1. The Emergence of Psychology

Question 1

What is the discipline of psychology?

Answer 1

Psychology is the scientific study of people, the mind and behaviour (British Psychological Society, 2014)

Question 2

What is the mind?

Answer 2

Inner experience, perception, thoughts, feelings and memories

Question 3

What is behaviour?

Answer 3

Observable actions

Question 4

What are the domains of psychological inquiry?

Answer 4

Biological
Cognitive
Developmental
Social
Individual differences

Question 5

What is nativism?

Answer 5

Plato (428-347 BC):

Certain kinds of knowledge are innate or inborn

Question 6

What is philosophical empiricism?

Answer 6

Aristotle (384-322 BC):

All knowledge is acquired through experience

Question 7

What did Descartes (1596-1650) propose?

Answer 7

Mind-body dualism:

The brain and the mind are different. The body is material whilst the mind is spiritual.

Question 8

What did Hobbes (1588-1679) suggest about mind-body dualism?

Answer 8

Hobbes rejected Descartes’ suggestion, arguing that the mind is what the brain does.

Question 9

What is phrenology?

Answer 9

Franz Gall (1758-1828):
Mental abilities and characteristics are localised in specific brain regions.
Bumps and indentations on the skull reflect size of brain regions and attributes.
Based on anecdotes and casual observations.
No evidence to support this.

Question 10

Why is Wilhelm Wundt (1867) significant in the “birth” of psychology?

Answer 10

Wilhelm Wundt (1867) opened the first laboratory dedicated to psychological study.

Question 11

What is structuralism?

Answer 11

Analysis of basic elements.

Question 12

What is introspection?

Answer 12

Subjective observation of own experience.

The method used by Wilhelm Wundt to study structuralism.

Question 13

What is functionalism?

Answer 13

William James (1842-1910):
Argues that breaking down consciousness into its component parts (structuralism) distorts its nature.
Proposed functionalism - the study of the purpose mental processes serve in enabling people to adapt to their environment.

Question 14

What is gestalt psychology?

Answer 14

The whole is of greater value than the sum of its parts.

Question 15

What is psychoanalysis?

Answer 15

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939):
Suggested patient problems result from underlying unconscious conflict.
Conflict is managed (unconsciously) by defence mechanisms e.g. denial.
Mental health problems arise as a result of ego anxieties (developmental fixation) or defence mechanisms.

Question 16

What are the 5 psychoanalytical stages (Freud, 1856-1939)?

Answer 16

1. Oral (18-24 months)
2. Anal (24-48 months)
3. Phallic (48 months to 6 years)
4. Latency (6 years to puberty)
5. Genital stage (puberty to adulthood)

Question 17

Who are the 2 main figures in humanistic psychology?

Answer 17

Abraham Maslow (1908-1870) and Carl Rogers (1902-1987)

Question 18

What is humanistic psychology?

Answer 18

An approach to understanding human nature that emphasises the positive potential of human beings

Question 19

What is client-centred therapy about in humanistic psychology?

Answer 19

Congruence, unconditional positive regard, empathy

Question 20

What is behavioural psychology?

Answer 20

The study of external behaviour since behaviour is objective and observable.