Key Words/Concepts & Definitions

Question 1

What is psychology?

Answer 1

The scientific study of behaviour and the mind

Question 2

What is behaviour?

Answer 2

Actions and responses that we can directly observe

Question 3

What is the mind?

Answer 3

Internal states and processes (e.g. thoughts and feelings) that cannot be seen directly and that must be inferred from observable, measurable responses

Question 4

What is a social construct?

Answer 4

A collection of characteristics and traits that are so often presented in society that their origins are lost in time and never questioned

Question 5

What is basic research?

Answer 5

Research that reflects the quest for knowledge purely for its own sake

Question 6

What is applied research?

Answer 6

Research that is designed to solve specific, practical problems

Question 7

What is biology?

Answer 7

The scientific study of life processes and biological structures

Question 8

What is anthropology?

Answer 8

The scientific study of cultural origins, evolution and variations

Question 9

What is sociology?

Answer 9

The scientific study of human social relations and systems

Question 10

What is computer science?

Answer 10

The scientific study of information processing and manipulations of data

Question 11

What is medicine?

Answer 11

The scientific study of health and the causes and treatment of diseases

Question 12

What are hormones?

Answer 12

Chemicals released by glands in the body

Question 13

What are mind-body interaactions?

Answer 13

The relations between mental processes in te brain and the functioning of other bodily systems

Question 14

What is mind-body dualism?

Answer 14

The belief that the mind is a spiritual entity not subject to physical laws that govern the body

Question 15

What is monism?

Answer 15

The belief that mind and body are one and that the mind is not a separate spiritual entity

Question 16

What is empiricism?

Answer 16

All ideas and knowledge are gained empirically (through the senses)

Question 17

What is physiology?

Answer 17

An area of biology that examines bodily functioning

Question 18

What is psychophysics?

Answer 18

The study of how psychologically experienced sensations depend on the characteristics of physical stimuli

Question 19

What is structuralism?

Answer 19

The analysis of the mind in terms of its basic elements

Question 20

What is functionalism?

Answer 20

The belief that psychology should study the functions of consciousness rather than its structure

Question 21

What is the psychodynamic perspective?

Answer 21

Searches for the causes of behaviour within the inner workings of our personality (our unique pattern of traits, emotions and motives), emphasising the role of unconcious processes

Question 22

What are phobias?

Answer 22

Intense unrealistic fears

Question 23

What is free association?

Answer 23

A technique by which patients expressed any thoughts that came to mind

Question 24

What is psychoanalysis?

Answer 24

The analysis of internal and primarily unconscious psyhological forces

A theory and form of psychotherapy

Question 25

What are defence mechanisms?

Answer 25

Psychological techniques that help us cope with anxiety and the pain of traumatic experiences

Question 26

What are object relations theories?

Answer 26

Focus on how early experiences with caregivers shape the views that people form of themselves and others

Question 27

What is the bevavioural perspective?

Answer 27

Focuses on the role of the external environment in governing our actions

Question 28

What is behaviourism?

Answer 28

A school of thought that emphasises environmental control of behaviour through learning

Question 29

What is behaviour modification?

Answer 29

Techniques aimed at decreasing problem behaviours and increasing positive behaviours bby manipulating environmental factors

Question 30

What is cognitive behaviourism?

Answer 30

Proposes that learning experiences and the environment influence our expectations and other thoughts, and in turn our thoughts influene how we behave

Question 31

What is the humanistic perspective (or humanism)?

Answer 31

Emphasised free will, personal growth and the attempt to find meaning in one's existence

Question 32

What is self-actualisation?

Answer 32

The reaching of one's individual potential

Question 33

What is belongingness according to Maslow (1954)?

Answer 33

Our basic human need for social acceptance and companionship