Psychology

Question 1

What is the more modern definition of Psychology?

Answer 1

The scientific study of the mind and behavior

Question 2

Why do psychologists concentrate on people’s behavior?

Answer 2

Because by observing behaviors the psychologist may be able to determine what mental processes are occurring eg. Eating, the person may be experiencing hunger, sadness or boredom

Question 3

How is a psychologists different to a psychiatrist?

Answer 3

• They are trained differently, it takes 13 years to become a psychiatrist, 4 years to become a psychologist
• Psychiatrists are fully qualified medical specialists and can prescribe medication and perform medical procedures while psychologist can’t
• psychologists are permitted to conduct psychological tests whereas psychiatrists are not

Question 4

Sports psychology

Answer 4

Work with people such as athletes, coaches, managers, trainers, physiotherapists and people in the performing arts to enhance their performance through mental skills training eg. Setting goals, anxiety management.

Question 5

Clinical psychology

Answer 5

Specialize in the assessment treatment and diagnosis of mental disorders and work with people who have anorexia, depression, insomnia.

Question 6

Clinical neuropsychology

Answer 6

Specialize in conducting neurophysiological assessments and treating people with brain dysfunction eg. Dementia

Question 7

Forensic psychology

Answer 7

Study the psychological theory to understand legal system. May work as criminal profiler, and be employed working in a court perfuming psychological assessments or helping victims or witnesses of a crime,

Question 8

Educational psychology

Answer 8

Study how people learn and develop throughout their lives. Assist people with learning and development issues by providing assessment and coun long services eg. Bullying

Question 9

Organizational psychology

Answer 9

Study the complex relationships in workplaces to make the organization more productive and effective. Apply psychological methods in workplaces, advertising, market research and do things such as identify consumer reaction to products, choosing job applicants and improving organization.

Question 10

Community psychology

Answer 10

Study people within their social worlds and environment and use this to improve people in the communities wellbeing. Work with community members on factors that contribute to persons wellbeing in community by conducting community research and training staff.

Question 11

Health psychology

Answer 11

Study the psychological processes that are relevant to health and illness. Study why people stay healthy, why they get ill and they respond to lines and use this to help people recover or cope with a terminal illness.

Question 12

List the 7 steps of the scientific method

Answer 12

1. Identify the research topic of interest
2. Formulate the hypothesis
3. Select the research method and design the study
4. Collect the date
5. Analyze the data
6. Draw conclusions
7. Report the findings

Question 13

What is an independent variable? Give an example

Answer 13

The variable in the experiment that is selected then systematically manipulated or changed in some way in order to measure its effects on the dependent variable. Does sleep deprivation slow down reaction times. IP= Amount of sleep

Question 14

What is a dependent variable? Give an example

Answer 14

The variable in an experiment that is sued to observe and measure the eggs of the independent variable. DP= reaction times

Question 15

Population and Sample

Answer 15

A sample is Subgroup selected from a larger group of interest to the researcher. The population does not mean everybody in the world it refers to the group the researcher wants to study. Eg year 10 students in Victoria or year 12 students at beaconhills college.

Question 16

Research method: Experiment, Laboratory

Answer 16

Advantages:
The experiment is a closed experiment which can not have any outside variables
Easy to replicate
Disadvantages:
Difficult to recreate the outside variables which come into play in the field
The behavior is so controlled precisely the results may be inaccurate or bias

Question 17

Research method: experimental, field

Answer 17

Advantages :Behavior is more likely to mirror real life because of natural setting
Smaller chance that the researcher will have to create an environment with the correct conditions
Disadvantages: less control over outside variables which may produce inaccurate results
Difficult to replicate

Question 18

Research method: Naturalistic

Answer 18

Naturalistic: a study conducted in a natural setting without any any interference from observer
Advantages: There is no interference
Can generalize more easily, less artificial
Can study behavior where variables can’t be manipulated
Disadvantages: difficult to replicate
Observers bias can contribute
People or animals being observed could relapse they are being watched

Question 19

Research method: Survey

Answer 19

Advantages: Gather info quickly
Simple to fill out and almost anyone can do them
Info can be gathered for behaviour which are difficult to observe

Disadvantages:
Problems with clarity of questions
Participants may not answer truffy

Question 20

Research method: Case study

Answer 20

Advantages: Useful in initial stages or research. Can show reascrher what areas that need to explore
In depth study- more intricate data

Disadvantages: Observer bias, the researcher may focus on the info selectively
Difficult to generalize

Question 21

What ethical guidelines must be followed when carrying out psychological research?

Answer 21

Informed consent: Participants should give consent in writing and must be aware of aim and procedures
Voluntarily: Must participate because they want to and should not be forced
Deception: Should not be deceived over nature or any procedures involved
Debriefing: After research, psychologists must be prepared to discuss
Withdrawal: should be made aware that they have the right to withdraw
Confidentiality: results should remain confidential and identities not revealed
Professional conduct: Guideline that must be adhered to at all times.

Question 22

What is the literal meaning of psychology?

Answer 22

The word ‘psychology’ is derived from two Greek words, ‘psyche’, meaning the mind, soul or spirit and ‘logos’, meaning discourse to study. These words combined produce the ‘Study of the mind’.