulus and response. Puzzle box experiments with cats. Developed law of effect

Question 22

John Watson (1878-1958)

Answer 22

Relationship between stimulus and response. ‘The behaviourists manifesto’ argued against introspection, emphasised objectivity, prediction and control. The environment is everything. Little Albert experiment

Question 23

BF Skinner (1904-1990)

Answer 23

‘Radical behaviourism’ - all behaviour is determined by its consequences. Discovered the concept of the variable ratio schedule. ‘Beyond freedom and dignity’ proposed all human behaviour is a consequence of reward/reinforcement contingencies and ‘free will’ is largely non existent.