Chapter 1 and 2 Flashcards
What is Psych
The scientific study of the mind and behaviour.
What defines scientific study
Gathering and evaluating empirical evidence to answer other questions and test ideas of the world.
Define empirical evidence
Evidence gained through experience and observation.
The 5 questions associated with critical thinking
- What is the claim exactly?
- Are there other explanations possible/probable?
- What empirical tests have been done, what is the quality of tests?
- Is the source trustworthy?
- What is the evidence and how good is it?
Biopsychology
The study of the body as an explanation of behaviour. Hormones, how the brain processes, genes
Developmental psych
Examines humans physical, psychological, social development across entire lifespan.
- how different parenting styles effect children.
- impulse control.
Experimental psych
Brain processes like basic learning, sensations, perception, and motivation to explain behaviour.
- most experiments done on non-humans
Industrial-organization psych
Behaviour in the workplace. Job motivation, stress, job satisfaction, etc.
Personality psych
Focus on personality traits. Are there core traits?
Social psych
How people think of others, how people act around a group vs alone, think/behave towards others.
Cognitive psych
Deeper mental processing to explain behaviour. Memory, problem solving, creativity.
Clinical psych
the cure of psychological issues. Depression, PTSD.
The 4 goals of psych
- Describe behaviour
- Explain and understand behaviour
- Predict behaviour
- Influence and control behaviour
Basic science
Quest for knowledge solely for its own sake.
Applied science
Designed to solve specific, practical problems.
What are the levels of analysis?
Biological
Environmental
Psychological
Monism
Mind=body
Dualism
Mind does not equal body, fundamentally different.