Chapter 1

Question 1

Psychology:

Answer 1

The scientific study of behaviour and its causes

Question 2

List several subfields of psychology and their purpose

Answer 2

Clinical Psychology - Study + Treatment of mental disorders

Cognitive psychology - Study of mental processes

Biopsychology/neuroscience - Focuses on the biological basis of behaviour

Developmental Psychology - Examines human physical, psychological, and social development across the lifespan

Experimental Psychology - Focuses on learning, sensory systems, perception, and motivational states

Industrial-Organizational Psychology - Examines people’s behaviour in the workplace

Personality Psychology - Focuses on core personality traits and how they influence behaviour

Social Psychology - Examines people thoughts, feelings, and behaviour in the social world.

Cultural Psychology - Study of how culture is transmitted to its memebers

Question 3

What are the four goals of psychology? How are these goals linked?

Answer 3

1. To describe how people/animals behave
2. To explain and understand the causes of these behaviours
3. To predict how people and animals will behave under certain conditions
4. To influence or control behaviour through knowledge and control of its causes to enhance human welfare

If we understand and know when the factors are present or absent then we should be able to predict when the behaviour will occur.

Question 4

Basic Research:

Answer 4

Research designed to obtain knowledge for its own sake

Question 5

Applied Research:

Answer 5

Involves the application of scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

Question 6

What are the levels of analysis

Answer 6

1. Biological level: Brain processes, genetic influence
2. Psychological level: Thoughts, feelings, and motives
3. Environmental level: Past and current physical & social environments we are exposed to

Question 7

Perspective:

Answer 7

A theoretical vantage point from which to analyze behaviour and its causes

Question 8

Mind-body dualism:

Answer 8

Belief that the mind is a spiritual entity not subject to physical laws that govern the body

Question 9

Monism:

Answer 9

Views the mind and body to be one creating chemical reactions in the brain to produce emotions/decisions

Question 10

British Empiricism:

Answer 10

All ideas and knowledge are gained through the senses

Question 11

Structuralism:

Answer 11

German school establish by Wilhelm Wundt that attempted to study the structure of the mind by breaking it down into basic components

Question 12

Functionalism:

Answer 12

Early American psychology that focused on the consciousness and behaviour that help organisms adapt and satisfy their needs

Question 13

Psychodynamic perspective: Unconscious processes

Table 1.3 Pg 23 in Psychology: Frontiers and Application

Answer 13

It focuses on inner personality dynamics in understanding behaviour. i.e unique trait patterns, emotions, and motives.

Question 14

Psychoanalysis:

Answer 14

The analysis of internal and primarily unconscious psychological forces

Question 15

Behavioural perspective: Learned behaviour

Table 1.3 Pg 23 in Psychology: Frontiers and Application

Answer 15

Focuses on the role of the external environment in governing our actions.

Question 16

Cognitive perspective:
Thought processes

Table 1.3 Pg 23 in Psychology: Frontiers and Application

Answer 16

Views humans as rational information processors and problem solvers. Focuses on the mental processes that influence behaviour

Question 17

Cognitive Behaviourism:

Answer 17

Suggests that the environment influences our behaviour by affecting our thoughts and giving us information.

Question 18

Humanistic Perspective: Striving to achieve

Table 1.3 Pg 23 in Psychology: Frontiers and Application

Answer 18

Emphasizes personal freedom, choice, and self-actualization

Question 19

Gestalt Psychology:

Answer 19

Examines how the mind organizes elements of experience into wholes

Question 20

Cognitive Neuroscience:

Answer 20

Study of the brain activity of people engaging in cognitive tasks

Question 21

Culture:

Answer 21

Enduring values, beliefs, behaviours, and traditions that are shared b a large group of people and passed throughout generations.

Question 22

Sociocultural perspective: Social forces, culture

Table 1.3 Pg 23 in Psychology: Frontiers and Application

Answer 22

Examines how sociocultural perspective examines how the social environment and cultural learning influence our behaviour, thoughts, and feelings

Question 23

Biological Perspective: Genes, brain processes

Table 1.3 Pg 23 in Psychology: Frontiers and Application

Answer 23

Examines how brain processes and other bodily functions regulate behaviour.