General Psychology - Chapter 1/Introduction Flashcards
(271 cards)
Research
Critical Thinking, Scientific Attitude, Evaluating Evidence
Scope of Psychology
Academic and Professional Psychologists
Contemporary Perspectives
Neuropsychology, Evolutionary, Behavioral, Cognitive, Sociocultural, Psychodynamic
Define Psychology
Scientific study of human behavior and the underlying biological and mental processes of behavior as well as the applications of such research and theory to the world around us.
Psychology Definition
1) Study of human behavior 2) Study of underlying biological & mental processes of behavior 3) applications of research & theory
Science Goal of Psychology
Use the scientific method to observe behavior, hypothesize on its causes and correlates, test the hypotheses, formulate and publish the results so that others may scrutinize the work and use it in the real world.
Psychologists work in three main fields
Experimental, Teaching and Applied
Where do Experimental psychologists conduct research?
Schools, Colleges and Universities
Where do Applied Psychologists usually work?
They put research to use in the real world by treating people with mental disorders, or applying learning and motivation principles to organizational problems in business and industry and others conduct tests and develop special programs for children in schools who have emotional problems or exceptional abilities
When did the 6 Major Theoretical Perspectives emerge?
20th Century
What are the 6 Major Theoretical Perspectives also called?
Schools of thought on human behavior
What are the 6 Major Theoretical Perspectives of Psychology?
The 6 schools of thought are: 1)Neuropsychology (biological) 2) Evolutionary 3) Behavioral 4) Cognitive 5) Sociocultural 6) Psychodynamic
Name the 3 types of research methods used to study human behavior.
1) Descriptive 2) Correlational 3) Experimental
What does Descriptive Research allow us to observe?
Behavior in a systematic manner
What do Correlation Research studies determine?
The strength of the relationship between two or more variables
Experimental Research allows us to do what?
Control the situation that is being studied
What is the benefit of controlling the situation being studied in Experimental Research?
It allows the researcher to imply a cause and effect relationship
What does APA stand for?
American Psychological Association
What is the code of ethics for the APA?
It requires researchers to give sufficient information about the experiment to participants in order to respect the rights of its voluntary participants through informed consent.
Define Psychology
The scientific study of human behavior, the underlying biological and mental processes, and applications of such research and theory to the world around us.
Identify the Interests of Psychologists concerning behavior
1) How do brain processes influence consciousness and behavior? 2) What are the causes of aggression and prejudice? 3) Why do we sleep and what is the function of dreaming? 4) Are there effective methods for treating addictions? 5) What are causes of mental disorders, and how can behavior disorders be treated and/or prevented?
Describe the main forms of psychological research
Basic and applied
Recognize the basic goals of psychological research
1) Describe behavior 2) Understand its causes 3) Predict how people will behave 4) Influence behavior
Identify the characteristics of basic research and applied research
Basic research is the quest for knowledge; Applied research is a study designed to solve specific questions or problems