Chapter 1

Question 1

Psychology

Answer 1

is the scientific study of behavior, thought, and experience, and how they can be affected by mental, social, and environmental factors.

Question 2

Scientific method

Answer 2

is a way of learning about the world through collecting observation, developing theories to explain them, and using the theories to make predictions.

Question 3

Hypothesis

Answer 3

is a testable prediction about processes that can be observed and measured.

• in order to be testable, must be falsifiable

Question 4

Theories

Answer 4

an explanation for a broad range of observations that can also generate new hypotheses and integrates numerous findings into a coherent whole.

Question 5

Misperceptions of theories

Answer 5

1. are not the same as opinions
2. not all equal
3. not made valid through popularity

Question 6

biopsychosocial model

Answer 6

The study of how biological, psychological and social factors affect our behavior.

Question 7

Scientific literacy

Answer 7

the ability to understand, analyze and apply scientific information.

1. Gathering Knowledge
2. Scientific explanation: has the information given tested in scientific studies?
3. Critical Thinking: examine limitations of the the info and look for alternative explanations
4. Application: how does it apply outside of lab.

Question 8

How to develop critical thinking skills

Answer 8

1. Be curious
2. Examine biases and assumptions
3. accept ambiguity
4. Look for alternate explanations
5. examine the source of information
6. avoid over emotional thinking

Question 9

Principle of Parsimony

Answer 9

The simplest explanations are the ones we should accept.

Question 10

Pseudoscience

Answer 10

An idea that is claimed to be science based on anecdotal evidence and personal belief.

Question 11

Empericism

Answer 11

Philosophical tenet that says that knowledge comes from evidence and observation.

–> not speculation or common sense

Question 12

Determinism

Answer 12

The belief that all events are governed by lawful, cause and effect relationships.

Question 13

Zeitgeist

Answer 13

The general set of beliefs of a particular culture with a specific time in history.

Question 14

materialism

Answer 14

The belief that humans were made of only physical matter

Question 15

dualism

Answer 15

the belief that humans were made of both physical and other matter. (having a soul)

Question 16

Gustav Fechner

Answer 16

Psychophysics: study of the relationship between the physical world and the mental representation of that world.

used to see how we perceive changes in volume, weight and brightness

Question 17

Charles Darwin

Answer 17

Natural selection

In terms of behavior: used to see how certain behaviors we have now, were behaviors that allowed our ancestors to flourish.

Question 18

Clinical Psychology

Answer 18

using psychology to diagnose and medicate mental disorders

Question 19

localization (2 ways)

Answer 19

the idea that different parts of the brain were responsible for different traits.

Question 20

(1) Franz Gall and Johann Spurzheim

Answer 20

Phrenology: brain consisted of 27 organs, and that each part of the brain would control certain behaviors, It was measured by touching the person on his skull. The bigger the area, the more dominant the trait is.

Question 21

(2)

Answer 21

damage to brain from injuries lead to changes in behavior.

Question 22

psychosomatic medicine

Answer 22

placebo

Question 23

sigmund freud

Answer 23

Psychoanalysis: the study of how the unconscious effects our behavior.

Question 24

Sir francis galton

Answer 24

studied individual differences in people, w/ genetics.
Founded how to measure eminence: morality, ability and achievement. The more closer the relative the more closer the traits.
Eugenics
First to look at nature vs nurture.

Question 25

William wundt

Answer 25

responsible for establishing psychology as an independent scientific field. Introspection: have a trained volunteer explain each sensation experienced.

Question 26

Edward Titchener

Answer 26

Structuralism: used to analyze conscious experience by breaking it down to its basic elements and understanding how they work together.

Question 27

William James

Answer 27

Functionalism: study of the purpose and function of behavior and conscious experience

Question 28

John B. Watson

Answer 28

Behaviorism: studying behavior only based on observations and not mental influences. Believed everything was from classical conditioning

Question 29

B. E. Skinner

Answer 29

radical conditioning: learning from trial and error

Question 30

Carl Rogers

Answer 30

humanistic Psych: individual difference between people, each person has a conscious, freedom to act, has rational thought, different from animals.

Question 31

Herman Ebbinghaus and Frederick Bartlett

Answer 31

Forgetting and remembering

Question 32

Gestalt Psych

Answer 32

an approach that believes we should focus on the whole picture, not the elements. opposed of william wundt.

Question 33

Ulrich Neisser

Answer 33

cognitive psych: memory, thinking, and language.

Question 34

social psych

Answer 34

the study of how the people around us effect our behavior.