Psychology

Question 1

Psychology

Answer 1

Studies human behavior and how the mind works. Uses research and data to predict behavior or determine why a behavior has occurred. Can predict behavior in individuals, groups, cultures, and even countries. Also helps individual people to understand mental patterns.

Question 2

Methods of Psychological Study

Answer 2

Naturalistic Observation, Survey Method, Case Studies, Experimental Method, Correlational Design

Question 3

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 3

Observe people and their behavior without interfering

Question 4

Survey Method

Answer 4

Surveys are distributed among a wide range of people and the answers are correlated

Question 5

Case Studies

Answer 5

Specific individuals or groups are studied in depth over a long period of time, even years

Question 6

Experimental Method

Answer 6

Uses specific experiments with experimental and control groups to prove or disprove a theory

Question 7

Correlational Design

Answer 7

Studies relationships between variables, like whether one factor causes or influences another

Question 8

Aristotle

Answer 8

Often cited as the founder of psychology. Believed the mind was a part of the body, while the psyche receives knowledge. Felt psychology’s major focus was to uncover the soul. Philosophers and scientists built on his ideas to eventually develop modern psychology.

Question 9

Rene Descartes

Answer 9

Rene Descartes (French Philosopher).States that all humans are born with certain knowledge that they do not need to learn or experience. Believed the body and mind are separate from one another, but affect each other and interact in the pineal gland in the brain. Several theories of Descartes are still studied today.

Question 10

Empiricism

Answer 10

In direct opposition to Nativism, theorizes that all knowledge is acquired through life experience. Mind is blank at the time of birth. Major proponents of the theory were Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, David Hume, and George Berkeley.

Question 11

Johannes P. Muller and Hermann L.F. von Hemholtz

Answer 11

German scientists, conducted studies of sensation and perception. First psychologists to attempt this type of study, showing that it is possibly to study the physical processes that produce mental activity.

Question 12

William James and William Wundt

Answer 12

James founded the first psychology laboratory. Wundt published the first experimental psychology journal. Their work helped make psychology a discipline distance from philosophy. The “introspection” method of psychology grew out of their work.

Question 13

Sigmund Freud

Answer 13

Austrian doctor, developed theories on human mental processes and behavior. Believed the subconscious holds repressed experiences and feelings that drive behavior, without the individual being aware of it. These subconscious ideas could drive personality disorders and other problems. Developed psychoanalysis to help discover these hidden motivations.

Question 14

Psychoanalytic Theory

Answer 14

Proposed 3 Major Components of one’s psychological makeup:
Id - driven by instinct and basic desires
Ego - most conscious and producing self awareness
Superego - strives for perfection and appropriate behavior
The ego acts as mediator between the id and superego, which are in opposition to each other.

Question 15

Carl Jung

Answer 15

Student of Freud. Interested in both Eastern and Western philosophy, incorporated both into his work. Developed theories of extroversion and introversion, and proposed the ideas of the collective unconsciousness, and the occurrence of synchronicity.

Question 16

Behaviorism

Answer 16

John B Watson (Little Albert). American. Theorized that growth, learning, and training would dominate the influence of any inborn tendencies. Believed any person could learn anything with sufficient training and experience.

Question 17

Ivan Pavlov and BF Skinner

Answer 17

Built on the theories of John B. Watson. A counter to the introspective method. Searched for connections between outside stimuli and behavioral patterns, believed environment impacts individual behavior.

Question 18

Pavlov’s Experiment

Answer 18

Proved the existence of conditioned response. Famous experiment caused dog’s to salivate at the sound of the bell.

Question 19

Skinner Box

Answer 19

Used to develop and study the concept of conditioned response in rats.

Question 20

Gestalt Psychology

Answer 20

Max Wertheimer. Events are not considered individually, but as part of a larger pattern.

Question 21

Social Psychology

Answer 21

The study of how social conditions affect individuals.

Question 22

Modern Psychology

Answer 22

Combines earlier schools of psychology - Freudian, Jungian, behaviorism, cognitive, humanistic, and stimulus - response theories.

Question 23

Developmental Psychology

Answer 23

Divides the human lifespan into stages and describe developmental milestones in each stage. Stages: 
Infancy and childhood
Adolescence
Adulthood
Old Age

Question 24

Infancy and Childhood

Answer 24

Most rapid period of growth and development. Child learns to experience the world, relate to other people, and perform tasks necessary to survive in its society and culture(s). Debate exists regarding what characteristics are innate and what are learned.

Question 25

Adolescence

Answer 25

Shift from childhood to adulthood. Rapid changes and major physical and emotional shifts.

Question 26

Adulthood

Answer 26

Individuals take on new responsibilities, becoming self - sufficient, forming their own families and social networks.

Question 27

Old Age

Answer 27

Priorities shift as one’s children become adults and no longer require support and supervision.

Question 28

Learning (psychological definition)

Answer 28

A permanent change in behavior, divided into 3 categories based on how the change is acquired

Question 29

Classical Conditioning

Answer 29

A specific stimulus is associated with (possibly causes) a specific response through exposure over time

Question 30

Operant Conditioning

Answer 30

A behavior is either punished or rewarded to reinforce or reduce it

Question 31

Social Learning

Answer 31

Learning based on the observation of and modeling of others’ behavior

Question 32

Social Psychology

Answer 32

Studies the ways people interact with one another, and why and how they decide who to interact with. Social behavior is divided into several categories.

Question 33

Social Perception

Answer 33

How we perceive others and their behavior, how we make judgements based on our own experiences and beliefs

Question 34

Personal Relationships

Answer 34

How close relationships develop, for various reasons such as to reproduce and form a family unit

Question 35

Group Behavior

Answer 35

How and why people gather into groups with similar beliefs, needs, or other characteristics. Also studies the ways group behaviors differ from the way individuals would behave alone

Question 36

Attitudes

Answer 36

How an individual’s attitudes towards others develop over time, based on one’s history, experience, knowledge, and other factors. Some attitudes change over time and others become deeply ingrained, like certain prejudices.