History, Approaches, and Research Methods Flashcards
Psychology
The science of behavior and mental processes
Behavior
Anything an organism does, any action we can observe and record
Mental processes
Internal subjective experiences we infer from behavior
William Wundt
Founder of the science of Psychology lab in Germany, structuralism (Titchener)
Tabula rasa
The idea that everyone is born with a blank slate
William James
Wroth the first Psychology textbook and functionalism
Behavioral approach
Observable behavior, rewards, punishments, conditioning, learning (John B. Watson, B.F. Skinner, Pavlov)
Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic approach
Unconscious, internal conflicts, repression, childhood, fears
Biological approach
Medicine, scans, genes, Phineas Gage
Humanistic approach
Hippie approach, self-actualization, unique potential, hierarchy of needs (Marslow/Rogers)
Cognitive approach
Thoughts, perceptions, memory, change the way someone thinks (Piaget)
Socio-cultural approach
Environment, groups, community, social media
Evolutionary
Survival of the fittest
Eclectic
Use as many different approaches as possible
Basic research
Looks to define and explain theories, not necessarily looking to solve them
Applied research
Looks to solve problems and apply knowledge in real life. Actually provides solutions and addresses the issue, using prior knowledge
Empirical
Learn from experience
Empiricism
The belief that humans are born with a blank slate and learn only through experience (nature over nurture) Lock
Clinical psychologists
Involved in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders (interviewing, psychological testing, and therapy)
Counseling Psychologists
Work with clients (marriage, addiction)
Industrial/Organizational Psychologists
Work in business and industry, attempt to improve productivity, may develop employee selection programs, work with advertisers, study consumer behavior, or design equipment
Psychometric Psychologists
Specialize in the measurement of behavior, particularly skilled at using statistical procedures to develop reliable and valid tests
Gestalt psychology
The whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts. Attempts to explain how we perceive and process information
Descriptive research methods
Research methods that yield descriptions rather than explanations… they do NOT explain WHY
Population
The larger group of people from which your samples are drawn
Confounding variables
Any variables besides the independent variable that could influence the results of your study
What must all subjects have?
All subjects must have an equal chance of being in the control or experimental group
Human Research Guidelines
- Coercion - participation must be voluntary
- Participants must know they are involved and give their consent
- Confidentiality and anonymity
- No mental or physical risk
- People must be told the purpose of the study
IV
The variable being controlled in the problem
DV
The variable that changes because of the control of the IV
