Chapter 1 Flashcards
Who was the founder of psychology?
Wilhelm Wundt
Structuralism
Was based on the notion that the task of psychology is to analyze consciousness into its basic elements & investigate how these elements are related
Where did structuralism emerge from?
The leadership of Edward Titchener
What did structuralists want to identify?
They wanted to identify the fundamental components of conscious experience - sensations, feelings, and images
Introspection
Required training to make the subject/person being studied, more objective and aware
Functionalism
was based on the belief that psychology should investigate the function/purpose of consciousness rather than its structure
Who influenced functionalism?
William James
What did William James argue?
He argued that consciousness consists of continuous flow of thoughts
What do functionalists investigate?
They investigate mental testing, patterns of development in children, the effectiveness of educational practices, and behavioural differences between the sexes
Behaviouralism
Is a theoretical orientation based on the premise that scientific psychology should study only observable behaviour
Who founded behaviouralism?
John B. Watson
Behaviour
Refers to any observable response or activity by an organism
Unconscious
Contains thoughts, memories, and desires that are well below the surface of conscious awareness but exerts great influence on behaviour
Who was Sigmund Freud?
- Austrian physician
- He treated people troubled by psychological problems like irrational fears, obsessions, anxieties
What did Sigmund Freud conclude?
He concluded that psychological disturbances are largely caused by personal conflicts existing at an unconscious level
What does Sigmund Freud’s psychological theory attempt to explain?
It attempts to explain personality, motivation, and mental disorders by focusing on unconscious determinants of behaviour
What is the fundamental principle of behaviour documented by Skinner?
Organisms tend to repeat responses that lead to positive outcomes, and they tend to not repeat responses that lead to neutral/negative outcomes
Humanism
Is a theoretical orientation that emphasizes the unique qualities of humans, especially their freedom and their potential for personal growth
Clinical psychology
Is the branch of psychology concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of psychological problems and disorders
Cognition
Refers to the mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge or the thinking/conscious experience
Evolutionary Psychology
Examines behavioural processes of a species over the course of many generations (natural selection favours behaviours that enhance organisms reproductive successes)
Positive Psychology
Uses theory and research to better understand the positive, adaptive, creative, and fulfilling aspects of human existence
Psychology
The science that studies behaviour and the physiological and cognitive processes that underlie it
9 research areas in modern psychology:
- developmental psychology
- social
- experimental
- behavioural neuroscience
- cognitive
- personality
- psychometrics
- educational
- health
