1) Psychology History Flashcards
Chapter 1
Introspection
Method which observers carefully reflect and report mental experiences
Wilhelm Wundt
- developed 1st psych lab in germany (late 1800s)
- focus on introspection
- marked beginning of psychology as a science (psych of human error / self deception)
Is there an unifying theoretical perspective that best explains behaviour?
nope, each view contributes smt valuable and have its own limitations
Structuralism
(late 1800s)
Edward B. Titchener (student of Wundt)
- used introspection to identify basic elements of psychological experience
- went astray: assumed introspection could provide all the info needed
perspective that is interested in the “elements of the mind”
Structuralism
Influence of Structuralism
Emphasis on the importance of systematic observation to study conscious experiences
Functionalism
(late 1800s)
William James
- influenced by Charles Darwin (natural selection)
- Understand the functions or adaptive purposes of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours
Influence of Functionalism
has been absorbed into psych and continues to influence indirectly
Behaviorism
(early 1900s)
B.F. Skinner and John B. Watson
- uncover general principles of learning that explain observable behaviours
Perspective that is referred to as “black box psychology”
Behaviorism
Influence of Behaviorism
- in models of human and animal learning
- among the first to focus on the need for objective research
Cognitivism
(late 1900s)
Jean Piaget and Neisser
- examine the role of mental processes on behavior
- our interpretation of rewards and punishments is crucial
Influence of cognitivism
problem solving, concept formation, intelligence, memory, psychotherapy
Psychoanalysis
(early 1900s)
Sigmund Freud
- uncover the role of unconscious psychological processes and early life experiences in behavior
- decode meanings of our slips of tongue
- core of personality is molded within first few years of life
Drawback of Psychoanalysis
difficult or impossible to falsify
Influence of Psychoanalysis
understanding that much of our mental processing goes on outside of conscious awareness
primary influences in psychoanalysis
unconscious drives (sexuality, aggression)
Perspective that uses introspection to identify basic elements of psychological experience
Structuralism - E.B. Titchener
Perspective that seeks to understand the adaptive purposes of thoughts and behaviors
Functionalism - William James
Perspective that seeks to uncover the general principles of learning
Behaviorism - B.F. Skinner
Perspective that examines the role of mental processes on behavior
Cognitivism - Jean Piaget
Perspective that seeks to uncover the role of the unconscious mind and early life events
Psychoanalysis - Sigmund Freud
What are the two great debates?
- Nature nurture debate
- Free Will Determinism Debate
Nature Nurture Debate
Are our behaviors attributable mostly to our genes or to our environments?
Free Will Determinism Debate
to what extent are our behaviors freely selected rather than caused by factors outside of our control
-> Is free will an illusion?
- Free will stems from how we aren’t aware of the subtle environmental influences affecting our behavior all the time
Behaviorist’s view on the free will debate
behaviour is completely determined by preceding influences
Belief in free will serves to ___ unethical behavior
inhibit
Is the statement falsifiable: No human lives forever
unfalsifiable
Is the statement falsifiable: All humans live forever
falsifiable
Which is unfalsifiable?
A) More heads than tails
B) Heads every time, until someone looks
C) HTTHTHTHH specifically
D) Heads =/ tails
B
Which is MOST falsifiable
A) More heads than tails
B) Heads every time, until someone looks
C) HTTHTHTHH specifically
D) Heads =/ tails
C
most easy to prove wrong
Which is LEAST falsifiable?
A) More heads than tails
B) Heads every time, until someone looks
C) HTTHTHTHH specifically
D) Heads =/ tails
D
hardest to prove false cuz only false when heads = tails
