Psychology Flashcards
Psychology
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.
Methods of Psychological Study
Naturalistic Observation, Survey Method, Case Studies, Experimental Method, Correlational Design
Naturalistic Observation
Observe people and their behavior without interfering
Survey Method
Surveys are distributed among a wide range of people and the answers are correlated
Case Studies
Specific individuals or groups are studied in depth over a long period of time, even years
Experimental Method
Uses specific experiments with experimental and control groups to prove or disprove a theory
Correlational Design
Studies relationships between variables, like whether one factor causes or influences another
Aristotle
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.
Rene Descartes
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.
Empiricism
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.
Johannes P. Muller and Hermann L.F. von Hemholtz
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.
William James and William Wundt
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.
Sigmund Freud
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.
Psychoanalytic Theory
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.
Carl Jung
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.
Behaviorism
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.
Ivan Pavlov and BF Skinner
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.
Pavlov’s Experiment
Proved the existence of conditioned response. Famous experiment caused dog’s to salivate at the sound of the bell.
Skinner Box
Used to develop and study the concept of conditioned response in rats.
Gestalt Psychology
Max Wertheimer. Events are not considered individually, but as part of a larger pattern.
Social Psychology
The study of how social conditions affect individuals.
Modern Psychology
Combines earlier schools of psychology - Freudian, Jungian, behaviorism, cognitive, humanistic, and stimulus - response theories.
Developmental Psychology
Divides the human lifespan into stages and describe developmental milestones in each stage. Stages: Infancy and childhood Adolescence Adulthood Old Age
Infancy and Childhood
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.
Adolescence
Shift from childhood to adulthood. Rapid changes and major physical and emotional shifts.
Adulthood
Individuals take on new responsibilities, becoming self - sufficient, forming their own families and social networks.
Old Age
Priorities shift as one’s children become adults and no longer require support and supervision.
Learning (psychological definition)
A permanent change in behavior, divided into 3 categories based on how the change is acquired
Classical Conditioning
A specific stimulus is associated with (possibly causes) a specific response through exposure over time
Operant Conditioning
A behavior is either punished or rewarded to reinforce or reduce it
Social Learning
Learning based on the observation of and modeling of others’ behavior
Social Psychology
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.
Social Perception
How we perceive others and their behavior, how we make judgements based on our own experiences and beliefs
Personal Relationships
How close relationships develop, for various reasons such as to reproduce and form a family unit
Group Behavior
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
Attitudes
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.
