Psychology Chapter 1

Front 1

What is psychology?

Back 1

a broad field with many specialties, but fundamentally is the SCIENCE OF BEHAVIOR AND MENTAL PROCESSES

Front 2

observable behaviors (external)

Back 2

- voluntary and involuntary actions
- brain, nervous system, endocrine system

Front 3

mental processes (internal)

Back 3

- not directly observable
- thinking, feeling, remembering, wanting, perceiving

Front 4

theory. definition? what must it be?

Back 4

-explain a set of facts or observations
- must be testable/falsifiable

Front 5

how do you test a theory? (steps taken and what do you do in the end result?)

Back 5

- through research (inductive method)
- observe, theorize, observe again (revise)
- generalizing from specifics (sample of a broad category)

Front 6

direct observation of something

Back 6

characteristics of scientific research: empirical

Front 7

measurable

Back 7

characteristics of scientific research: quantitative

Front 8

results should allow us to predict what will happen later

Back 8

characteristics of scientific research: predictive

Front 9

can be repeated. if it cannot, it cannot stand as a scientific finding. must have multiple studies done.

Back 9

characteristics of scientific research: replicable

Front 10

Psychophysics: person and method

Back 10

-Fechner 1860
- tested how much sensory stimulation is required for someone to sense something (ex. light in a room)

Front 11

analytical introspection: person and method

Back 11

- Wundt 1879
- Introspect: Asked people to analyze and describe sensory and emotional responses to various stimuli

Front 12

structuralism: person and method

Back 12

- Titchener 1890
- broader theory of how experience works of analytical introspection

Front 13

critics of introspective methods say?

Back 13

- it is too subjective
- findings were not replicable (no uniform observations)
- not really a science because subjectivity is not factual

Front 14

functionalism: person and method

Back 14

- James 1890
- says structuralism is too narrow.
- Psychology should include function of the consciousness and explain HOW PEOPLE ADAPT (or fail to adapt) TO THE REAL WORLD OUTSIDE TEH LAB.
- lead to applied psychology

Front 15

Biological psychology

Back 15

View of human nature:
- we are complex, PHYSICAL systems that respond to hereditary and environmental influences
What determines our behavior?:
- neutral structures
- biochemistry
- innate responses to external cues
Focus of study:
- nervous system
- endocrine systems
- evolutionary advantages of behaviors (natural selection)

Front 16

Behavioral psychology

Back 16

"Psychology should be the study of observable behavior and the stimuli that shape behavior"
View of human nature:
- we are our behavior (not mental processes) which is caused and shaped by events in our environment
- we are predictable, not unique
What determines our behavior?:
- environmental stimuli
- history of rewards and punishments
Focus of study:
- observable behavior and the "laws" that govern it
ex) how an environment affects learning

Front 17

Cognitive psychology

Back 17

View of human nature:
- we are active information-processing and sense-making systems
What determines our behavior?:
- interpretation of experience by means of MENTAL PROCESSING
Focus of study:
- MENTAL PROCESSES including sensation, perception, learning, memory, thinking, and language

Front 18

Psychoanalytical psychology

Back 18

View of human nature:
- we are the the product of unconscious drives ad our history of efforts to satisfy them in relation to others
What determines our behavior?:
- unconscious DESIRES
- PROHIBITION
- DEFENSES
Focus of study:
- determinants of personality, including unconscious mental processes and intrapsychic conflicts

Front 19

Humanistic psychology

Back 19

"Behavior isnt caused because we have the capacity of choice"
View of human nature:
- we are human beings with FREE WILL who strive towards growth and well-being
What determines our behavior?:
- the choices we make, based on our aspirations and our past experiences
Focus of study:
- uniquely human capacities including: creativity, morality, self-esteem, and spirituality

Front 20

Sociocultural psychology

Back 20

View of human nature:
- we are influenced by our social environment and culture
What determines our behavior?:
- culture and social environment
Focus of study:
- culture