Lecture 1 Flashcards
Remember facts
Definition of Psychology
The science of behaviour and mental processes
What is the science of mental processes and how does behaviour correlate?
Mental processes i.e thinking, remembering, feeling and behaviour is a result of the interactions between such processes.
Why are psychologists considered scientific practitioners?
Must employ set methods for ascertaining the truth (tangible evidence);
- Perform controlled experiments and repeat the original method, then subsequently obtain the same results.
How, when and from whom did the notion of psychological questions stem from?
When: Early philosophy (300BC)
From Whom: Plato and Aristotle
How: Wrote about subject s like attitudes, sensations, perception and memory. Asked questions like “what is the nature of the mind and body?” “born with an amount of knowledge or do we learn everything ourselves.
Describe how philosophy transitioned into scientific investigation.
Through Structuralism and Functionalism;
Structuralism (William Wudht): Uncovered the basic elements of consciousness through ‘introspection’.
Functionalism (William James): Thought consciousness is functional and serves a purpose.
How did behaviourism emerge?
The emphasis on introspection (structuralism) shifted into learning of consciousness (functionalism) which led to the study of behaviourism. Different schools of psych then emerged to tackle issues from different perspectives.
Why is a paradigm considered the means to which Psychology moves forward?
Thomas Kuhn (1970) put forth a theory that scientists use paradigms (system of theoretical assumptions) to make sense of their discipline/phenomena. E.g Model/abstract picture of the phenomenon, use metaphors to make sense of things and experiments.
Why does Kuhn argue that psych lacks ‘unified paradigm?’
Because psych is organised into perspectives that have their own unique models, metaphors and methods. Psych lacks a unified accepted methodology. E.g Jungian, Freudian, Behaviourism, Cognitive etc etc.
What is the behaviourist perspective?
Environmental stimuli control our behaviour. That we can be understood without reference to internal states.
What does John Watson argue in order for psych to be ‘objective’.
John Waston 1878 -1958 argue that for psych to become objective, one would have to give up preoccupation with the mind and consciousness.
Distinguish between ‘classical’ and ‘operant’ conditioning in behaviourism.
Classical conditioning (Pavlov) is the association between one or more stimuli which elicits behaviour e.g metal cluttering and association with food (dog). Operant conditioning (Skinner, 1938) is learning behviour through positive reinforcement (rewards) or negative consequences (pain/punishment).
Metaphor that represents the strict behavioursitic approach and why do they think the way they do.
“Humans are mechanistic or machine-like insofar as we show reflexive responses that can be exlicited by external stimuli”. Because behaviourist think the mind is a unknowable black box that cannot be deduced by mere science.
What is the humanistic approach in Psychology?
Focuses on the uniquesness of each individual and that we have an innate tendency/desire to grown towards our highest potential.
How did Abrham Maslow influence the humanistic perspective?
Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) reacted against psychoanalysis and behaviourism - and imposed the notion that our behaviour is more than a product of environment or unresolved childhood conflicts.
How did Carl Rogers influence the humanistic perspective?
Carl Rogers (1902-1987) had an enormous impact on counselling. Emphasised postive aspects of a person, their ideals, goals and very interesting in the underlying meaning that one attributes to their lives (person centred approach).
