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General Psychology > Chapter 1: Intro to Psychology > Flashcards

Chapter 1: Intro to Psychology Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the definition of Psychology?

A

the scientific study of behavior and mental processes

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2
Q

What are the 4 basic goals of Psychology?

A

1- describe- examine behaviors
2- explain- organize and make sense
3- predict- predict behavior and outcomes
4- change behavior- control behavior

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3
Q

What discipline did the study of Psychology originate from?

A

developed from philosophy and physiology

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4
Q

Basic research

A

focuses on collecting data to support theories

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5
Q

Applied research

A

focuses on changing behaviors and outcomes

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6
Q

Who is considered to be the “father” of psychology?

A

Wilhelm Wundt

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7
Q

Nature in psychology

A

the inherited biological factors that shape behaviors, personality, and other characteristics

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8
Q

Nurture in psychology

A

the environmental factors that shape behaviors, personality, and other characteristics

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9
Q

Plato

A

believed truth and knowledge exist in the soul before birth (nature)

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10
Q

Aristotle

A

Plato’s student; believed that we know reality through our perceptions, and we learn through our sensory experiences (nurture)

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11
Q

Empirical method

A

a process that uses objective observation to measure and collect data

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12
Q

Introspection

A

the examination of one’s own conscious activities

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13
Q

What field of psychology was Sigmund Freud known for?

A

Psychodynamic Theory

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14
Q

What field of psychology was William James known for?

A

Functionalism

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15
Q

What field of psychology was John Watson known for?

A

Behaviorism

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16
Q

What field of psychology was Wilhelm Wundt known for?

A

Structuralism

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17
Q

What field of psychology was Abraham Maslow known for?

A

Humanistic Theory

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18
Q

Humanistic Psychology

A

study focused on positive human behaviors and human’s natural capacity for growth

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19
Q

Behaviorism

A

the study of observable behaviors

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20
Q

Functionalism

A

the study of how the mind allows people to live, work, play and adapt to their environment

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21
Q

Structuralism

A

the study of the components/structures of the mind through objective introspection

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22
Q

Psychoanalysis

A

the study of unconscious thoughts, feelings, and desires

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23
Q

Sociocultural Psychology

A

the study of how social and cultural environments influence behavior

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24
Q

Biological Psychology

A

the study of the brain and nervous system and its effect on behavior

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25
Evolutionary Psychology
the study of human behavior as it relates to adapting to the environment and natural selection
26
Cognitive Psychology
the study of memory, intelligence, decision making and problem solving
27
Biopsychosocial Perspective
studies behavior through the interaction of biological, psychological and sociocultural factors
28
B. F. Skinner
studied the relationship between behaviors and their consequences; focused on operant conditioning
29
Cognitive perspective
examining the mental processes that direct behavior
30
Structure
how the mind is structured
31
Function
thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how they help us adapt to the environment
32
What years of a human's life has the most impact?
0-5
33
The 5 basic steps of the scientific method
1- Develop a question 2- Develop a hypothesis 3- Design study and collect data 4- Analyze the data 5- Share the findings
34
Variables
measurable characteristics that can vary over time or across people
35
Population
all members of an identified group about which a researcher is interested
36
Sample
a subset of a population chosen for inclusion in an experiment
37
Random sample
a subset of the population chosen through a procedure that ensures all members of the population have an equal chance of being selected to participate in the study
38
Survey method
a type of descriptive research that uses questionnaires or interviews to gather data
39
Case study
a detailed examination of an individual or small group
40
Descriptive research
research methods that observe and explore behaviors, but whose findings cannot definitively state cause-and-effect relationships
41
Naturalistic Observation
a type of descriptive research that studies participants in their naturalistic environment through systematic observation
42
Correlational method
a type of research examining relationships among variables
43
Correlation coefficient
the statistical measure that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables
44
Positive correlation
both variables move in the same direction
45
Negative correlation
variables move in opposite directions
46
How are correlation coefficients inversely related?
the closer r is to +1.00 or -1.00, the stronger the relationship
47
Third variable
some unaccounted-for characteristic of the participants or their environment that explains the changes in the two other variables
48
Independent variable
variable manipulated by the researcher
49
Dependent variable
the characteristic or response that is measured
50
Extraneous variable
a characteristic of participants or the environment that could unexpectedly influence the outcome of a study
51
Confounding variable
a type of extraneous variable that changes in sync with the independent variable, making it difficult to discern which one is causing changes in the dependent variable
52
Placebo
an inert substance given to members of the control group; this fake treatment has no benefit but is administered as if it will
53
Experimental group
the participants in an experiment who are exposed to the treatment variable or manipulation by the researcher; represent the treatment group
54
Control group
the participants in an experiment who are not exposed to the treatment variable; this is the comparison group
55
Double-blind study
type of studies where neither the participants nor the researchers administering know who is receiving the treatment
56
What is a measure of central tendency?
the numbers that represent the middle of the data set
57
Mean
the arithmetic average of a data set
58
Median
the number that represents the position in a data set for which 50% of the values are above it, and 50% are below it
59
Mode
the most frequently occurring value in a data set
60
Bimodal distribution
a distribution with 2 modes, which are the two most frequently occurring values
61
Statistical Significance
the probability that the findings of a study were due to chance
62
Skewed data
non symmetrical frequency distribution
63
What number indicates a good p-value?
P<0.05
64
Inferential Statistics
explores the probability of events and tries to predict general trends
65
Descriptive statistics
researchers summarize the information they have gleaned from their studies
66
Sample size
a subset of a population chosen for inclusion in an experiment

General Psychology (6 decks)

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