CHAPTER 1 Flashcards
HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY
(Historical Perspective)
What is structuralism?
(Think, structure of mental)
Why did it fall off?
The study of the mind’s organization.
Relied on the responses of patients and their potentially flawed insight/expression.
These flawed methods are why this perspective largely has died out.
(Historical Perspective)
* What is Functionalism?
(think, Functions of behaviours)
All behaviours and thought processes we have as a species developed/exist due to our ancestors need for survival.
(Fear-Emotional response, triggers fight or flight to promote survival.)
(Historical Perspective)
What is the Psychoanalytical Perspective?
[Freud. think Psycho-Analysis]
Focuses on the subconscious/unconscious mind, early childhood experiences and sexual conflict.
(Historical Perspective)
Behaviourism
(Think: we can only see actions)
Focuses on only observable actions.
Believed that everyone is born as a blank slate and that all behaviours are learned.
(Historical Perspective)
Humanism
(Think: Human nature is..?)
Focuses on the positives of human nature.
Believes that humans aren’t born evil.
Important Focuses on : Free will, and altruism.
(Historical Perspective)
Cognitive Revolution
(Think: Cognitive means mind.)
Focuses on mental processes to understand the person’s actions.
**The study of thought.
Know each side of these debates:
(Only one question on test)
Stability VS Change
Nature VS Nurture
Free Will VS Determinism
Stability VS Change: Humans (Behaviour / personality / thought processes/etc.) are either naturally stable, and must be forced to change by external influences. Or, They naturally change over time even without external influences.
Nature VS Nurture: Is behaviour the result of genetics (Nature) or experiences (Nurture). Unlikely to find a psychologist wo believes in an extreme of either side.
Free Will VS Determinism: do we choose our behaviour or is it pre determined
Know the Goals of Psychology
(Think: What, When, Why, & How to help)
Describe [What]
Predict [When]
Explain [Why]
Control [How to help]
Know the difference between:
Applied Psych
and
Research Psych
Applied : Applies studies to help patients, or influence major social institutions.
Research : Uses studies to further research in the field regarding behaviours and mental processes.
[Fields]
Abnormal Psychology
Focus on MENTAL issues and disorders in people.
*this is the largest field: Psychiatry, counseling, Clinical Psychologists.
[Fields]
School Psychology
Focused on individuals with learning difficulties.
Students are referred by teachers, SP then asses & come up with plans to aid the students diagnosed with learning difficulties (IEP, Individual Education Plan)
[Fields]
Developmental Psych
Think: Develop = change
Study of change over time/throughout life. Changes in the way people think and behave throughout life. Encompassing the entire lifespan, psychologists ill often pick a certain area/time in life to focus their studies on. Study of aging
[Fields]
Social Psych
The study of humans within the social world, social relationships, social processes, and social institutions.
[Fields]
Cognitive Psych
Cognitive = Thought
Study of mental processes/thinking. Focus on the types and ways of human thought and how it impacts our behavior (attention, problem-solving, memory, language, decision-making)
[Fields]
Biological Psych
Think : Neuroscience
Study of how biology/physiology affects the ways we think/behave. Focus on three main processes, The nervous system’s impact, the endocrine /hormone impacts, and the genetic impact on the ways we think and behave
[Fields]
Sensation/Perception Psych
Think : Different perspectives
Focuses on How we receive info from the world through our five senses, and how we each interpret and use that info to make decisions.
[Fields]
Health Psych
think : Physical health
Study of physical health on behavior, focus on how medical issues affect a person’s mind, take risk prevention, and try to help stop medical disorders from appearing or from substantially affecting a person’s mind. May attempt to influence gov. Policies and insurance policies to benefit the general public.
[Fields]
Industrial / Organizational Psych
Application of psych to the workplace. Focus on topics like : Best management process, increasing productivity, hiring practicing (How to conduct ads and interviews), and Employee morale.
[Fields]
Forensic Psych
Application of psych processes to the legal and justice systems. There is research, but most of this work is applied. Mainly have an area of expertise and then hire themself out to aid in legal proceedings. (Testify in court as expert witnesses, help with jury selection, research incarceration vs rehabilitation,)
