CHAPTER 1: PSYCHOLOGY AND LIFE Flashcards
define psychology
the scientific study of the behavior of individuals and their mental processes. As such, psychologists are behavioral scientists
define the scientific method
the orderly, analytical process used in all sciences to analyze and solve problems
define individual
most often the subject of scientific analysis in psychology. This can include studying behavior that is affected by developmental change, as well as external environmental change
define behavior
observable, measurable action. The means by which both animals and humans adjust to their environment
define mental processes (cognitions)
the private, internal workings of the mind
what is attention and selection
selectively focusing on some stimuli and ignoring other stimuli
define dichotic listening
the presentation of two different messages at the same time, you are to ignore one message and attend to the other message
exceptions of dichotic listening
similarity of information and similarity in the level of meaningfulness of the message
what is the stroop effect
delay in reaction time between congruent and incongruent stimuli
Perception is a selective and active process that is influenced by what 2 things
external and internal factors
what 3 external factors direct your attention
contrast, repetition, and movement
what external factors direct your attention first
intensity of size or the intensity of the noise
how does contrast work in directing your attention
a new or novel stimulus that stands out front or contrasts with the background will grab ones attention. Large objects stand out in contrast to smaller objects. Background events are processed if they are novel and important.
what are the internal factors that direct your attention
motive and needs, preparatory set, interest, and emotional state and personality
how do your motives and needs work in directing your attention
people who are hungry, thirsty, or sexually aroused are likely to pay attention to events in the environment which will satisfy those needs
how does a preparatory set work in directing your attention
a persons is more ready to respond to one kind of sensory input but not two other kinds
what two factors are involved with preparatory sets
prior experience with the material and your temporary or enduring mood
define organization
The process of combining sensory input into perceptual objects
what 3 ways does Gestalt say psychologists perceptually organize our world
perceptual grouping, organizational patterns, and perceptual consistency
what is perceptual grouping
the tendency to perceive stimuli (seeing things) into meaningful holes or patterns
what are organizational patterns
your brain will organize groups through patterns instead of clusters of isolated stimuli
what are the 7 laws of perceptual organization
figure and ground, the principal of proximity or nearness, the principal of similarity of likeliness, closure, continuity, symmetry, and common fate