AP Psychology Unit 1: Psychology's History and Approaches Flashcards
How is psychology a science?
Psychology uses the tools of science to describe, explain, predict, and control behavior and mental processes
“The rat is always right”
Facts speak for themselves. Researchers have to accept the results of the study even if the hypothesis has been proven wrong.
Socrates and Plato
The mind is separable from the body and continues after the body dies. Knowledge is innate.
Aristotle
Knowledge comes from experience/observation and is not innate. We need information to learn
Greek philosophers
Aristotle, Plato, Socrates
René Descartes
Agreed with Socrates and Plato. Dissected animals and discovered that fluid in brain flows through nerves to muscles, causing movement
Francis Bacon
Father of modern science and empiricism
John Locke
We are a blank slate at birth and it is our experiences that define us (called tabula rasa)
Empiricism
The idea that knowledge is the result of experience and that scientific knowledge is developed through observation and experimentation.
Wilhelm Wundt
Established the first psychology lab and wanted to measure the fastest mental processes (“atoms of the mind”)
Physics (remember for test)
Edward Bradford Titchener
Used introspection to search for the mind’s structural elements (structuralism)
Structuralism
The early school promoted by Wundt and Titchener focused on identifying the elements of thought and mind (structures) the way early chemists developed the periodic table to classify elements.
Introspection
The process of looking inward to directly observe one’s own psychological processes.
Charles Darwin
Natural selection of physical and mental traits and adaptive evolution. Influenced William James
William James
Wrote “Principles of Psychology” and introduced functionalism
Functionalism
An early school of thought promoted by James and influenced by Darwin; explored how mental ad behavioral processes function - how they enable an organism to adapt, survive, and flourish
Mary Whiton Calkins
A student of William James who was denied her Ph.D. due to her gender. Memory researcher and the first female president of the APA
Margaret Floy Washburn
Student of Edward Titchener and the first female to earn a Ph.D. in psychology. Wrote “The Animal Mind.” The second female president of the APA
Behaviorists
John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner
Behaviorism
States that psychology should be an objective science. Observable behavior is important to study, not unseen mental processes. We can be conditioned (Baby Albert). Classical conditioning (reflexes) and operant conditioning (behavior)
Sigmund Freud
Founder of psychoanalysis (treatment process) and personality theory
Fruedian Psychology
Called psychoanalysis: Unconscious forces and childhood experiences affect our behavior and mental processes.
Humanists
Abraham Moslow and Carl Rogers
Humanism
States that humans strive to reach their full potential. Emphasizes unconditional love and personal growth. The “third force in psychology” that rejected behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Study of potential and personal growth.
Cognitive Psychology
The study of mental processes: Thinking, perceiving, learning, remembering, communicating, and solving problems.
Cognitive Neuroscience
The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language).
Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of humans and other animals’ behavior and mental processes.
Behavior
Any observable and measurable action taken by a person or other animal (anything a person or animal DOES)
Mental processes
The internal, subjective experiences inferred from behavior (sensations, perceptions, dreams, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings.)
Nature-Nurture Issue
Is it genes or is it experience? Contemporary psychology recognizes the importance of both nature and nurture as well as how they interact
Nature
Behaviors and mental process occur because they are inborn or innate: Socrates, Plato, Rene Descartes, Charles Darwin
Nurture
Behaviors and mental processes occur as a result of experience or the environment: Aristotle, John Locke’s “blank slate”
Charles Darwin and Nature vs. Nurture
Argued for nature in his book “On the Origin of the Species”
Traits and behaviors that provide a survival or reproductive advantage are naturally selected
Evolutionary Psychology
The study of how behaviors and mental processes present in the species today exist because they were naturally selected
Behavior Genetics
The study of the relative influence and limits of genetic (nature) and environmental (nurture) influences on behaviors and mental processes
Twin studies
Identical (monozygotic) twins share 100% of the same genes
Fraternal (dizygotic) twins share 50% of the same genes
Twin studies provide evidence for the relative influence of nature and nurture and are used in behavior genetics
WEIRD Cultures
Western, Industrialized, Democratic, Educated, Rich
Culture
The shared ideas, values, behaviors, and
traditions, shared by a group of people and passed from one generation to the next.
Culture’s Impacts
Perception of time and promptness
Ideal personal space
Beliefs about marriage and sex
Emotional display
Gender
Socially constructed roles and characteristics by which a culture defines male and female.
Positive Psychology
The scientific study of human flourishing with the goal of discovering and promoting human strengths and virtues and strengthening individuals and communities
Martin Seligman is the founder of positive psychology
Biopsychosocial approach
Understanding behavior or mental processes from three key viewpoints.
Behavioral Perspective
How learned and observable behaviors impact behavior and mental processes.
Biological Perspective
How biological (genetics, neural, hormonal) and physiological processes impact behavior and mental processes.
Cognitive Perspective
How interpretations of situations and mental
processes (thoughts, memories, problem-solving) impact behavior and mental processes.
Evolutionary Perspective
How the natural selection of traits has promoted the survival of genes
Humanistic Perspective
How the drive for personal growth and
self-actualization impact behavior and mental processes.
Psychodynamic Perspective
How unconscious drives and conflicts impact behavior and mental processes.
Social-Cultural Perspective
How behavior and thinking vary across situations and cultures
Critical Thinking
Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, appraises the source, discovers hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions
Natural Selection
The principle that inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will (in competition with other trait variants) most likely be passes on to succeeding generations
Testing Effect
Enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading, information. Also referred to as retrieval practice effect or test-enhanced learning
SQ3R
A study method incorperating 5 steps: Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, Review
Psychometrics
The scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes, and traits
Basic Research
Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base
Developmental Psychology
A branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span
Educational Psychology
The study of how psychological processes affect and can enhance learning and teachiing
Personality Psychology
The study of individuals’ characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting
Social Psychology
The scietific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another
Applied Research
Scientific studies that aim to solve practical problems
Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology
The application of psychological concepts and methods to optimize human behavior in workplaces
Human Factors Psychologists
A field of psychology allied with I/O psychology that explores how people and machines interact and how machines and physical environments can be made safe and easy to use
Counseling Psychologists
A branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often related to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being
Clinical Psychology
A branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders. Promotes psychological health in individuals, groups, and organizations
Psychiatry
A branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; Practiced by physicians who are licensed to provide medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychological therapy
Community Psychology
A branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups
G. Stanley Hall
Wundt’s student who established the first formal US psychology laboratory at Johns Hopkins University in 1883
Ivan Pavlov
A Russian psychologist who pioneered the study of learning. He pioneered “classical conditioning,” which is focused on reflexes
Jean Piaget
A Swiss biologist who was the century’s most influential observer of children
Dorthea Dix
Led the way for humane treatment of those with psychological disorders
B.F. Skinner
Pioneered “operant conditioning,” which is focused on behaviors
Cognitive Approach Strengths
Flexible theory that allows for differences between people and the complexity of thought. It is particularly well-suited towards treatment
Cognitive Approach Weaknesses
Thoughts are difficult if not impossible to observe and study. Making a science or treatment plan from this approach often requires people to reflect and report on their own thoughts, which has flaws
Psychodynamic Approach Strengths
Flexible theory that can not be proven wrong (you can not prove that the unconscious does not exist). Practically, we know that seemingly random thoughts and urges come from somewhere.
Psychodynamic Approach Weaknesses
This theory isn’t very specific; it attempts to study a hidden part of the thing that we can not study
Behaviorist Approach Advantages
Behaviors and reflexes can be studied and punishments and rewards have a measurable effect on behavior
Behaviorist Approach Disadvantages
Creativity and thoughts are not simple reflexes and people are more complex than simple rewards and punishments (ex: acts of love and selflessness)
Biological Approach Advantages
A scientific theory that is based on what can be measured, counted, and observed
Biological Approach Disadvantages
This theory is too simplistic: It is presumptuous to say that biology knows what love or creativity is based on what the brain does
Humanstic Approach Advantages
A positive theory that allows for and encourages differences between people. It believes in and promotes development.
Humanistic Approach Disadvantages
The theory is not based on science. One can not observe the untapped potential of a person.
Sociocultural Approach Advantages
Culture is somewhat measurable. We can use these cultural measurements when talking about average behavior and thoughts
Experimental Psychology
Investigate a variety of basic behavioral processes in humans and other animals like motivation, learning, perception, and language. They rely on experimental methodology to conduct studies
Psychometric and Qualitative Psychologists
Study math-related methods to acquire psychological knowledge. They may study and improve neurocognitive or personality tests or devise new tests.
Forensic Psychologists
Apply psychology to legal settings. Conduct research on the interface of law and psychology, help create public policies related to mental health, help law enforcement agencies in criminal investigations, and consult on jury selection and deliberation processes
Environmental Psychologists
Study the interaction of individuals with their natural and built environments. They are interested in how we influence and are affected by our environments
Health Psychologists
Researchers or practitioners concerned with psychology’s contribution to promoting health and preventing disease. They help individuals lead healthier lives by designing, conducting, and evaluating programs and treat psychosocial problems associated with chronic illness.
Neuropsychologists
Investigate the relationship between neurological processes and behavior. May assess, diagnose, or treat central nervous system disorders or evaluate people for evidence of head injuries, learning and developmental disabilities, and other psychiatric disorders
Rehabilitation Psychologists
Work with people who have lost optimal functioning after an accident, illness, or other event
School Psychologists
Assess and intervene for children in educational settings. Diagnose and treat cognitive, social, and emotional problems that negatively influence children’s learning and functioning
Sport Psychologists
Study the psychological factors that influence, and are influenced by, participation in sports or other physical activities
Psychodynamic Psychology
A branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior and uses that information to treat people with psychological disorders
