Introduction To Psychology Flashcards
What is a behaviour?
Any observable action made by a living person or animal
Who founded Structuralism and what is the theory?
(Wundt 1900) focussed on the structure of consciousness; how parts are organised and how they are interrelated. Broke down consciousness into thoughts, feelings, sights, sounds and other sensations.
Who founded Functionalism and what is the theory?
(James 1890) Thought consciousness could not be broken down into parts. It’s constantly changing, many influences from the outside
Who founded Psychoanalysis and what is the theory?
(Freud 1920) Believed early childhood experiences are important in development of our personality and behaviour. He believed you suppress access to your unconscious thoughts.
Who founded Humanism and what is the theory?
(Rangers 1960) No such thing as good an evil. People are always good but can makes bad choices. Everyone has free will and the community should help others
What is the biological perspective?
The biological perspective focuses on how structures such as the brain and nervous, endocrine, immune system and genes impact on mental process and behaviour.
What is the cognitive perspective?
Focuses on how we acquire, process, remember and use information about ourselves and the world around us.
What is the behavioural perspective?
Focuses on how behaviour is acquired or modified by environmental consequences such as rewards and punishments.
What are the key concepts for the biological perspective?
Hemispheric specialisation: refers to the control of distinct neurological functions by the right and left hemispheres of the brain.
Visual pathway: info in the visual field is processed in both halves of each eye, then goes to the brain.
What are the key concepts of the behavioural perspective?
Positive reinforcement: addition of reward following a desired behaviour (applause).
Negative reinforcement: when something already present is taken away (no applause).
Punishment: a reaction that will cause the participant to feel guilt; as a result they will be less likely to continue the behaviour.
What is the key concept of the cognitive perspective?
Serial position effect: that the order of presentation of info affects the quantity of recall.
Primacy effect: Linked to long term memory
Recency effect: linked to short term memory
What is the socio-cultural perspective?
States that social or cultural forces impact on a persons feelings, beliefs and behaviours.
What are the key concepts of the socio-cultural perspective?
Conceptual priming: being cued or reminded of an idea/ characteristic that might influence your next behaviour
What is a mental process?
Cognitive, attention, language use, perception, problem solving, creativity, thinking, reason and logic.
