History and theory

Question 1

What is science based on?

Answer 1

Observation of facts

Question 2

What is the problem of observation?

Answer 2

• theoretical framework and approach used in experiment
• problem of induction -> observations are limited and general assumptions are made
• theory- laden -> based on prior research

Question 3

What does the discovery of Uranus demonstrate?

Answer 3

• theory placed before observation
• Newtonian laws predict orbit. Observation didn’t fit. Theory not rejected

Question 4

What does the discovery of Neptune for objectivity?

Answer 4

• Theory needed to verify the observation
• Neptune not seen as own planet until observation

Question 5

What is the myth of the given?

Answer 5

Mental states not directly knowable; based on prior concepts

Question 6

What is needed to create a formal concept?

Answer 6

• meaning to understand concepts
• defined based on theoretical assumptions

Question 7

What is needed for measures to be formed?

Answer 7

• measures needed to be constructed and selected

Question 8

What is needed for observable data?

Answer 8

• must be analysed, collected and intepretated

Question 9

What did early experiments do to try and be objective?

Answer 9

• Managed subjectivity -> Likert scales, limiting responses
• experimenter: using mechanical devices, standard procedures
• subject: limit responses-> stats -> ^ objectivity

Question 10

What did behaviourists do to be more objective?

Answer 10

• direct observations removing subjectivity and observing behaviour clinically

Question 11

State a critisim of the behaviourists observations

Answer 11

• Level of subjectivity: decisions of what to study and when to study

Question 12

Define operationalism

Answer 12

define concept of interest by operation of measure

Question 13

What are the characterisitcs of operationlism?

Answer 13

• objective definition of concept
• concept defined by measurement
• different operations define different concepts

Question 14

Define convergence

Answer 14

using different measurements to measure the same thing
triangulate

Question 15

What are the characterisitcs of convergence?

Answer 15

• overcome limits of specific methods
• use multiple operations and treats concepts as independent of them

Question 16

State the criticism of convergence

Answer 16

treating concepts as different = assuming independent/event when they could go hand in hand

Question 17

What is a benefit of replication?

Answer 17

• Overcomes limits of specific findings

Question 18

What is the replication crisis?

Answer 18

publications robustness of various findings and methods questioned

Question 19

What is the crisis in social psychology?

Answer 19

methodological: problems w experiments
relevance: validity and utility
theoretical basis: social behaviour not fixed
-no claims made about humans

Question 20

What aspects of social nature add subjectivity to psychological experiments?

Answer 20

• demand characterisits; active particpants, not passive
• experimenter’s effect influence study

Question 21

How do psychologists study mind?

Answer 21

Language -> descriptions -> formal concepts -> measurers -> data

Question 22

What are descriptions used for in psychology?

Answer 22

draw mental map of mental terriorty
- represents object as thing & makes certain features relevant

Question 23

What are descriptions?

Answer 23

• defines object of study and what data represents
• descriptions impact what’s measured

Question 24

What are Metaphors used for in psychological descriptions?

Answer 24

• Metaphors feed into formal concepts and used as shared w others
• change overtime and have practical implications
• emotions used to be physical now describe feelings

Question 25

Metaphors are...

Answer 25

selected from available options -> historical and cultural influence

Question 26

What do metaphors encourage psychological descriptions to do?

Answer 26

- prompt further thinking alone similar lines - metaphors reflect theoretical assumptions about phenomena

Question 32

What is memory?

Answer 32

- Storage/ inscription of information

Question 32

What is an example of descriptions reflecting theoretical assumptions?

Answer 32

- Darwin: Biological and Physiological - Watson: Behaviourism - Cognitiive Revolution: emotion cognition

Question 32

What do descriptions reflect?

Answer 32

- theoretical assumptions - change overtime as object of study changes -

Question 32

What is an example of conflating descriptions?

Answer 32

Learning vs Memory: - learning previously meant: - gaining new skill - first stage memorisation - gaining new knowledge NOT formal concept if conscious process Newer meaning: - rats in mazes - children in schools - employees at work

Question 32

What does behaviourism say about learning?

Answer 32

- Learning = adaptive behaviour - Learning is a mental process not to be work produced different to behaviour memory - knowledge and memory is behavioural not mental

Question 32

What is a problem that occurs w metaphors and

Answer 32

- agreed descriptions, assumptions and

Question 32

What did Woodworth argue psychology consists of?

Answer 32

- investigation of learning, it's fundamental but no longer conscious process

Question 33

What did Ebbinghaus believe memory to be?

Answer 33

- memorising as performance - quantity of information

Question 34

What did Bartlett believe memory to be?

Answer 34

- process not performance - how we remember/distort meaningful information - not learning or capacity to memorise natural info

Question 35

What is the computer metaphor of memory?

Answer 35

- memory: encoding, storage, retrieval - distinction between STM and LTM - Memory is extended mind a discursive phenomenon - written on paper

Question 36

What is psychology's aim?

Answer 36

- provide reliable and valid knowledge about mind and behaviour - about subjects via scientific methods

Question 37

What is the boundary-work in psychology?

Answer 37

- debunking pseudo-science - constructing self around category of scientific vs non-scientific

Question 38

What is psychology's aim as a career?

Answer 38

- making a living, profit or difference & changing minds - academic: teach, get published and funded

Question 39

What is psychology's aim as applied knowledge?

Answer 39

- provide knowledge useful to others - satisfy demands of education, business and government

Question 40

Define applied psychology

Answer 40

scientific psychology and real work interacting

Question 41

How did Hall connect psychology and education?

Answer 41

- Mass education: compulsory, standard syllabi with exams. the first place research should help with - bureaucratic desire: improve results

Question 42

Why do businesses use psychology?

Answer 42

- mass production: business more efficient and profit due to modern consumerism

Question 43

In what ways do businesses use psychology?

Answer 43

- Advertising: based on psychological suggestions, testing of adverts or creating wants and solutions in customers - Psychological cooperation: focus groups - Women and mouthwash used to advance business

Question 44

How has psychology been involved with the government?

Answer 44

During WW1 psychology showed the usefulness of their knowledge Propaganda: swaying public opinion War efforts: mental tests personnel selection and treatments education

Question 45

What is psychology's aim in reflecting wider society?

Answer 45

Base assumptions about what needs changing/ explanation

Question 46

Explain how psychology influenced society in 1900s

Answer 46

- women less rational and hysteria prone: psychological science state men more variable in their mental traits why men last longer

Question 47

What did Calkins challange?

Answer 47

Hysteria hypothesis and now greater focus on social factors

Question 48

Explain how psychology influenced how race was viewed in society

Answer 48

Eugenics -> Army test WW1: lower races were less evolved with lower intellect

Question 49

How was psychological research challenged in 1920?

Answer 49

racism studied as social problem -> more focus on social problems awareness of problematic language and social culture -> investigate how this can be challenged