History of Psych

Question 1

Define ‘psychological science’

Answer 1

The scientific study of behaviour and mental processes

Question 2

What 3 key aspects define Psychological science?

Answer 2

1. science - making verifiable + objective predictions
2. behaviour - looking at observable acts
3. mental processes - storing/recalling info, feelings + the idea of the mind being implemented in the brain

Question 3

What is Locke’s epistemology? [2 MAIN IDEAS]

Answer 3

• the mind is receptive + passive

- its main goal is to sense + perceive

Question 4

Who focused on philosophy?

Answer 4

GREEKS: Aristotle, Socrates

Question 5

Who focused on physiology?

Answer 5

Helmholtz (focus on testing responses + neural function)

Question 6

Aristotle’s ideas contrast ____?

Answer 6

Plato’s.

Plato believed that knowledge is innate.

Question 7

What does Aristotle’s ‘tabula rasa’ suggest?

Answer 7

• That we are born with no knowledge.
• we acquire knowledge from our experiences in the world
• everything is LEARNT

Question 8

Who believes that explanations need mechanisms?

Answer 8

Helmholtz

Question 9

What are Helmholtz’s main ideas? [2 points]

Answer 9

1. everything can be explained w/ basic physical + chemical principles
2. emphasised the need to test + demonstrate things [bc everything is measurable]

Question 10

To Helmholtz, mental processes are _____?

Answer 10

NOT instant.

Question 11

What is structuralism? [simplified]

Answer 11

Conscious experience can be broken down into basic components

Question 12

What does structuralism (WUNDT) follow?

Answer 12

The idea that:
> basic structures: sensation + perception
> 3 basic mental elements: images, feeling, sensations

Question 13

What does Wundt suggest about introspection?

Answer 13

• systematic examination of subjective mental experiences.

- requiring people to scrutinise and report on the content of their thoughts

Question 14

What are the problems with Introspection?

Answer 14

• too many variables
• not systematic enough
• experience is subjective
• reporting CHANGES the experience

Question 15

What opposes Structuralism?

Answer 15

Functionalism

Question 16

What is functionalism? [simplified]

Answer 16

the study of the function + purpose of behaviour

How the conscious mind AIDS ADAPTATION to environments

Question 17

What does functionalism follow?

Answer 17

• the mind functions, not the elements
  > this determines how mental processes work
  > system as a whole
  > ‘stream of consciousness’ idea

Question 18

How does functionalism also link to Darwin?

Answer 18

Believes that mental abilities evolved because they’re adaptive

Question 19

What opposes functionalism?

Answer 19

Psychodynamic theory (FREUD)

Question 20

Describe Freud’s Psychodynamic Theory?

Answer 20

• a lot of human behaviour is determined by mental processes operating below the level of conscious awareness

Question 21

What does Behaviourism suggest?

Answer 21

That psychology should only study OBSERVABLE BEHAVIOUR.

Question 22

What/who does behaviourism oppose?

Answer 22

Introspection (wundt)

Freud

Question 23

Humanistic psychology suggests what?

Answer 23

• Human nature is good
• we should be the best we can be
• know + accept yourself to achieve FULL POTENTIAL

Question 24

What does Cognitive psych/therapy suggest?

Answer 24

That psych can study hidden mental processes (our minds measure things we’re not always aware of)

Question 25

what does Cog Psych study?

Answer 25

mechanisms: remembering, thinking etc…