Introduction to Psychology (1)

What is the definition of psychology?

 The scientific study of human mind and behavior.

What are the two main components of psychology?

1. Mind (covert processes) – Internal thoughts, emotions, memories (not observable).

2. Behavior (overt processes) – Actions, speech, expressions (observable).The two main components of psychology are mind and behavior.

How does psychology use scientific methods?

Psychology uses systematic research methods, avoiding assumptions and relying on empirical evidence (data from observation and experiments).

What are the three key reasons why psychology is important?

1. Explains mental activity and behavior.

2. Teaches critical thinking.

3. Improves personal, academic, and career life.

 What was the focus of structuralism in psychology?

 It focused on breaking down mental processes into basic components, like sensations and thoughts.

 What method did structuralists use?

 Introspection (self-examination of thoughts and feelings).

What is a major criticism of structuralism?

 It is too subjective and not scientifically reliable.

What did functionalism study in psychology?

It studied why mental processes exist and how they help humans adapt to their environment.

What is a limitation of functionalsm?

It lacked controlled experiments and relied more on theory than empirical data.

What is the central idea of Gestalt psychology?

 "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts," focusing on how people perceive patterns and wholes.

 How would Gestalt psychologists interpret a picture?

They would focus on seeing the full image as a whole, rather than analyzing individual pixels.

Who developed psychoanalytic theory and what does it focus on?

Sigmund Freud developed it, and it focuses on the unconscious mind and its influence on behavior.

 What is an example of a Freudian slip in psychoanalysis?

Saying "I love you" instead of "I like you," revealing hidden emotions.

How does classical conditioning work in behaviorism?

In Pavlov’s experiment, dogs learned to salivate at the sound of a bell, associating the bell with food.

 What is operant conditioning in behaviorism?

It is learning through reinforcement, such as giving a dog a treat for sitting.

What is the primary focus of humanistic psychology?

 It emphasizes personal growth, self-actualization, and free will.

How would cognitive psychology study memory?

Cognitive psychology may study how the brain processes and retrieves information, similar to how a computer processes and outputs data.

 How does evolutionary psychology explain the fear of snakes?

The fear of snakes may have helped early humans survive by avoiding dangerous reptiles.

What is a visual universal psychological trait

Facial expressions for emotions, like smiling for happiness or frowning for sadness.

 How do individualism and collectivism differ in psychology?

Individualism focuses on personal goals and independence (common in Western societies), while collectivism emphasizes group goals and interdependence (common in Eastern societies).

 Name at least three subfields of psychology.

1. Cognitive Psychology

2. Social Psychology

3. Clinical Psychology

What is an example of research in cognitive psychology?

Studying how people solve math problems or make decisions.

What is an example of work in clinical psychology?

Therapy for depression, anxiety, or PTSD.

 What would developmental psychologists study?

They might study how language develops in children over time.

What does descriptive research do in psychology?

It observes and describes behavior, such as through case studies or natural observations.

What does correlational research examine?

 It examines relationships between variables, such as studying the link between stress and poor sleep.

What is the purpose of experimental research in psychology?

It tests cause-effect relationships, like whether caffeine improves memory.

What does "informed consent" mean in psychological research?

Participants must be fully informed about the study and agree to participate voluntarily.

How do psychologists protect participants' privacy and confidentiality?

They ensure personal data is protected and not shared without permission.

What is a criticism of psychoanalytic theory?

It lacks empirical support and is difficult to test scientifically.

What is an example of cognitive psychology using the computer metaphor?

The brain processes input (perception), processes it (thinking), and produces output (behavior)

What is an example of evolutionary psychology?

Preference for high-calorie foods, which was helpful in times of food scarcity for survival.

What is an example of research in social psychology?

Studying how peer pressure affects people's decisions.

What is an example of industrial-organizational psychology?

Studying how job satisfaction affects workplace performance.

What is an example of a universal psychological trait?

Emotions like happiness and sadness, which are expressed similarly across cultures.

How does cultural psychology differ from universal psychology?

Cultural psychology examines how psychological experiences differ by culture, such as individualism versus collectivism.

Who is associated with structuralism in psychology?

Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener.

 Who is associated with functionalism in psychology?

William James.

Who is associated with Gestalt psychology?

Max Wertheimer and Wolfgang Köhler.

 What ethical guideline ensures participants’ personal data is protected?

privacy

What ethical guideline ensures that participants are fully informed about the study before agreeing to it?

 Informed consent.

What does "confidentiality" mean in psychological research?

 Information collected from participants must not be shared without their permission.

What does "protection from harm" mean in psychological research?

Participants should not experience unnecessary distress or harm during a study.

What does psychology rely on to make conclusions?

Psychology relies on empirical evidence gathered through observation and experimentation.

 What does experimental research test in psychology?

It tests cause-effect relationships between variables.

 What does correlational research examine?

It examines relationships between two or more variables to see if they are related.