psych 1000 chap 1 definitions

psychology

the scientific study of mental processes and behavior

the four goals of psychology

describe

predict

observe

control

biopsychosocial approach

a holistic approach to understanding health, illness, and behavior by examining the complex and interconnected roles of biological, psychological, and social factors

metaphysics

the study of reality

epistemology

the study of knowledge

empirical

something is varifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic

Greek hippocrates

“the brain is the organ of mental life”

Aristotle

proposal that mind and body are not the same (inseparable)  knowledge comes through the senses, it is learned (nothing innate)

Rene Descartes

proposed mind and body (brain) are distinct but interact

-reflex arc

John Locke

“tabula rasa” (mind is a blank slate)

all knowledge comes through the senses

Johannes Muller

Nerves contain specific types of energy that give rise to particular sensations “specific nerve energies”

Herman von Helmholtz

Measured the speed of neural impulses.  Discovered that neural impulses were not instantaneous. 

Gustav Fetchner

Described mathematical relationships between physical stimuli and perception.  Devised techniques for psychophysical experiments.

wilhelm Wundt

studied the concious mind. believed the concious mind was made up of simple components

E.B titchener

proposed structuralism - Mind was made up of fundamental elements, which, when combined, form the overall structure

introspection

 Self-report method. Trained individuals would report elements of their sensory experience when exposed to a complex stimulus

william James

functionalism - considers the purpose/function of mental processes 

darwin

theory of evolution/natural selection

gestalt psychology

Argued that consciousness CANNOT be broken down into elements. opposed to structuralism 

sugmund freud

emphasized the unconscious mind

behaviourism

School of thought that psychology should be an objective science that studies only observable behavior without reference to mental processes. 

john B. Watson

founded behaviourism. shifted the focus from unobservable inner thoughts to observable, measurable behaviors

era of radical behaviorism 

1920-1960 

B.F. Skinner

Operant Psychology

Studied learned behavior

Argued that all behavior is shaped by experience with their consequences (rewarded)

humanistic psychology

Emphasized the growth potential of healthy people and the importance of meeting our needs for love and acceptance

cognitive psychology

focusing on internal thought processes

karl lashley

Attempted to determine which areas of the brain responsible for memory, learning, and other functions

behaviorist perspective

studies observable behavior

humanist perspective

to help people reach their unique and full potential (positive growth)

psychobiological perspective

the neural causes of behavior and mental processes

social-cultural perspective

the neural causes of behavior and mental processes

social-cultural perspective

how behavior varies across situations and cultures

evolutionary perspective

examines the adaptive nature of inherited behavior

three main branches of psychology

clinical and counseling 

academic

applied