Psychology Chapter 1 Review

Psychology

Scientific study of the human mind and behavior

Scientific Method

1. Question about how/why something happens

2. Propose hypothesis (a testable explanation/prediction)

3. Accumulation of evidence leads to theory (broad collection of evidence)

Empirical method

Acquiring knowledge through observation and experimentation (vs. logic or intuition)

Wilhelm Wundt

A founder of Psychology

• created the first Psychology research laboratory

• Emphasized Structuralism

• To him, psychology was the study of conscious experience, and the goal of psychology was to identify components of consciousness and how those components combined to result in our conscious experience

Structuralism

Understanding the Structure and Characteristics of the mind through Introspection

Introspection

Process by which someone examines their own conscious experience in an attempt to break it into its component parts

William James

-First American psychologist

-Emphasized Functionalism

Functionalism

Emphasized how mental activities contributed to basic environmental survival

• Based on Darwin’s idea of natural selection and adaptation—behavior that is adaptive (enhances survival and reproduction fitness) is selected for and continues

• Some introspection but also more external observable methods, some anatomy & physiology

Sigmund Freud

• Had the idea that The unconscious mind contains urges and feelings that we’re not aware of but that influence our behavior, and the only way to help these people was to gain access to the unconscious

• Developed the Psychoanalytic Theory

• Studied “hysteria” and neurosis

• Problems are because of the unconscious mind

• Thought he could access the unconscious mind through dream analysis

Psychoanalytic Theory

• Focused on the unconscious mind & drives as as early-childhood experience

• Developed by Sigmund Freud

Generative

Focused on building a theory

Empirical

Focus on observable data

Gestalt Psychology

• “Whole” or “Form”

• The whole of a sensory experience is greater than the sum of its parts

• Kohler, Koffka, and Wertheimer were German psychologists who immigrated to the U.S. to escape Nazi Germany

• Perception of sensory information is not merely combining individual pieces, rather, focus on the composite whole which forms our perception

Ivan Pavlov

Discovered the concept of classical conditioning

Classical Conditioning

• Stimuli and reflexes

• Pairing of natural associations with learned associations

John Watson

____ is known as the father of behaviorism within psychology.

• Believed that objective analysis of the mind was impossible

• Instead, focused on observable behavior and ways to bring that behavior under control

• Implications for cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

B.F. Skinner (Operant Conditioning)

Concentrated on how behavior was affected by its consequences

• Studied the principles of modifying behavior through reinforcement and punishment as major factors in driving behavior

• Answer as: name of psychologist (type of conditioning)

Abraham Maslow (Humanism)

• Emphasis on people’s capacity for good

• Proposed a hierarchy of human needs in motivating behavior

• Asserted that so long as basic needs necessary for survival were met, higher-level needs would begin to motivate behavior

• Answer as: name of psychologist (name of psychological approach)

Carl Rogers (Humanism)

• Developed a client-centered therapy method

• Believed therapists need: 

  • Unconditional positive regard

  • Genuineness

  • Empathy

• Answer as: name of psychologist (name of psychological approach)

Client-centered Therapy

Involves the patient taking a lead role in the therapy session

The Cognitive Revolution

• By the 1950’s, new disciplinary perspectives in linguistics, neuroscience, and computer science were emerging

• The mind became the new focus of the scientific inquiry

Noah Chomsky

He believed psychology needed to incorporate mental functioning into its focus in order to fully understand human behavior

Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic

Psychology has a history of studying primarily W.E.I.R.D societies

• w______

• E______

• I_______

• R______

• D______

Operant Conditioning

B.F. Skinner pioneered _______?

Self-Actualization

The highest level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is ______?

Structure, Function

Biological psychologists study how the ________ and ________ of the nervous system generate behavior

Research can include:

• Sensory and motor systems

• Sleep

• Drug use and abuse

• Ingestive behavior

• Reproductive behavior 

• Neurodevelopment

• Plasticity of the nervous system

• Biological correlates of psychological disorders

Perception

Experience of the world which is influenced by where we focus our attention, our previous experiences, and our cultural backgrounds

Sensation

Sensory information (sights, sounds, touch, smell)

Personality Psychology

Focuses on behaviors and thought patterns that are unique to each individual

Social Psychology

How individuals interact and relate with others and how such interactions can affect behavior

• Prejudice

• Attraction

• Interpersonal conflicts

• Obedience

Health Psychology

Focuses on how individual health is directly related or affected by biological, psychological, and sociocultural influences

The biopsychological model suggests that health/illness is determined by an interaction of these three factors

Clinical Psychology

Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and problematic patterns of behavior

• Studies involved therapy and counseling

Cognitive-behavioral therapists take cognitive processes and behaviors into account when providing psychotherapy

Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology

• Applies psychological theories, principles and research to industrial and organizational settings

• Involves issues related to personnel management, organization structure and workplace environment

Sports and Exercise Psychology

• Psychological aspects regarding sports and physical performance

• Study includes motivation, performance related anxiety, and general mental well-being

Forensic Psychology

• Deals with justice system

• Tasks include assessment of individuals’ mental competency to stand in trial, sentencing and treatment suggestions, and advisement regarding eyewitness testimonies