Lecture 1 - Introduction to Applied Psychology

Question 1

What does contemporary psychology focus on?

Answer 1

Human behaviour and mental processes - ranging from neurons to culture

Question 2

How does the BPS define psychology?

Answer 2

The scientific study of people, the mind and behaviour - it is a thriving academic discipline and a vital professional practice

Question 3

What is animism?

Answer 3

The belief that inanimate objects are alive/have lifelike characteristics

Question 4

What is animism’s perspective on the mind-body problem?

Answer 4

Believe that the mind and body are the same and that behaviour is attributed to forces beyond the mind

Question 5

What were Descartes ideas of dualism? (the mind-body problem)

Answer 5

The mind and body are two separate entities that interact to form the human experience

Question 6

How does Descartes explain human behaviour?

Answer 6

Human behaviour is explained by the interactions of the incorporeal (non materialistic) mind and mechanistic body - the mind sets humans apart from other beings

Question 7

Ryle (1949) perspective on the mind-body problem (criticism of Descartes)

Answer 7

‘The ghost in the machine’ - if the mind and body were separate it would be hard for them to communicate and so they must be linked

Question 8

What is evolutionary psychology and what theory was it developed from?

Answer 8

Evolutionary Psychology - idea that evolutionary processes have shaped the body and the brain and its psychological mechanisms/behaviour
Developed from Darwin’s theory of natural selection

Question 9

What did freud refer to as “the second biggest blow to the human ego” and why?

Answer 9

the discovery of evolutionary psychology - it contextualised human behaviour and showed that humans are not unique

Question 10

How does structuralism explain the human experience (Wundt)?

Answer 10

The human experience is similar to elements on the periodic table
Structuralism uses introspection to break down the human experience into basic sensations and perceptions through self-observation

Question 11

What caused parallel developments between Europe and the USA?

Answer 11

At the time it was difficult to communicate and so there similar discoveries were being made at similar times with the only differences being slightly different opinions of said discoveries

Question 12

How did Freud use the unconscious mind to explain hysteria/adult personality and behaviour?

Answer 12

Created a theory of personality which focused on the importance of the unconscious mind
Early childhood experiences and unconscious impulses contributed to adult personality and behaviour

Question 13

What is a stream of consciousness according to functionalism? (James)

Answer 13

This means that consciousness is selective and adaptive to the environment (functional)

Question 14

What is behaviourism (Pavlov and Watson)?

Answer 14

A strong, empirical scientific approach that focused on predicting and controlling observable behaviour and ignored introspection

Question 15

What is behaviourism’s perspective on duality (Pavlov and Watson)?

Answer 15

Rejected the idea of duality between the mind and body

Question 16

What are the aims of contemporary psychology?

Answer 16

to notice, describe, explain and influence phenomena (such as beliefs, thoughts, perceptions, feelings etc.)

Question 17

What is the aim of applied psychology?

Answer 17

To address real-world problems through the study of the mind and behaviour

Question 18

What is pragmatism and how does it relate to applied psychology?

Answer 18

Pragmatism states that theories of reality can only be considered true if they work
This underpins applied psychology

Question 19

What is the generation of practice and how does it relate to applied psychology?

Answer 19

The generation of practice values theories based on its practical application
This underpins applied psychology

Question 20

What is the scientist-practitioner model?

Answer 20

Practitioners should focus on how evidence is constructed and be up to date with developments in their field
Practitioners should consider all research, therapeutic practice and a broad view of different psychological perspectives as there isn’t always one ‘best’ practice

Question 21

What is the scientific method? (8 steps and ideal type of theory as an outcome)

Answer 21

1 - identify problem
2- observe it
3- form a hypothesis
4- test the hypothesis
5- analyse results
6- interpret results
7- generate theory
8- publish results
Ideally get a causal or explanatory theory

Question 22

What is the replication crisis?

Answer 22

Many studies, including those that are highly cited, are not replicable

Question 23

What factors decrease reproducibility?

Answer 23

Technical factors, human, factors, study design and statistics, rewards and incentives

Question 24

What is the open science method

Answer 24

Considers newer methods and practices that can improve reproducibility in science

Question 25

What is Freud’s psychodynamic theory?

Answer 25

The idea that behaviour is caused by unconscious drives and patterns that are set in childhood - differentiates structures of the psyche into the ego, id and superego

Question 26

What does contemporary psychodynamic therapy build on ?

Answer 26

Builds on early psychoanalysis and the therapeutic task of encouraging consciousness of defence mechanisms

Question 27

What does behaviourism focus on and what is its opinion on consciousness and behaviour?

Answer 27

Focuses on learning theories
Believes that the mind and consciousness aren’t significant in determining behaviour and that instead conditioning from out environment shapes our behaviour

Question 28

Skinner and Schedules of Reinforcement

Answer 28

“give me a child and I’ll shape him into anything”

Behaviour is shaped through schedules of reinforcement (tested in skinner’s box)

Question 29

Biological explanations for psychological theories

Answer 29

Idea that everything is biological before it is psychological
Reductionist perspective

Question 30

Cognitive Revoution - 1950s

Answer 30

Sees the brain as a machine of information processing (compared to a computer)
Breaks things down into simple processes

Question 31

What is the aim of the developmental approach?

Answer 31

Aims to explain, growth, change and consistency throughout the lifespan and to identify and understand physical, cognitive, emotional and social influences on development across the lifespan

Question 32

What is the Humanistic approach (Carl Rogers)?

Answer 32

Studies the whole person and the uniqueness of each individual - people have an innate tendency towards personal growth and fulfilment

Question 33

Maslow - Hierarchy of needs

Answer 33

There is a hierarchy of needs in which people seek meaning and self-definition - focuses on self-actualisation

Question 34

What is self-actualisation?

Answer 34

The drive and ability to reach our potential as human beings

Question 35

What is the sociocultural approach?

Answer 35

People are defined by the cultures and relationships they are a part of - shapes personal and shared experiencing
Related to norms, values and expectations in various cultures