Chapter 1 - The Science of Psychology

Question 1

Behavior

Answer 1

Outward or overt actions and reactions

Question 2

Mental processes

Answer 2

Internal, covert activity of our minds

Question 3

Wundt

Answer 3

Believed consciousness could be broken down into thoughts, experiences, emotions, and other basic elements
Developed objective introspection

Question 4

Objective Introspection

Answer 4

The process of objectively examining and measuring one’s own thoughts and mental activities

Question 5

Titchener

Answer 5

Structuralism (focused structure of the mind; experiences could be broken down into emotions and sensations

Question 6

James

Answer 6

Functionalism (how the mind allows people to adapt, live, work, and play

Question 7

Cognitive psychology

Answer 7

Field focusing not only on perception but also on learning, memory, thought processes, and problem solving

Question 8

Psychoanalysis

Answer 8

Theory and therapy based on the work of Sigmund Freud
Proposed the concept of unconsciousness (unaware) mind into which we push - or repress - our threatening urges and desires
Believed repressed urges created nervous disorders

Question 9

Gestalt Psychology

Answer 9

Founded by Max Werthweimer - did not believe psychological events could be broken down into smaller elements; could only be understood as a whole, entire event
Has influenced the field of cognitive psychology and a form of psychological therapy, Gestalt therapy

Question 10

Behaviourism

Answer 10

Associated with the work of John B. Watson - wanted to bring focus back on scientific inquiry and believed the only way to do so was to focus on observable behaviour and ignore “consciousness” issue; early work examined phobias

Question 11

7 Modern Perspectives

Answer 11

1. Psychodynamic - the development of an individual
2. Behavioural - introduces concept of reinforcement
3. Humanistic - “Third force” in psychology; reaction to both psychoanalytic theory and behaviourism
4. Cognitive - study of physical changes in the brain and nervous system during thinking
5. Sociocultural - study of groups, social roles, social actions and relationships
6. Biopsychological - attributes human and animal behaviour to biological events occurring in the body (hormones, genetic influence, and activity of the nervous system)
7. Evolutionary - the biological bases of universal mental characteristics that all humans share

Question 12

Biopsychological Perspective

Answer 12

Examining how thinking and behaviour changes over time as the brain changes

Question 13

Psychologist

Answer 13

Professional with an academic degree and specialized training in one or more areas of psychology

Question 14

Psychiatrist ( one of the hardest and most difficult professions )

Answer 14

Physician who has specialized in the diagnosis and treatment

Question 15

Psychiatric social worker

Answer 15

Social working with some training in therapy methods who focuses on environmental conditions that can have an impact on mental disorders, such as poverty, overcrowding, stress, and drug abuse

Question 16

Thinking critically about critical thinking

Answer 16

Making reasoned judgements about claims
Requires an open mind

Question 17

Law of Parsimony

Answer 17

The simplest explanation is always the best

Question 18

The Scientific Approach

Answer 18

System of gathering data so that bias and error in measurement are reduced

Question 19

Psychology’s goals

Answer 19

Description - What is happening?
Explanation - Why is it happening?
Prediction - When will it happen again?
Control - How can it be changed?

Question 20

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 20

Watching animals or humans behave in their normal environment

Question 21

Laboratory Observation

Answer 21

Watching animals or humans in a laboratory setting

Question 22

Case Studies

Answer 22

Study of one individual in great detail
You learn how things work when studying when things go wrong