Midterm 1.3

Question 1

structuralism

Answer 1

one of the first scientific approaches toward understanding human behaviour

took a reductionist approach -> more complex mind aspects could be broken down into more basic elements (similar to chemistry)

focusing on these basic elements would lead to potential upscaling + better understandings of more complex experiences

relies on analytic introspection; participants trained to systemically describe stimuli experiences + report contents objectively

Question 2

Wilhem Wundt and Edward Tichener

Answer 2

Wilheim Wundt established first pyschology lab in Leipzig Germany

Edward Tichener spread Wundt’s ideas

Question 3

Functionalism

Answer 3

concerned with function and purpose rather than structure of behaviour + thought

focuses on how mental +behavioural processes help rather than describing them

influenced Darwin’s theory of evolution and modern evolutionary approaches

William James wrote first pysch textbook

Question 4

psychodynamic perspective

Answer 4

causes of behaviour is understood by looking within an individual

unconscious desires, motives and past conflicts are relevant causal factors

employs free association (saying whatever comes to mind when responding to certain words)

hypothesized defense mechanisms (e.g. repression)

expanded psychological disorder studies/treatments

Sigmund Freud

Question 5

Behavioural perspective

Answer 5

behaviourism -> behaviour should be the research focus since it is what really matters (can be studied objectively, unlike mental events)

behaviour is a product of the environment

altering environment can control behaviour

led to behvaiour modification therapy

John Watson and BF Skinner (everything is secondary to behaviour)