psych test Flashcards
define psychology
The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behaviour in a given context
why is scientific method important in psychology
- helps to standardise the approach to understanding its very different types of information.
- allows psychological data to be replicated and confirmed in many instances, under different circumstances, and by a variety of researchers.
Compare and contrast psychologists and psychiatrists
Psychologists:
- study for four years and do a further two years training
- They cannot prescribe medication
- They look at underlying issues that may be causing or worsening the depression and work with clients to address these.
Psychiatrists:
- study medicine first, then study further five years
- They can prescribe medication
Both:
- They both have the same skills in counselling and talk therapy
who are the five philosophers that contributed to the beginning of psychology
Rene Descartes (1596-1650) William James (1842-1910) Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) Hermann Ebbinghaus (1850-1909)
what did Rene Descartes do
He came to the conclusion that the only thing he could be sure of was that he existed as a thinking thing. He believed the nature of thought itself is the basic upon which existence can be guaranteed was used as the starting point of many questions regarding human thoughts
what did William James do
He was the first to offer a course in psychology at an American University. He broadened the study of psychology to include animal behaviour, religious experience, abnormal behaviour and his views on human consciousness. He regarded consciousness as an ever-changing stream or flow of images and sensations
what did Immanuel Kant
He found the middle ground between realism and idealism. Kant’s theory, which he called ‘transcendental idealism’, stated that there is indeed a real physical world, but humans, may never be able to fully perceive the actual nature of this world
what did Wilhelm Wundt do
He set up the first psychological laboratory to study conscious experience. He wanted to examine how sensations, images and feelings were formed. Over the years, he studied vision, hearing, taste, touch, memory, time perception and many other aspects of consciousness
what did Hermann Ebbinghaus do
He conducted ground-breaking research into memory and the cognitive processes of remembering and forgetting. He established several important principles of memory
List the three significant psychologists
Ivan Pavlov
John. B Watson
Sigmund Freud
what did Ivan pavlov do
He was a Russian physiologist who accidentally discovered classical conditioning. He conducted research which measured the rate of salivation in dogs when different foods were placed in their mouths by connecting a small tube to their mouth
what did John. B Watson do
An American psychologist who did the little albert experiment
what did Sigmund freud do
He believed that mental life is like an iceberg: only a small part is exposed for viewing. He called the area of the mind that lies outside our personal awareness the unconscious
what is counselling
Is concerned with assisting individuals, groups and organisations in areas such as personal wellbeing, relationships, health and crisis
what is Clinical psychology
Is concerned with the assessment and treatment of mental disorders and psychological problems in adults and children
what is forensic psychology
Is involved with applying psychological understandings to the legal and criminal justice system
