Chapter 1 The Science of Psychology

Question 1

Adaptations

Answer 1

In evolutionary theory, the physical characteristics, skills, and abilities that increase the chances of reproduction or survival, and are therefore more likely to be passed along to future generations.

Question 2

Behaviorism (Watson, Skinner)

Answer 2

A psychological approach that emphasizes the role of environmental forces in producing behavior.

Question 3

Cognitive Neuroscience

Answer 3

The study of neural mechanisms (brain, nerves, nervous tissue) that underlie thought, learning, and memory

Question 4

Cognitive Psychology

Answer 4

The study of how people think, learn, and remember

Question 5

Critical Thinking

Answer 5

Systematically evaluating information to reach reasonable conclusions

Question 6

Culture

Answer 6

The beliefs, values, rules and customs that exist within a group of people who share a common language and environment and that are transmitted through learning from one generation to the next.

Question 7

Evolutionary Theory

Answer 7

A theory presented by the naturalist Charles Darwin; it views the history of a species in terms of the inherited, adaptive value of physical characteristics, of the mental activity, and of behavior.

Question 8

Functionalism (James)

Answer 8

An approach to psychology concerned with the adaptive purpose, or function, of mind and behavior; purpose of consciousness and behavior

Question 9

Gestalt Theory

Answer 9

A theory based on the idea that the whole of personal experience is different from simply the sum of its constituent elements

Question 10

Introspection

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Mind/body problem

Answer 11

A fundamental psychological issue: Are mind and body separate and distinct, or is the mind simply the physical brain’s subjective experience?

Question 12

Natural Selection

Answer 12

In evolutionary theory, the idea that those who inherit characteristics that help them adapt to their particular environments has a selective advantage over those who do not

Question 13

nature/nurture debate

Answer 13

The arguments concerning whether psychological characteristics are biologically innate or acquired through education, experience and culture

Question 14

Psychoanalysis

Answer 14

A method developed by Sigmund Freud that attempts to bring the contents of the unconscious to conscious awareness so that conflicts can be revealed

Question 15

Psychological Science

Answer 15

The study of mind (mental activity=perceptions, thoughts, memories, feelings), brain (mental activity resulted from biological process within the brain), behavior (observable action)

Question 16

Social Psychology

Answer 16

The study of how people are influenced by their interactions with others

Question 17

Stream of Consciousness

Answer 17

A phrase coined by William James to describe each person’s continuous series of ever-changing thoughts

Question 18

Structuralism (Tichener, Wundt)

Answer 18

An approach to psychology based on the idea that conscious experience can be broken down into its basic underlying components; first major school of thought; method of introspection

Question 19

Unconscious

Answer 19

The mental processes that operate below the level of conscious awareness

Question 20

Wilhelm Wundt

Answer 20

Founder of the first psychology lab

Question 21

Human Genome Project

Answer 21

An attempt to map the basic human genetic code

Question 22

The cognitive revolution focused research in psychology on things such as

Answer 22

thinking and decision making

Question 23

If you believe that the mind is not made of discrete elements but rather is flowing, changing, and continuous, your beliefs are most similar to those of:

Answer 23

James

Question 24

What is the best definition of the interdisciplinary approach to psychological science?

Answer 24

working on the same question across scientific fields

Question 25

Jordan studies consciousness by training himself to objectively report on his own sensations, which is similar to how the __________ school investigated psychology.

Answer 25

structuralist

Question 26

dualism

Answer 26

although the mind and body are linked, they have separate distinct functions