Chapter 1-Science of psychology

Question 1

Psychological science definition

Answer 1

The study, through research, of mind (mental activity), brain and behavior (observable human actions).

Question 2

Nature/nurture debate

Answer 2

Ancient Greece. Are psychological characteristics biologically innate or acquired through culture, education, and experience? Both are dynamically interacting in human development.

Question 3

The mind/body problem

Answer 3

Ancient Egyptians. Separate things or is the mind a subjective experience?

Question 4

Dualism

Answer 4

René Descartes. Separate things, but yet intertwined. Psychologists reject dualism today.

Question 5

William Wundt

Answer 5

Founder of modern experimental psychology. Reaction time, introspection.

Question 6

Introspection

Answer 6

A systematic examination of subjective mental experiences that requires people to inspect and report on the content of their thoughts.

Question 7

Structuralism

Answer 7

Edward Titchener. Conscious experience can be broken down into its basic underlying components.

Question 8

Functionalism

Answer 8

William James. An approach to psychology concerned with the adaptive purpose of the mind and behavior. The mind is more complex and cannot be broken down.

Question 9

Stream of consciousness

Answer 9

William James. (Functionalism) Each person’s continuous series of ever-changing thoughts.

Question 10

Gestalt theory

Answer 10

Max Wertheimer. The whole is different from the sum of its parts. Two people can look at the same thing but see two different things. Personal experience is subjective.

Question 11

Psychoanalysis

Answer 11

Sigmund Freud. Patient’s unconscious into consciousness. Free association.

Question 12

Behaviorism

Answer 12

John B. Watson and Ivan Pavlov. Learn behavior through environmental experience.