CCP Psychology

How did philosophy and physiology influence the development of psychology?

By the early 1800s, discoveries in physiology supported the application of scientific methods to questions of behavior and mental processes.

Describe the major original “schools” of psychology, and identify the individuals responsible for these origins:

Indigenous Psychology is an understanding of psychology that is developed from the local culture and context. (Durganand Sinha) Edward B. Tichener developed structralism- study of the basic components of conscious experience. William James created functionalism;the new school of psychology. Study of function and or behavior of mental experiences. 

What are the seven major contemporary perspectives in psychology, and how do they differ in emphasis and approach? How does each perspective lend a unique understanding of peoples’ behaviors and mental processes?

1. Biological perspective-emphazies human and animal behavior such as nervous syste, immune system, and genetics. 

2. Psychodynamic perspective-unconscious process and early experience 

3. Behavioral perspective-observanle behavior and fundamental learning laws

4. Humanistic perspective-focus on personal growth, slef-concept, choice and self direction. 

5. The positive psychology perspective-positive emotions, positive individual traits

6. The cognitive perspective-focuses on influence of mental process and behavior: memory, problem solving

7. The cross-cultural perspective-diversity of patterns or behavior across cultures. 

Each differs in what they believe is most important for explaining behavior. 

4 goals;

1. Describe

2. Explain

3. Predict

4. Control

Scientific method is a set of assumptions, attitudes, and procedures that guides all scientists, including psychologists, in conducting research.

1. Formulate testable hypothesis 

2. Design the study and collect data

3. Analyze the data and draw conclusions

4. Report the findings

Hypothesis

a tentative statement that describes the relation between two or more variables.

theories

-a tentative statement that describes the relation between two or more variables

operational definitions;

a tentative statement that describes the relation between two or more variables

descriptive

research strategies for for observing and describing behavior, including identifying factors that seem to be associated with a particular phenomenon. 

experimental

to show that one variable causes change in a second variable.

Descriptive methodss

n psychology are scientific tools used by researchers to gather information and describe behaviors, patterns, or phenomena without manipulating variables.. Strength provides quality data . weakness, can not be easily provided to broader population. 

correlational study

a research design that meausres 2 or more variables to see whethere there is a relationship between them. Correlational research cannot prove that one variable causes changes in another.

what is an experiment

Method of investigation used to demonstrate cause-and-effect relationships by purposely manipulating one factor thought to produce change in another factor.

What’s the difference between an independent variable and a dependent variable?

I=factor that is purposely manipulated to produce change in an experiment. D=factor that is observed and measured for change in an experiment (outcome variable)

 How and why are experimental and control conditions used in an experiment? To prove cause and effect relationships.  How and why is random assignment used in an experiment?

to act as a control group.  What are the strengths and weaknesses of using experiments?=cause and efffect, control,  weakness=ethical issues 

Describe variations in experimental designs including placebo, control group, practice affects, expectancy effects, double-blind studies, and demanding characterisitics.

• Placebo control group: Gets a fake treatment so researchers can compare it to the real treatment.

• Practice effects: People may do better because they have practiced the task before.

• Expectancy effects: People may act differently because they expect a certain result.

• Double-blind study: Neither the participants nor the researchers know who gets the real treatment.

• Demand characteristics: Participants change their behavior because they figure out what the researchers expect.

Overall: These methods help make experiments more accurate and reduce bias.

what can psychologists do to keep their research ethical?Should animals be used in research?

Animals can be used in psychological research when it is necessary and carefully controlled. Researchers should minimize pain and stress and only use animals when the research cannot be done another way.