General Psych Unit 1

What is behaviour?

Anything an organism does that can be observed and recorded.
Examples: smiling, talking, blinking, sweating.

What are mental processes?

Internal experiences that we infer from behaviour.
Examples: thoughts, feelings, dreams, beliefs, perceptions.

What is the nature-nurture issue?

The debate over how much biology (nature) and experience/environment (nurture) influence behaviour.

What is empiricism?

The idea that knowledge comes from experience, so science should use observation and experimentation.
Think: experience + evidence.

What is tabula rasa?

The idea that the mind at birth is a “blank slate” that experience writes on.
Psychologist: John Locke.

Who was Wilhelm Wundt?

He founded the first psychology laboratory in 1879 and helped establish psychology as a science.

What is structuralism?

The study of the basic elements of conscious experience.
Main question: “What is the mind made of?”

Who was Edward B. Titchener?

He introduced structuralism to North America and used introspection to study conscious experience.

What is introspection?

Having trained people describe their immediate thoughts, sensations, and feelings.
Example: describing every sensation while eating a sour candy.

What is functionalism?

The study of the purpose/function of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
Main question: “What is the purpose of the mind?”

Who was William James?

He founded functionalism and studied how mental processes help people adapt and survive. He is known as the Father of American Psychology.

What is psychoanalysis?

An approach that focuses on the unconscious mind, hidden motives/conflicts, and the effects of early childhood experiences.

Who was Sigmund Freud?

He founded psychoanalysis and believed behaviour is strongly influenced by the unconscious and unresolved childhood experiences.

What is behaviorism?

The study of observable and measurable behaviour, rather than unobservable thoughts and feelings.

What is reinforcement in behaviorism?

A consequence that is used to shape or increase a behaviour.
Example: Giving students candy to encourage them to arrive earlier.

What is humanistic psychology?

An approach that focuses on the whole person, personal choice, growth, potential, and self-actualization.

Who were the major humanistic psychologists?

Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers.

What is self-actualization?

Reaching your potential and personal growth. It is an important idea in humanistic psychology.

What is the cognitive revolution?

The return of the mind as a subject of scientific study, focusing on processes like thinking, learning, memory, perception, and decision-making.

Who was Ulric Neisser?

A leading figure of the cognitive revolution. The cognitive revolution had no single founder.

Who was Anna Freud and what did she study?

She developed ego psychology, studied defense mechanisms, and pioneered child psychoanalysis.

What is the biopsychosocial approach?

Understanding behaviour using biological + psychological + social-cultural factors together.

What is developmental psychology?

The study of physical, cognitive, and social changes throughout the lifespan.

What is social psychology?

The study of how we think about, influence, and relate to other people.

What is clinical psychology?

A branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats psychological disorders.

What is counseling psychology?

A branch of psychology that helps people with problems in living and overall well-being.

What is psychiatry?

A branch of medicine that deals with psychological disorders. Psychiatrists are physicians who may use medication and therapy.