PSY 101 Lecture Chapter 1 Study Guide

What is psychology?

The scientific study of the mind, brain, and behavior.

What is the scientific approach in psychology?

Hypothesis testing; involves test and retest.

What are psychology's roots?

Psychology dates back to the 1870s, answering questions traditionally posed by philosophers by borrowing methods from natural sciences.

What is innatism according to Descartes?

The belief that innate beliefs are genetically programmed to arise in our minds.

What is empiricism according to Aristotle?

The belief that all knowledge is gained through sensory experience.

Who is Wilhem Wundt?

The first psychologist who believed that mental experiences are hierarchical.

What was the first official psychology experiment?

Wundt’s experiment about reaction time.

Can behavior be broken down to essential elements?

Yes.

Who are Gestalt psychologists and what do they believe?

They rejected structuralism, believing that breaking a 'whole' into its building blocks results in the loss of important psychological information.

How do we acquire meaningful perceptions in a chaotic world?

By understanding our ability to perceive and process information.

What do psychologists do?

Clinical practice, work in higher education, schools, businesses, and government.

What is the difference between structuralists and functionalists?

Structuralists focus on breaking the mind into its smallest elements, while functionalists emphasize the purpose of behavior and mental processes.