Mastering the World of Psychology - Chapter 1

Psychology

scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Scientific method

orderly, systematic procedures researchers follow

(Observe and theorize - formulate a hypothesis, design the study, collect data, apply results to the hypothesis)

Basic Research

seeks new knowledge

advances general scientific understanding

Applied Research

solves practical problems

improves the quality of life

Wilhelm Wundt

"father" of psychology

established the FIRST psychological laboratory at the University of Leipzig, Germany (1879)

Developed introspection

Introspection

analysis of basic elements of conscious mental experience

Edward Bradford Titchener

studied under Wundt

established psych lab at Cornell University

named his school of thought "structuralism"

Structuralism

established psychology as a science

aimed at analyzing the basic elements of conscious mental experience

Functionalism

how humans and animals use mental processes to adapt to their environment (broadened the scope of psychology)

William James

main advocate of functionalism

clarified definition of mental processes (fluid, have continuity, not rigid structures)

Christine Ladd-Franklin

completed her PhD at Johns Hopkins in the 1880's

formulated a theory of color vision

Schools of Thought in Psychology

Behaviorism - Psychoanalytic - Humanistic - Cognitive - Evolutionary - Biological - the Sociocultural approach

Behaviorism

the science of behavior

observable, measurable behavior

environment is the key determinant of behavior

Psychoanalysis

developed by Sigmund Freud

treatment method for psych disorders

Psychoanalytic Theory

individual's thoughts, feelings, and behavior as determined by the unconscious

Humanistic Psychology

humans have the capacity for choice, growth, and psychological health

positive view of human nature (people are innately good, humans posses free will)

Abraham Maslow

theory of motivation

emphasizes hierarchy of needs

Cognitive Psychology

humans are not passive recipients pushed and pulled by environmental forces

-active participants who shape their experiences

Gestalt Psychology

the mind interprets events rather than simply reacting to them

Information-Processing Theory

the brain processes information in sequential steps

Evolutionary Psychology

investigates human behaviors necessary for survival and how behaviors adapted in the face of environmental pressures over the course of evolution

Biological Psychology

studies structures of the brain, neurotransmitters, hormones, effects of heredity, individual differences

Sociocultural Approach

how background and cultural experiences affect behavior and mental processes

Naturalistic Observation

observation of behavior in its natural setting with no attempt to influence behavior

Laboratory Observation

studies behavior in a laboratory setting and allows more control and more precise measurement of responses

Case Study

studies an individual, or a small group, in depth

Independent Variable

factor or condition deliberately manipulated to determine whether it causes any change in another behavior or condition

Dependent Variable

factor or condition measured to determine the impact of the experimental manipulation

Experimental Group

exposed to the independent variable

Control Group

exposed to the same experimental environment but NOT given the independent variable

Placebo effect

response to a treatment caused by a person's expectations, not the treatment

Double-Blind Technique

neither the experimenter nor the participants know who is in the experimental or control groups