Introduction to Psychology Flashcards
What is Psychology?
It is the scientific study of the behavior of individuals and their mental processes
Expagorate on the scientific method part of the definition.
The scientific method consists of a set orderly steps used to analyze and solve problems. It uses objectively collected info as the factual basis for drawing conclusions.
What is Behavior?
It is the means by which an individual adjusts to the environment. It is action. The subject matter of psychology largely focuses on the observable behavior of humans and other species.
Why is looking at the mental process also important?
Many researchers in psychology understand that you cannot understand human actions without understanding the human mental processes.(the workings of the human mind).
What are the Goals of Psychology?
To describe what happens.
To explain what happens.
To predict what will happen.
To control what happens.
Describing what happens/Description.
The first task in psychology is to make accurate observations about behaviors. You can therefore distinguish between atypical and typical behavior.
*Pay close attention to cultural context.
Explanation/Explaining What Happens.
Explanations in Psychology recognize that most behavior is influenced by the combination of factors.
Helps determine why we react or behave the way they do or how certain stimuli affect mental health.
Simply what is causing the observed behavior.
Prediction/Predicting what will happen.
Predictions in Psychology are statements about the likelihood of a behavior will occur. It also predicts consequences of behavior(What will happen if l React this way).
Control/Controlling what will happen.
Control means making a behavior happen or not.
What is Structuralism?
It is a school of thought in psychology that attempts to understand human consciousness by examining its underlying components.
