Psychology basics Flashcards
why is psychology interesting?
it tests the obvious to search for the true roots of our behaviors
What did reveal the Solomon Asch experiment?
The power of peer pressure in answering a very easy question
What does misattribution mean?
Making a mistaken assumption as to what caused a feeling
What is psychology?
The scientific study of how we think, feel and behave.
What are the 5 main approaches in psychology?
Biological, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive and humanistic
What is the focus of the biological approach?
It looks at how our nervous system, hormones and genetic makeup affect human behavior
What is the focus of the Psychodynamic approach?
the unconscious mind and the experiences from early childhood (Freud)
What is the focus of the Behavioral approach?
The conditionment produced by the environment and the place of reinforcement and punishment in it. (Skinner)
What is the focus of the Cognitive approach?
on thoughts and feelings in our internal process. (Piaget)
What is the focus of the humanistic approach?
individual’s motivation for flourishing and empowerment
What is the main tool of psychology
the scientific method
What does the scientific method allows for psychologists?
To interpret observable behaviors
How is used the scientific method in psychology?
It compares cause and effect relationship bw 2 different variables and 2 test groups.
What is an independant variable?
A cause
What is a dependent variable
An effect
What is the purpose of a double blind study?
To prevent the researcher from influencing the outcome
What is structuralism?
An approach used by Wilhelm Wundt to establish a series of fundamental relations or structures that could explain all behavior. Mainly in a lab through introspection. (judged to subjective)
What is functionalism?
William James’ approach influenced by Darwin to question why we behave the way we do. It is the study of the evolutionary advantages certain behavior can provide (survival or evolutionary fitness) (forbearer of evolutionary psychology)
What does evolutionary fitness means?
Likelihood to transmit our genes to our children
What is the focus of the Gestalt psychology
Perception and organization (of forms mainly)
In the Gestalt psy what does emergence mean?
our ability to perceive a whole without first noticing its parts
In the Gestalt psy what does reification mean?
refers to the mind’s ability to fill in an implied shape
In the Gestalt psy what does the law of similarity mean?
people tend to group similar items together
In the Gestalt psy what does the law of proximity mean?
people tend to use how close objects are to one another to perceive a larger image
What is the most important assumption in Humanistic psychology?
self-actualization, or the will to be the best that we can be, motivates us
What is the an important focus in Humanistic psychology?
what you think and how it drives you
What is the most important focus in Cognitive psychology?
how you think about yourself and the world around you
What is Cognitive behavioral therapy?
integrates the Cognitive and behavioral approach, teaching patients how to consciously change their cognitive states in order to modify both behavior and mood.
What does Social psychology assess?
how your family and friends influence your attitudes and behavior
What is the an important focus in Developmental psychology?
how you change over your lifetime
What is the an important focus in clinical psychology?
the diagnostic and treatment of mental health
What does the Philip Zimbardo experience teach us?
to respect certain ethics in conducting psychological experiences
What are the main concern of ethics in psychology
minimize harm and produce informed consent
What is tolerated but must be minimized and explained afterward
Deception
Psychologist Stanley Milgram conducted an experiment in which participants were instructed to administer _____ to ‘learners’ in another room.
electric shocks
Forming a hypothesis is the _____ step to the scientific method.
first
