Psychology as a Science beta Flashcards
(50 cards)
What is psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
What are the two major components of psychology?
Observable behavior and internal mental processes such as thoughts, feelings, and motivations.
What are the four main goals of psychology?
To describe, explain, predict, and control behavior and mental processes.
Who is considered the father of psychology?
Wilhelm Wundt.
What was Wilhelm Wundt’s major contribution to psychology?
He established the first psychology laboratory and introduced structuralism through introspection.
What is structuralism?
An early school of psychology focused on breaking down mental processes into basic components.
Who expanded on Wundt’s ideas to develop structuralism in the U.S.?
Edward Titchener.
What is introspection?
A method of self-observation where individuals report their conscious experiences.
What is functionalism?
A school of psychology that focuses on how mental and behavioral processes function and enable adaptation.
Who is associated with functionalism?
William James.
What is Gestalt psychology?
A psychological approach that emphasizes that the whole of anything is greater than its parts.
What is psychoanalysis?
A theory developed by Sigmund Freud emphasizing the role of unconscious processes and childhood experiences.
What is behaviorism?
A theory that psychology should only study observable behavior, not mental processes.
Who are key figures in behaviorism?
John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner.
What is the humanistic approach to psychology?
A perspective that emphasizes personal growth, free will, and human potential.
Who are the main figures in humanistic psychology?
Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.
What is cognitive psychology?
The study of mental functions such as perception, memory, reasoning, and problem-solving.
What is the biological perspective in psychology?
An approach that examines how brain processes, genetics, and hormones influence behavior.
What is the sociocultural perspective?
It examines how social and cultural environments influence behavior and mental processes.
What is the evolutionary perspective?
A view that behaviors and mental abilities have evolved over time to aid survival and reproduction.
What is the scientific method in psychology?
A systematic process of observing, forming a hypothesis, testing, analyzing, and drawing conclusions.
What are the key steps in the scientific method?
Observation, hypothesis formation, experiment, data analysis, and conclusion.
What is a hypothesis?
A testable prediction derived from a theory.
What is descriptive research?
Research that involves observing and recording behavior without manipulation.