Chapter 1 Flashcards
Psychology Definition
The study of behaviour, thought and experience, and how they can be affected by physical, mental, social and environmental factors.
Examines the individual as a product of multiple influences (biopsychosocial)
The Scientific Method?
A way of learning about the world through collecting observations, making theories to explain them, and using the theories to make predictions.
Theories:
-generate hypotheses
-explain phenomenon
-not the same as beliefs (are tested)
Hypotheses
-testable prediction about process that can be observed and measured
-is falsifiable
-cannot technically be proved (only confirmed and reinforced)
Scientific Literacy
Knowledge Gathering-What do we know?
Critical Thinking- Can we critically evaluate the evidence?
Application- Is this important?
Scientific Explanation- How can science explain this?
Empiricism
Knowledge about the world gathered through careful observation.
We understand behaviour by making observations and testing hypotheses (empirical research)
Determinism
Events are governed by cause and effect relationships.
Occur at different levels (biological, motivational, habitual…)
History of Studying Behavior
-Ancient Egyptian doctors described behavioural changes following head trauma
-Greek (Hippocrates) and Roman (Galen of Pergamon) physicians developed 4 humours/ temperaments theory of personality
-Adoption of scientific method
-Materialism/Dualism
Materialism
Belief that humans and other living beings are composed exclusively of physical matter
Dualism
There are properties of humans that are not material
Gustav Fechner (Influences from Physics)
Psychophysics- Study of relationship between the physical world and the mental representation of the world
Charles Darwin (Influences from Evolutionary Theory)
-Natural Selection
-Genetically inherited traits that contribute to survival and reproductive success are more likely to be passed on
-Traits will differ across environments
Localization of Brain Function (Influences from Medicine)
-Idea that certain parts of the brain control specific mental abilities and personality characteristics
-Phrenology
-Brain Injuries
Phrenology
Mental traits and dispositions can be determined by examining the surface of the skull (27 organs)
Brain Injuries
Paul Broca- Left frontal lobe: Spoken language production
Karl Wernicke- Left hemisphere: Language Comprehension
Phineas Gage- Frontal lobe damage: impulsiveness, child like behaviour
Sigmund Freud (Influences From Medicine)
-Intrigued by hypnosis
-Psychoanalysis
-Believed unconscious mind contained
-forgotten memories
-sexual and aggressive urges
-Psychoanalysis allowed direct access to mind
-Recognized unconscious mental activity
-Used medical model to treat disorders of thought, emotion and behaviour
-Recognized evolutionary influences
-Recognized importance of early life experiences