Intro to Psychology Flashcards
The scientific study of behavior and the
mind.
Psychology:
Actions and responses that we can
DIRECTLY observe.
Behavior:
Internal states and processes (such as
thoughts and feelings) that must be INFERRED
from observable, measurable responses or
behavior.
Mind:
Five Central Goals of Psychology
1.) To describe how people and other species behave.
2.) To understand the causes of these behaviors.
3.) To predict how people and animals will behave under
certain conditions.
4.) To influence behavior through the control of its causes.
5.) To apply psychological knowledge in ways that enhance
human welfare.
Involves taking an active role in understanding the
world around you rather than merely receiving
information.
CRITICAL THINKING
○ It is important to reflect on what the information
means, how it fits with your experiences, and its
implications for your life and society.
○ It also means evaluating the validity of
something presented to you as fact.
CRITICAL THINKING
SUBFIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGY
PSYCHOLOGY AS A BASIC & APPLIED SCIENCE
PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH
PSYCHOLOGY AS A BASIC & APPLIED SCIENCE
Reflects the quest for knowledge purely
for its own sake.
Basic Research
PSYCHOLOGY AS A BASIC & APPLIED SCIENCE:
Designed to solve specific, practical
problems.
Applied Research:
PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH
1.
2.
3.
are keys to scientific attitudes.
Curiosity
Skepticism
Open-mindedness
PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH
1.
2.
3.
are keys to scientific attitudes.
Curiosity
Skepticism
Open-mindedness
Used in everyday life to explain behavior;
hindsight is flawed because there are many possible
explanations and no way to access which is correct.
Hindsight
Psychologists prefer to test their understanding
through ___ ___ ___
Prediction
Control
Theory-building
Levels of Analysis:
Biological
Psychological
Environmental
Level of Brain processes, genetic
influences
Biological level
Level of Thoughts, feelings, and
motives.
Psychological level
Level of Past and current physical
and social environments to which we are
exposed.
Environmental level
Psychology as a Scientific Hub
5 branches
Biology
Medicine
Anthropology
Sociology
Computer Science
Scientific study of health and the causes and treatment of diseases
Medicine