Module 1 (History of Psych)

Question 1

Empirical method

Answer 1

an evidence-based method that draws on observation and experimentation

Question 2

Scientific attitude

Answer 2

-being skeptical but not cynical, open-minded but not gullible
-includes curiosity, skepticism, and humility

Question 3

Skepticism

Answer 3

attitude of having doubt, but being not cynical but not gullible

Question 4

Curiosity

Answer 4

question, does it work?

Question 5

Humility

Answer 5

awareness of our vulnerability to error

Question 6

Critical thinking

Answer 6

-thinking that does not automatically accept arguments/conclusions
-rather it examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions

Question 7

Psychology’s first schools of thought

Answer 7

-structuralism
-functionalism
-behaviorism
-psychoanalytic

Question 8

Structuralism

Answer 8

-an early school of thought promoted by Wundt and Tichner
-used introspection to reveal structure of the human mind
-break things into component parts to understand how these components work together to form more complex experiences

Question 9

Edward Tichner

Answer 9

proponent of structuralism

Question 10

Wilhelm Wundt

Answer 10

-Founder of Structuralism
-created psychology’s first lab was born in 1987 in Germany
-Machine measured how long it took for people to hit telegraph key after hearing ball hit platform (tested time to make decision)

Question 11

Functionalism

Answer 11

-an early school of thought promoted by James and influenced by Darwin
-explored how mental and behavioral processes function (how they enable the organism to adapt, survive, and flourish)
-views mental life and behavior as a way for humans to adapt to their environment

Question 12

William James

Answer 12

-inspired by Darwin
-assumed that functions/behaviors were due to evolution and were adaptive (principles of psychology)

Question 13

Behaviorism

Answer 13

-founded by John Watson
-the view that psychology should be objective science that studies behavior without reference to mental processes
-Most researchers now agree with the idea that it should be objective but not without reference to mental processes
-science rooted in observation
-supported. by B.F. Skinner

Question 14

B.F. Skinner

Answer 14

-behaviorist
-developed theory of operant conditioning from law of effect
-argued human behavior is shaped by environmental consequences and reinforcement

Question 15

Law of Effect

Answer 15

-behaviors followed by a satisfying outcome are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors with negative consequences are less likely to be repeated
-created by Thorndike, further developed by Skinner

Question 16

Psychanalytic (freudian)

Answer 16

-developed by Sigmund Freud
-a historically significant perspective that emphasized human growth potential
-Importance of unconscious
-response to behaviorists (essential to study “unobservable events)
-Needs for love/acceptance and environments that nurture/limit growth

Question 17

Cognitive Psychology

Answer 17

-the study of mental processes involved in perceiving, learning, remembering, thinking, communicating, and solving problems

Question 18

Cognitive Neuroscience

Answer 18

• the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (perception, thinking, memory, and language)

Question 19

Psychology

Answer 19

-the science of behavior and mental processes
-Estimated 1+ million psychologists

Question 20

Nature-Nurture

Answer 20

-longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors
-Nature= genetics
-Nurture= environmental factors
-influenced by Charles Darwin (natural selection)

Question 21

Physiological approach

Answer 21

-studying the body’s physiological processes and how they relate to behavior, perception, and other areas
-ex. look at neurotransmitters/brain activity
-similar to structuralism

Question 22

Behavioral approach

Answer 22

-therapies that aim to change a person’s behavior or thought patterns
-ex. stop behavior through shocks/reinforcement
-similar to behaviorism

Question 23

Cognitive approach

Answer 23

-studies the mental processes that affect behavior and emotions
-ex. focus on thought process/triggers
-similar to psychoanalysis