Chapter 1 Introduction: The Origins of Psychology Flashcards
Theory
A tentative statement that tries to integrate and account for the relationship of various findings and observations
Hypothesis
A tentative statement that describes the relationship between two or more variables
The Scientific Method
A set of assumptions, attitudes, and procedures that guide researchers in creating questions to investigate, in generating evidence, and in drawing conclusions
Operational definition
Defines the variable
in very specific terms as to how it will be measured, manipulated,
or changed
Setting-field vs laboratory
Field experiments are carried out in the real world. Laboratory are controlled experiments in a lab. Field is more real. Experiment is more precise.
Self-report vs observation
People answer on their own behave vs people being observed.
Descriptive research
Strategies for observing and describing a behavior. I.E. when certain behaviors take place, how often they occur, and whether they are related to other factors, such as age, ethnic group, or education levels
Correlational research
Research to determine how strongly two variables are related to each other
Experimental research
The experimental method is used to demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship
between two variables.
Random assignment
Random assignment means that all the participants have an equal
chance of being assigned to any of the experimental groups or conditions.
Placebo
“Sugar pill” or other inactive substance or procedure
Double-blind study
Both the participants and the researchers interacting with them
are blind, or unaware of the treatment or condition to which the participants have
been assigned.
Demand characteristics
It’s when the researcher inadvertently gives cues that may cause a confounding variable to occur which compromises the validity of the test
Informed consent
Informed consent is the process by which the treating health care provider discloses appropriate information to a competent patient so that the patient may make a voluntary choice to accept or refuse treatment.
Confidentiality
In their writing, lectures, or other public forums, psychologists may not disclose personally identifiable information about research participants.
Debriefing
All participants must be provided with the opportunity to obtain information about the nature, results, and conclusions of the research. Psychologists are also obligated to debrief the participants and to correct any misconceptions that participants may have had about the research. From
The influence of philosophy and physiology
Aristotle philosophized about sleep, dreams, senses, and memory. Descartes discussed interactive dualism mind and body as separate entities.
Physiology is the study of the function of the body. Damage to one side of the brain affected the other. Certain parts of the brain handled specific actions
Nativism vs Empricism
Nativism - The theory that mental structures and capacity is innate vs learned.
Empiricism - Knowledge is gained from sense experiences.
Wilheim Wundt
German physiologist who founded psychology as a formal science; opened first psychology research laboratory
Edward B. Titchener
American Psychologist who founded structuralism, the first school of psychology
William James
American philosopher and psychologist who founded psychology in the U.S. and established the psychological school called functionalism
G. Stanley Hall
American psychologist who established the first psychology research laboratory in the U.S.; founded the American Psychological Association.
Mary Whiton Calkins
American psychologist who established one of the first U.S. psychology research laboratories; first woman president of the American Psychological Association.
Psychoanalysis
A theory of personality and form of psychotherapy. Psychoanalysis emphasized the role of unconscious conflicts in the determining behavior and personality
Behaviorism
Based on Ivan Pavlov’s research. Behaviorism founded by John. B. Watson. Behaviorism rejected the study of mental processes and emphasized the study of observable behavior, especially the principles of learning
Humanistic Psychology
Founded by Carl Rogers. Emphasized the psychological growth and the importance of choice in human behavior.
Positive Psychology
Studies emotions, states, traits, and institutions that foster positive individuals and communities.
Structuralism
The structuralists used introspection to try to identify the structures of conscious experiences
Functionalism
Emphasized the adaptive role of behavior.
Cognitive Perspective
Focus on mental processes such as memory, language, learning, thinking, and problem solving.
Evolutionary Perspective
Evolution as an explanation of our psychological processes.
Specialty areas or sub disciplines in Psychology
Biological - Study of physical
Clinical - All things disorder
Cognitive - Looking at mental processes
Counseling - Helping people cope
Developmental - Studying the life stages
Education - Applying psychology to how people learn (for the masses)
School - Applying psychology to schools (for learning disabliities)
Health - Psychology to encourage health
Industrial/Organizational - Psychology for the workplace
Personality - How Psychology affects personality
Social - How society affects us on a psychological level
Applied - Applying psychology to sports, forensics, etc
Sigmund Freud
Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis
John B. Watson
American psychologist who founded of behaviorism
Carl Rogers
American psychologist who founded the school of humanistic psychology
Scientific Inquiry
How scientist study the natural world and propose explanation derived from their work
