Psychology Chapter 1

What is the definition of Psychology?

The scientific study of the mind, which includes internal mental processes such as thinking, feeling, and perceiving, as well as observable behaviors.

Who invented Psychoanalysis, and what is its main focus?

Sigmund Freud. Psychoanalysis focuses on the influence of the unconscious mind, repressed desires, and early childhood experiences in shaping human behavior and personality.

What is Structuralism? Give an example and name a key figure.

An early school of thought in psychology aimed at analyzing the conscious experience by breaking it down into its basic elements or structures through introspection. Key figures include Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener. Example: Asking a person to describe the precise sensations, colors, and feelings they experience while looking at an apple.

What is Functionalism? Give an example and name a key figure.

An early school of thought that emphasizes the purpose of mental processes and behaviors in helping an organism adapt and survive in its environment. Heavily influenced by Charles Darwin, a key figure is William James. Example: Studying how the emotion of fear enables an individual to respond effectively to a dangerous situation.

What is the difference between Structuralism and Functionalism?

Structuralism asks 'WHAT are the basic building blocks of the mind?' while Functionalism poses the question 'WHY does the mind function the way it does to aid our survival?'

What are the 5 levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (from bottom to top)?

1. Physiological: Basic requirements for human survival like food, water, sleep, and oxygen. 2. Safety: Needs related to personal security, employment, health, and shelter. 3. Belongingness and Love: Social needs including friendships, family connections, and intimate relationships. 4. Esteem: The need for respect, self-worth, achievement, and recognition. 5. Self-Actualization: The realization of one's full personal potential and self-fulfillment.

What method does Psychology use to acquire knowledge? (Hint: It involves experimentation/data, but is NOT called 'the scientific method')

The Empirical Method (Empiricism). It is a systematic practice of acquiring knowledge based on direct observation, measurement, and experimentation instead of relying solely on logic or intuition.

What is the Biological / Neuroscience perspective in psychology?

This perspective examines how biological factors, including genetics, brain chemistry (like neurotransmitters), and the nervous system impact behavior and mental processes.

What is the Cognitive perspective in psychology?

This perspective centers on understanding human thought processes, focusing on areas such as memory, perception, decision-making, language, problem-solving, and intelligence.

What is the Behavioral perspective in psychology?

This perspective emphasizes the study of observable behavior and how it is learned through interactions with the environment, particularly through rewards and punishments, while rejecting internal mental states as unscientific.

What is the Psychodynamic perspective in psychology?

Rooted in the work of Freud, this perspective focuses on understanding how unconscious motives, internal conflicts, and childhood experiences shape current behaviors.

What is the Humanistic perspective in psychology?

This viewpoint emphasizes human potential, free will, and personal growth, associated with theorists such as Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, focusing on self-actualization.

What is the Developmental perspective in psychology?

This perspective studies the changes that occur in physical, cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions throughout a human's lifespan, from prenatal development to old age.

What is the Social perspective in psychology?

This perspective investigates how an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or inferred presence of other people.

What apparatus was invented to study Operant Conditioning?

The Skinner Box, officially named the Operant Conditioning Chamber, developed by B. F. Skinner to investigate how animals learn through reinforcement (rewards) and punishments.

How is Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology applied in the workplace?

Industrial-Organizational psychology applies psychological principles to enhance various aspects of business, including improving employee selection/hiring processes, boosting workplace morale, enhancing job performance, providing leadership training, designing organizational structures, and fostering a healthy work-life balance.

What is a Hypothesis in the context of scientific research?

A Hypothesis is a specific, testable, and falsifiable prediction regarding the relationship between two or more variables, often expressed as an 'If… then…' statement and derived from a broader theory.

Who is considered the 'Father of Experimental Psychology' and why?

Wilhelm Wundt is known as the 'Father of Experimental Psychology' because he established the first formal psychology laboratory in 1879 at the University of Leipzig, Germany, which marked the separation of psychology from philosophy.

What is Introspection?

A research technique requiring trained participants to reflect on and report their own conscious internal mental experiences in response to various stimuli, which was a prominent method used in Structuralism.

What is Gestalt Psychology and its central motto?

Gestalt Psychology is a psychological perspective focusing on the nature of perception. Its central motto is 'The whole is greater than the sum of its parts,' which suggests that the mind perceives patterns and configurations as unified wholes rather than as merely individual elements.

What is the Biopsychosocial Model?

This model is an integrative approach to understanding human behavior that incorporates Biological factors (genetics, brain chemistry), Psychological factors (thoughts, emotions), and Socio-cultural factors (family, social environment, cultural influences).

What is an Operational Definition?

An Operational Definition is a clear and precise explanation of how variables will be defined and measured in a specific study, crucial for replicating research. For instance, defining 'stress' can involve measuring a score on a 1–10 scale or analyzing heart rate in beats per minute (BPM).

What is the difference between a Theory and a Hypothesis?

A Theory is a comprehensive, well-substantiated explanation of facts or phenomena, while a Hypothesis is a narrow, specific prediction that stems from a Theory and can be empirically tested.

What is Falsifiability?

Falsifiability is a key criterion for any scientific hypothesis or theory; it must be structured such that it can be proven false through empirical evidence if it is incorrect.

Who were the key early figures of Behaviorism?

Key early figures of Behaviorism include: Ivan Pavlov, who discovered Classical Conditioning (illustrated by experiments with salivating dogs); John B. Watson, who is regarded as the founder of Behaviorism (known for the 'Little Albert' experiment); and B. F. Skinner, who developed the concept of Operant Conditioning (utilizing the Skinner Box to study behavior).