history and research methods Flashcards
Wilhem Wundt and STRUCTURALISM
Structuralism studies the human mind and the basic units that can be identified through introspection
William James and FUNCTIONALSM
Functionalism focuses on more objective forms of study and argues that it’s necessary to study aspects of the mind and behavior in terms of function.
Sigmund Freud and UNCONSCIOUS
Unconscious conflicts can produce psychological disorders. Difficult to prove scientifically
Watson, Skinner, and BEHAVORISM
Emphasizes environmental forces in shaping behavior (consequences, rewards, punishments). “People do what they do because they are being rewarded for it”
Nativism
The human mind is created with pre-existing structures and information. NATURE and biology/genetics
Empiricism
The human mind is shaped by the environment. NURTURE, environment. (E&E)
Biopsycophysical Approach: Biological influences
brain mechanisms, hormonal influences, genetic predispositions responding to environment, natural selection of adaptive traits
Biopsycophysical Approach: Psychological influences
cognitive research, emotional responses
Biopsycophysical Approach: Social-Cultural influences
cultural/family/social expectations, peer/group influences
Subfields of Psyc: Biological
explore the links between brain and mind
Subfields of Psyc: Clinical
studies, treats people with disorders
Subfields of Psyc: counseling
helps people cope with problems (academic, marital)
Subfields of Psyc: Cognitive
studies how we perceive, think, and solve problems
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH: Case Studies
One singular person, n=1. Provides detailed information; sometimes bias and not a big enough sample. Example: Phineas Gage
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH: Naturalistic observation
“Real World.” People may act differently when they are being observed
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH: Surveys
Provides lots of data, could have dishonest results, sample is representative
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH pt 1
-Measures connections between 2 or more variables
-Correlation does not equal causation: Does A cause b? or B cause A?
-there are outliers
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH pt 2
Correlational coefficient (r): measures the extent to which variations in one variable are accompanied by INCREASES or DECREASES in a second variable
-example: lemonade and weather
-both thumbs up, positive. both thumbs down, negative
Correlation coefficient: R
-indicates the STRENGTH and DIRECTION of the relationship between variables
-numerical value between -1 and +1, 0 means no correlation
-example: Strongest correlation= Largest number, IGNORE + or -
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
most powerful to determine CAUSE AND EFFECT relationships between variables
3 steps:
1. random assignment
2. manipulation of independent variable (cause)
3. measurement of this manipulation on dependent variable (effect)
independent variable
supposed cause
manipulated by experimenter
dependent variable
supposed effect
outcome variable measured by experimental
Goals of psychology
describe- observe and describe before understanding
explain- organize and make sense of findings
predict- predict behaviors/outcomes if explanation is valid
change- modify or change behavior, apply findings of psychological research to direct behaviors
