1. Nature of Psychology

Question 1

Psychology Definition

Answer 1

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes in humans

Question 2

Behaviour

Answer 2

Any observable actions made by a living person. Eg. Walking, talking, blinking

Question 3

Mental processes

Answer 3

Individuals thoughts and feelings that are personal and cannot be directly observed. Eg. what you think, understanding something

Question 4

Psychologist

Answer 4

Must study 4 years full time plus and additional 2 years extra study or experience

Question 5

Psychiatrist

Answer 5

A qualified medical doctor who has obtained additional qualifications. Are able to prescribe medicine as they have a medical degree

Question 6

Basic Psychology

Answer 6

Is the study of psychological topics in order to seek knowledge rather than to use it for practical applications

Question 7

Applied Psychology

Answer 7

Is the study of psychological topics that can be applied in a practical and relevant way.

Question 8

Areas of Psychology

Answer 8

Clinical, community, Counselling, Educational, forensic, Health, organisational, sports, biological, cognitive, personality and social

Question 9

Philosophers who started psychology

Answer 9

Socrates, Plato and Aristotle

Question 10

Classical Perspectives

Answer 10

Structuralism - Wilhelm Wundt, Functionalism - William James, Psychoanalysis - Sigmund Freud, behaviourism - John B. Watson and humanism - Carl Rogers

Question 11

Structuralism

Answer 11

Focuses on the structure of consciousness - basic building blocks that make up consciousness, how the parts are organised and how they are interrelated

Question 12

Functionalism

Answer 12

Focuses on studying the functions or purpose that mental processes serve in enabling people to adapt to their environment.

Question 13

Psychoanalysis

Answer 13

Focuses on the roles of unconscious conflicts and motivations in understanding and explaining behaviour and mental processes

Question 14

Behaviourism

Answer 14

Involves understanding and explaining how behaviour is learned and moulded by experience.

Question 15

Humanism

Answer 15

Is an approach to understanding and explaining behaviour and mental processes that focuses on the uniqueness of each individual person and the positive qualities and potential of all human being to fulfil their lives

Question 16

Contemporary Perspectives

Answer 16

Biological, Behavioural, Cognitive and Socio-cultral

Question 17

Biological

Answer 17

Focuses on the biological influences on behaviour and mental processes, including the brain and the rest of the nervous system, the endocrine system, the immune system and genetics

Question 18

Behavioural

Answer 18

Focuses on how behaviour is acquired or modified by environmental consequences such as rewards and punishments

Question 19

Cognitive

Answer 19

Focuses on how we acquire, process, remember and use information about ourselves and the world around us.

Question 20

Socio-cultral

Answer 20

Focuses on the roles of social and cultural influences on human behaviour and mental processes. These are influences such as sex, age, income level and culture

Question 21

Culture

Answer 21

The way of life of a particular group of people: beliefs, values, attitudes, customs etc.

Question 22

Eclectic

Answer 22

Draws on theories, ideas and research methods from different perspectives

Question 23

Scientific Method

Answer 23

Refers to the systematic approach for planning, conducting and reporting research which involves collecting empirical evidence.

Question 24

Empirical Evidence

Answer 24

Is data/information collected directly by observation, or, more frequently in psychology, through experimentation.

Question 25

Pseudoscience

Answer 25

Fake or false science