Psychology and Its History Flashcards
What is the belief of Socrates and Plato regarding the mind?
The mind is separable from the body and continues after the body dies; knowledge is innate
What did Aristotle argue about the origin of knowledge?
Knowledge comes from observation; knowledge is NOT innate; we need data
Which philosopher agreed with Socrates and Plato and conducted dissections of animals?
René Descartes; he believed fluid in the brain flows through nerves to muscles, causing movement
Who is known as the founder of modern science and developed empiricism?
Francis Bacon
What does empiricism claim about the source of knowledge?
Knowledge originates in experience and that science should rely on observation and experimentation
According to John Locke, what is the state of the mind at birth?
The mind is a blank slate, also known as Tabula Rasa
What does Tabula Rasa mean in relation to John Locke’s view on the mind?
It is the idea that the mind at birth is a blank sheet, shaped by sense impressions and human reasoning
Which psychologist established the first psychology lab and measured “atoms of the mind”?
Wilhelm Wundt
What did Wundt’s experiment reveal about our conscious awareness of sensory stimuli?
It measured the time lag between hearing a ball drop and becoming consciously aware of it, which took 1/10th to 2/10th of a second
Who introduced structuralism and used introspection in psychological research?
Edward Bradford Titchener
How does structuralism approach the study of the mind?
By using introspection to explore the elemental structure of the human mind
What is introspection in psychological research?
A method of self-observation in which participants report their thoughts and feelings
Which naturalist influenced William James and promoted the concept of natural selection?
Charles Darwin; he emphasized adaptive evolution and the survival of traits
Which psychologist introduced functionalism and authored Principles of Psychology?
William James
What does functionalism assume about the purpose of body and mind structures?
It assumes that structures function the way they do for a purpose
Who was the first female president of the APA and a memory researcher?
Mary Whiton Calkins; she was also a student of William James
Which female psychologist was the first to earn a PhD in psychology and wrote The Animal Mind?
Margaret Floy Washburn; she was a student of Edward Titchener
What is the core belief of behaviorism?
Psychology should be an objective science, focusing on observable behavior rather than unseen mental processes
Which psychologist developed psychoanalysis and a personality theory?
Sigmund Freud
What does Freudian psychology emphasize about human behavior?
The influence of unconscious thought processes and emotional responses from childhood experiences
Who were the key figures in humanism, emphasizing personal growth and unconditional love?
Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers
What is the focus of humanism in psychology?
It rejects both behaviorism and psychoanalytic psychology, instead studying potential and personal growth
What does psychology study?
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
What is behavior in the context of psychology?
Observable actions of human beings and nonhuman animals
What are mental processes?
The thoughts, feelings, and motives that are experienced privately but cannot be observed directly
What did Charles Darwin argue about nature versus nurture in his book On the Origin of Species?
Traits and behaviors that provide a survival or reproductive advantage are naturally selected, supporting the nature argument
What does evolutionary psychology study?
The evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection
What does behavior genetics focus on?
The relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior
How do twin studies contribute to understanding nature vs nurture?
They provide evidence to be used in behavior genetics to study the influence of genetic and environmental factors
What is culture in psychological terms?
Beliefs, customs, and traditions of a specific group of people
How does culture impact psychological processes?
It influences perceptions of time, personal space, beliefs about marriage and sex, and emotional displays
How is gender defined in psychology?
The biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female
What are some common gender differences studied in psychology?
How emotions are expressed or detected, what we dream about, and risk for psychological disorders
What are examples of gender similarities?
Age of first steps, how we remember and forget, and overall intelligence and well-being
What does positive psychology focus on?
The scientific study of optimal human functioning; it aims to discover and promote strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive
What is the biopsychosocial approach?
An integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis
How does the behavioral perspective view human behavior?
It focuses on the role of learning in explaining observable behavior
What does the biological perspective emphasize?
The influence of biology on behavior
What does the cognitive perspective focus on?
Mental processes such as perception, memory, language, problem solving, and other areas of behavior
What is cognitive psychology?
The scientific study of all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating
What is cognitive neuroscience?
The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition, including perception, thinking, memory, and language
What does the evolutionary perspective examine?
The biological bases of universal mental characteristics shared by all humans
What does the humanistic perspective assume about human behavior?
It assumes the existence of the self and emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and the freedom to make choices
How does the psychodynamic perspective explain behavior?
It focuses on how behavior springs from unconscious drives and conflicts
What does the social-cultural perspective focus on?
How behavior and thinking vary across situations and cultures
What is the goal of basic research?
Pure science aimed at increasing the scientific knowledge base
What is the purpose of applied research?
To solve practical problems through scientific study
What do psychologists help with?
Guide people toward healthier relationships, help overcome anxiety and depression, and assist with coping with difficulties
Which type of psychologists help people cope with life challenges and give psychological tests?
Counseling psychologists
What do clinical psychologists do?
Assess and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders; provide therapy and counseling; may conduct research
How do clinical psychologists differ from psychiatrists?
Clinical psychologists hold a PhD or PsyD, whereas psychiatrists hold an MD and may prescribe drugs
What do developmental psychologists study?
How behavior changes as we age; they may work in schools, daycare, or senior centers
What do sports psychologists do?
Work with athletes to improve performance and consult for teams and athletes
What do cognitive psychologists study?
Human thinking and problem-solving; they may work as professors or corporate consultants
What do educational psychologists focus on?
How we learn in different environments, working in schools, universities, or designing teacher training
What is the role of school psychologists?
They work with children in schools who are dealing with learning problems
What do social psychologists study?
How we interact with others and how groups influence individual behavior
What type of psychologists conduct experiments to understand behaviors and mental processes?
Experimental psychologists
How do psychometric psychologists contribute to research?
They use math and statistics to create, administer, score, and interpret tests
What do forensic psychologists do?
They combine law and psychology to develop public policy for the mentally ill, consult on jury selection, and help law enforcement
What is the focus of environmental psychologists?
How we are influenced by and affect our natural or built surroundings
What do health psychologists aim to promote?
Health and disease prevention
What do neuropsychologists study?
How the brain impacts behavior and thoughts, and they may treat disorders like ADHD or concussions
What is the role of rehabilitation psychologists?
To help individuals who have lost functioning after an illness or accident regain independence
What do community psychologists focus on?
Working with larger groups and communities, particularly during crises, often in federal mental health departments
