Introduction to Psychology

These flashcards cover key concepts, figures, and terms discussed in the lecture about the history and foundational ideas in psychology.

What is the nature-nurture debate in psychology?

It discusses how genetic inheritance (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) influence human behavior and characteristics.

Who is Sir Francis Galton and what was his contribution to psychology?

Galton was an early psychologist known for applying statistical methods to develop intelligence tests and discussing the nature-nurture relationship.

What does 'eminence' refer to according to Galton?

Eminence is a concept Galton developed to describe a person's moral thinking abilities, achievements, and overall success, believed to be passed down in families.

What is eugenics?

Eugenics is a term coined by Galton that refers to the belief that some people have better genetics and should be allowed to reproduce, leading to unethical and racist implications.

How did Galton's views on nature-nurture contribute to future ideas on race?

Galton claimed genetic superiority of certain races, which influenced harmful ideologies and figures, including Adolf Hitler.

What method did Wilhelm Wundt use for psychological research?

Wundt used introspection, a method where individuals report their subjective inner experiences.

What is structuralism in psychology?

Structuralism is the school of thought pioneered by Wundt and his student Titchener, focusing on breaking down mental experiences into individual components.

What were some criticisms of introspection as a method in psychology?

Introspection was criticized for lacking scientific rigor since it relied on subjective self-reports that couldn't be externally verified.

What did William James contribute to psychology?

William James wrote the first modern psychology textbook and introduced functionalism, which examines the purpose of behaviors in real-world environments.

What is conditioning, and who is associated with its discovery?

Conditioning refers to learning through association, with Ivan Pavlov credited for discovering classical conditioning.

What was the significance of Pavlov's work with dogs?

Pavlov discovered that dogs could learn to associate a cue (like a lab coat) with an upcoming stimulus (food), demonstrating anticipatory responses.