Psychology Exam 1 Flashcards
What is psychological science?
Study, through research, of mind, brain, and behavior
Psychological science encompasses various methods and approaches to understand human thought and action.
Define ‘mind’ in the context of psychological science.
Mental activity, resulting from biochemical processes within the brain
The mind is often seen as the source of thoughts, emotions, and consciousness.
What is the brain?
The noodly sheet in your skull
The brain is the physical organ responsible for processing information and controlling behavior.
What is behavior?
Totality of observable human (or animal) actions
Behavior includes all actions that can be seen and measured.
What is the purpose of psychological science?
Teaches critical thinking by systematically questioning and evaluating information using well-supported evidence
This approach helps prevent erroneous conclusions.
True or False: Noncritical thinking can lead to erroneous conclusions.
True
Noncritical thinking can ignore evidence, see non-existing causal relationships, and accept after-the-fact explanations.
What is distributed practice?
Learning material in several bursts over time
This method is more effective than cramming for long-term retention.
Define retrieval-based learning.
Learning new information by repeatedly recalling it from memory
This technique enhances memory retention.
What is elaborative interrogation?
Asking yourself why a fact is true or why a process operates the way it does
This promotes deeper understanding of the material.
What does self-explanation involve?
Reflecting on your learning process and trying to make sense of new material in your own words
This encourages personal engagement with the content.
What is interleaved practice?
Switching between topics during studying
This approach can enhance learning by promoting connections between concepts.
What is the Dunning-Kruger effect?
People are often blissfully unaware of their weaknesses because they do not assess themselves objectively
This cognitive bias affects self-awareness and self-assessment.
What historical origin did psychology have?
Psychology originated in philosophy
Early philosophers speculated about human behavior and mind.
What is the mind/body problem?
Are mind and body separate and distinct, or is the mind simply the brain’s subjective experience?
This question has been debated throughout the history of psychology.
What is culture in psychology?
Beliefs, values, rules, and customs within a group of people who share common language and environment
Culture significantly influences psychological processes.
What is the nature/nurture debate?
To what degree are psychological characteristics innate or acquired through education, experience, and culture?
This debate is central to understanding human behavior.
Who argued that psychology should be a distinct science in the early 1800s?
John Stuart Mill
Mill emphasized observation and experimentation in psychological study.
Who is known as the father of experimental psychology?
Wilhelm Wundt
Wundt established the first research lab to study mental processes.
What is functionalism in psychology?
Concerned with the adaptive purpose or function of mind and behavior
Functionalism views mental processes in terms of their role in helping individuals adapt to their environment.
What does the term ‘stream of consciousness’ refer to?
William James’ description of each person’s continuous series of ever-changing thoughts
This concept illustrates the dynamic nature of human thought.
What are the primary areas of focus in clinical psychology?
Seeks to understand, characterize, and treat mental illness
Clinical psychologists work with individuals experiencing psychological distress.
What does cognitive psychology aim to understand?
The underlying mental processes associated with behavior
Cognitive psychologists study how people think, learn, and remember.
What is the focus of cultural psychology?
How cultural and social factors may influence mental life and behavior
Cultural psychologists examine the impact of culture on psychological processes.
What does developmental psychology study?
Cognitive, biological, and social changes of individuals over the lifespan
Developmental psychologists look at how people grow and change from infancy to old age.
