PSY CHAP 1 Flashcards
What does the term ‘Psyche’ refer to?
Soul (mind, spirit – modern view)
‘Psyche’ is derived from the Greek word ‘psuche’.
What is the definition of psychology?
Scientific study of behavior, mental processes, and brain functions
It leads to a better understanding and appreciation of self and others.
What was the prehistoric view of mental illness?
Shamans treated possessed individuals by driving out demons through rituals
Techniques included exorcism, incantation, and prayers.
What is trephination?
Drilling a small hole in a person’s skull for medical or psychological reasons
Used to heal brain injuries or release spirits.
How did ancient Chinese views on psychological disorders differ from supernatural explanations?
They made connections between bodily organs and emotions
Example: Heart housed the mind; liver held the spiritual soul.
Who is known as the first to write about acrophobia?
Hippocrates
He lived from 460-377 BCE.
What supernatural explanations were attributed to psychological disorders during the medieval period?
Demon possession and witchcraft
Techniques included prodding, float tests, and burning at the stake.
What are asylums?
Facilities for the mentally ill established in the 16th and 17th centuries
Example: St. Mary of Bethlehem in London.
Who pioneered humane therapies in 1783?
Philippe Pinel
He advocated for more humane treatment of the mentally ill.
What is the ‘medical model’ perspective in clinical psychology?
Psychological disorders are viewed as medical conditions needing diagnosis and therapy
Gained prominence in the 1800s.
Who was Emil Kraepelin?
A German psychiatrist who classified and diagnosed psychological disorders in the late 1800s
Introduced terms like dementia praecox, now known as schizophrenia.
What is psychoanalysis?
A clinical approach developed by Sigmund Freud for understanding and treating psychological disorders
Emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind.
What does the DSM stand for?
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
Currently in its 5th edition, it includes diagnoses for over 250 psychological disorders.
What philosophical questions are rooted in psychology?
Nature of the self, effects of early experiences, existence of free will, origin of knowledge
Involves both nature (biological factors) and nurture (environmental factors).
What did Aristotle believe about knowledge?
All knowledge is gained through sensory experience
He lived from 384-322 BCE.
What is the British school of empiricism?
The view that the mind is a ‘blank slate’ at birth
Promoted by John Locke in the 17th century.
What did Hermann von Helmholtz contribute to psychology?
Conducted experiments that showed the mind could be studied scientifically
His studies involved reaction time and sensation.
What is psychophysics?
The study of how people experience physical stimuli
It highlights the difference between perception and physical properties.
Who coined the term psychophysics?
Gustav Fechner
He refined principles laid out by Ernst Weber.
Who is considered the ‘Father of Modern Psychology’?
Wilhelm Wundt
He founded the first psychological laboratory.
What does structuralism focus on?
Breaking the mind into the smallest elements of mental experience
Coined by Edward Titchener.
What is functionalism?
The view that behavior is purposeful and contributes to survival
William James is the most famous proponent.
What does Gestalt psychology emphasize?
The whole is different from the sum of the parts
Key figures include Wolfgang Kohler, Max Wertheimer, and Kurt Kofka.
Who is known for behaviorism?
John B. Watson
He focused on observable behavior and stimulus-response relationships.
