Introduction To Psychology (chapter 1) Flashcards
What is psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour
What are the two categories people who practice psychology can be broken up into?
- Research psychologists
- Psychologist-practitioners
What do Research psychologists use?
Use scientific methods to create new knowledge about causes of behaviour
What do psychologist-practitioners use?
Use existing research to enhance the everyday life of others
What are Empirical methods?
Include the processes of collecting and organizing data and drawing conclusions about those data
What are scientific methods?
Is the set of assumptions, rules, and procedures that scientists use to conduct empirical research
What are values?
Personal statements
What are facts?
Objective statements determined to be accurate through empirical study
What is Levels of explanation? And what are the three levels?
Levels of explanation is the perspectives that are used to understand behaviour
The three levels are:
Lower levels
Middle levels
Higher levels
What are lower levels of explanation?
More closely tied to biological influences, such as genes, neurons, neurotransmitters, and hormones
What are middle levels of explanation?
Refer to the abilities and characteristics of the individual
What are higher levels of explanation?
Relate to social groups, organizations, and cultures
What is the underlying process of lower levels of explanation? What is an example?
Biological
Ex.
- Depression is in part genetically influenced
- Depression is influenced by the action of neurotransmitters in the brain
What is the underlying process of middle levels of explanation? What is an example?
Interpersonal
Ex.
- People who are depressed may interpret the events that occur to them too negatively
- Psychotherapy can be used to help people talk about and combat depression
What is the underlying process of higher levels of explanation? What is an example?
Cultural and social
Ex.
- Women experience more depression than do men
- The prevalence of depression varies across cultures and historical time periods