Chapter 1 Flashcards

1
Q

What is Psychology?

A

The scientific study of behaviour and the mind.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define Behaviour

A

Refers to actions and responses that we can directly observe.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define mind

A

Refers to internal states and processes, such as thoughts and feelings, that cannot be seen directly and that must be inferred from observabl, measurable responses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is Clinical Psychology?

A

The study and treatment of mental disorders.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is Cognitive Psychology?

A

specializes in the field of mental processes, especially from a model that views the mind as an information processor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How does Psychology overlap with other domains?

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Science is…

A

A process that involves systematically gathering and evaluating emperical evidence to answer questions and test beliefs about the natural world.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Empircal Evidence is…

A

Evidence gained through experience and observation, which includes evidence that is manipulated and tinkered with.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Define systematic

A

Done according to a fixed plan.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Why do observations in science need to be systematic?

A

To make them as objective and precise as possible.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are some misconceptions that arise about human behaviour from our own faulty thinking?

A
  • Taking mental shortcuts when making judgements
  • We sometimes fail to think of alternative explanations
  • Fail to test established beliefs further - confirmation bias.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Define confirmation bias

A

only paying attention to information that supports ones already established beliefs or downplaying other information that is inconsistent with already established beliefs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is a strength of science?

A

self-correcting process.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Define scientific progress

A

Evolution of knowledge.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What does critical thinking involve?

A

Taking an active role in actually understanding the world around you Instead of just receiving information and doing nothing with it.

It also means to evaluate factualizations set before

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What questions should you ask to evaluate a claim?

A
  • What exactly is the claim?
  • Who is making the claim? Are the trustworthy/ credible?
  • How good is the evidence?
  • Are other explanations possible? can they be evaluated?
  • What is the most appropriate conclusion?
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the 4 central goals of Psychology?

A
  • Describe behaviour
  • Explain and understand the causes
  • Predict behaviour under certain conditions
  • Influence or control behaviour through knowledge and control of its causes to enhance human wellfare
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Define levels of analysis

A

Behaviours can be examined at different levels:

  • biological level
  • psychological level
  • environmental level
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Define mind-body interactions

A

The relationship between mental processes of the brain and bodily functions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Define perspective

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Define mind-body dualism

A

deduces that the mind and body are separate entities that cannot be related. The body is physical but the mind is is not subject to the same physical laws.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

How was the mind and body first thought to interact? Who developed this theory?

A

through the pineal gland by Rene Descartes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Define monoism

A

opposite to dualism, this theory hold that mind and body are one and the mind is not a separate spiritual entity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Who advocated monism?

A

Thomas Hobbes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Define British empiricism. Who coined this?

A

That knowledge and ideas are gained through the sense emperically. Observation is more valid than reason because reason could prove wrong.

John Lock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Define Psychophysics

A

How brain processes can be determined/ experienced through physical stimuli.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Define structuralism

A

Analysis of the mind in terms of its basic structure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Who founded structuralism?

A

Wilhelm Wundt & Edward Titchener

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Define introspection

A

Looking within

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Define functionalism

A

Study of the functions of conciousness rather than the structure.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Who is a leader in the functionalist movement?

A

William James

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

How does functionalism endure in two modern day fields?

A
  • Cognitive psychology
  • Evolutionary pyscology
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Define psychodynamic perspective

A

Studies causes of behaviour based off of the inner workings of the personality, emphasizing the unconsciousness

34
Q

Who developed the psychodynamic theory?

A

Sigmund Freud

35
Q

Define free association

A

expressing any thoughts that come to mind

36
Q

Define psychoanalysis

A

Internal psychological forces that are primarly unconscious.

37
Q

What is a primary defense mechanism proposed by Freud?

A

Repression

38
Q

What do modern psychodynamic theories focus on?

A

Early relationships and how they influence behaviour and shape ones perspectives.

39
Q
A
40
Q

Describe the behavioural perspective

A

This persepctive looks at how the external environment drives our behaviours based off of acquired habits and immediate stimuli

41
Q

define tabula-rasa

A

A blank slate - human mind when first born

42
Q

Define law of effect

A

behaviour is more likely to occur when there is a benefit

43
Q

Define behaviourism

A

School of thought that control of the environment through learning renders bahviour

44
Q

Who led to movement of behaviourism?

A

John B. Watson

45
Q

Who was a lead 20th century behaviourist?

A

B. F. Skinner

46
Q

Describe behaviour modifications

A

techniques aimed at controlling the environment in order to reduce problematic behaviour and increase positive behaviour

47
Q

Who is a leading cognitive behavourist?

A

Alberta Bandura

48
Q

Describe cognitive behaviourism

A

learning experiences and environmental factors effect behaviour by relaying information about how to behave

49
Q

Describe the humanistic perspective

A

emphasizes free will, personal growth and autonomy, and finding ones purpose in life - the meaning of existence relies squarely in our hands.

50
Q

Define self-actualization

A

reaching of ones individual potential

51
Q

Describe belongingness

A

Everyones need for social acceptance and companionship

52
Q

Describe positive psychology movement

A

emphasizes the study of human strengths, fulfillment and optimal living - focuses on the good and not the bad

53
Q

Describe Gestalt psychology

A

Study of how elements of experience are organized systematically in the brain into a ‘whole’ perception

54
Q

What is referred to as the cognitive revolution?

A

1960-1970’s peak interest in mental processes

55
Q

Describe cognitive psychology

A

study of mental processes both conscious and unconscious by which people problem solve, make decisions, form perceptions and learn

56
Q

descrive cognitive neuroscience

A

links the biological perspective with congnitive psychology to examine brain recordings during tasks with brain imaging techniques

57
Q

Describe the sociocultural perspective

A

describes how the social environment and cultural learning influence behaviour, thoughts and feelings.

58
Q

What does the word presence include?

A
  • physical presence
  • implied presence
  • imagined presence
59
Q

Define culture

A

Traditions, values, behaviour and beliefs that is shared with a large group of people and is passed down to following generations

60
Q

Define norms

A

Typically a set of unwritten rules that define appropriate behaviour for members of a group - often set by culture

61
Q

Define cultural psychology

A

Studies how culture is transmitted through generations and the psychological differences and similarities amoungst cultures

62
Q

What is an important difference amoung cultures?

A

The extent to which they emphasize individualism and collectivism

63
Q

What does individualism emphasize?

A

personal growth and self identity based on ones own accomplishments/ success and attributes

64
Q

What cultures typically represent individualism?

A

Northern Europe and North America

65
Q

What does collectivism emphasize?

A

Identity is tied greatly to the family and other social groups and and individual goals are subordinated to the those of the group

66
Q

What cultures typically represent collectivism?

A

Asian, African, South America

67
Q

Describe the biological perspective

A

examines how brain processes and other bodily functions influence behaviour

68
Q

What three classes of causal factors does the biological perspective focus on?

A
  • sensory experiences
  • emotions
  • thoughts
69
Q

define neurotransmitters

A

Chemicals released by nerve cells that allow them to communicate with each other

70
Q

Describe behaviour genetics

A

The study of how genetics play a role in behaviour

71
Q

what is meant by natural selection?

A

Essentially if specific traits give certain members advantages those members are more likely to survive and pass on those traits

72
Q

describe revolutionary psychology

A

Six to explain how evolution shaped modern human behaviour it also stresses how behaviour has changed similarly to Bodies

73
Q

Describe sociobiology

A

Holds that complex social behaviours are also built into the human based off of evolution - Once genetic survival is more important than one’s physical survival

74
Q

What are the six major psychological perspectives?

A
  • psychodynamic
  • behavioural
  • humanistic
  • cognitive
  • sociocultural
  • biological
75
Q

What three levels of analysis can behaviour be examined?

A
  • Biological levels of analysis
  • Psychological levels of analysis
  • Environmental levels of analysis
76
Q

Describe an interaction means

A

the way in which one factor influences behaviour depends on the rpesence of another factor.

77
Q

What are six important themes of contemporary psychology?

A
  • Psychology is empirical
  • our experiences of the world are subjective
  • behaviour is determined by multiple causual factors
  • nature and nurture compliment each other
  • pyschological capacities have evolved
  • cultural environment affects behaviour and mental processes
78
Q

What is the focus of biological analysis a question?

A

Genetic inheritance brain processes hormones and evolutionary changes that underlie behaviour

79
Q

What is the focus of psychological analysis?

A

Examines how behaviour is influenced by mental processes and psychological motives.

80
Q

What is the focus of environmental analysis?

A

Behaviour and thought shaped by physical and social context such as culture