The Birth of Psychology

Who conducted the first study on reaction time and discovered individual differences between observers?

Friedrich Bessel

What is the Bell-Magendie Law?

It separates the study of sensory functions and motor functions, indicating that different mental functions are mediated by different anatomical structures.

What is the main focus of Helmholtz's Principle of Conservation of Energy?

Energy is never created or lost; it only changes form.

What did Helmholtz discover about color perception?

He proposed the Trichromatic Theory of Color Perception, stating there are three types of color receptors.

What theory did Ewald Hering propose to explain the 'after image' phenomenon?

Opponent Process Theory.

What is the principle of creative synthesis in psychology?

Elements of thought can be arranged in various configurations, making psychological events unpredictable.

What does Voluntarism, as proposed by Wundt, emphasize?

Understanding consciousness through will, attention, and volition.

According to Brentano, what is intentionality in psychology?

Mental processes are directed towards an object outside themselves.

What is the Law of Prägnanz in Gestalt psychology?

Psychological organization will be as good as conditions allow, leading to organized, symmetrical, simple, and regular cognitive experiences.

What is the phi phenomenon and its relevance to Gestalt psychology?

An illusion of movement created when two or more adjacent lights blink on and off in succession; it emphasizes that conscious experience cannot be reduced to sensory experience.

Who is known for the concept of structuralism in psychology?

Wilhelm Wundt.

What did Edward Titchener contribute to psychology?

He expanded on Wundt's ideas and introduced the method of introspection.

What does the term 'Gestalt' mean in psychology?

It refers to the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Who studied the effects of psychological arrangements on perception?

Max Wertheimer.

What is the main idea of the Law of Closure in Gestalt psychology?

Our minds tend to fill in gaps to create a complete, whole object.

What distinguishes functionalism from structuralism?

Functionalism focuses on the purpose of consciousness and behavior rather than its structure.

What principle did William James contribute to psychology?

The stream of consciousness; emphasizing the flow of thoughts and experiences.

What is behaviorism?

A psychological perspective that focuses on observable behaviors rather than internal thoughts and feelings.

Who is considered the founder of behaviorism?

John B. Watson.

What is the significance of B.F. Skinner's work in psychology?

He developed the concept of operant conditioning, which emphasizes the role of reinforcement in shaping behavior.