Psychology Unit 1

Question 1

Define psychology

Answer 1

the scientific study of the mind and behavior

Question 2

define behavior

Answer 2

any directly observable thing that you do

Question 3

What do psychologists want to know?

Answer 3

Why people do the things they do

Question 4

define mental processes

Answer 4

individual thoughts, feelings, memories, sensations, perceptions, that cannot be directly observed

Question 5

Why is psychology considered a science?

Answer 5

1. it follows the empirical method : Data being collected through direct observation or experiments
2. relies on the scientific method

Question 6

define subjective information

Answer 6

feelings

Question 7

define objective information

Answer 7

facts

Question 8

define evolutionary perspective

Answer 8

1. individual thoughts and behaviors are based on what would give them the best chance of survival or reproduction
2. examine human thoughts and actions in terms of natural selection

Question 9

define psychodynamic perspective

Answer 9

1. the reason for anything that an individual does has to do with the past
2. the unconscious mind - a part of our mind that we do not have conscious control over or access to - controls much of our thought and action

Question 10

define behavioral perspective

Answer 10

1. all behavior is learned through the environment, heavily based on observable behaviors and actions
2. focuses on rewards/punishments

Question 11

define cognitive perspective

Answer 11

1. focuses on thinking, or how people use various mental abilities to process information, acquire knowledge, and understand the world
2. how people think, remember, learn, and perceive

Question 12

define humanistic perspective

Answer 12

1. emphasizes the human capacity for choice and growth; positive outlook on people related to their motivation to fulfill their potential
2. focused on a person’s future rather than past

Question 13

define sociocultural perspective

Answer 13

1. look at an individuals behavior based on the influence of the individuals culture
2. how individuals interact with their social and cultural groups, as well as how these groups influence behavior

Question 14

define biological perspective

Answer 14

1. explanation of human behavior solely regarding an individual’s biological process
2. genetics, hormones, neurotransmitters

Question 15

define biopsychosocial perspective

Answer 15

1. combination of biological, psychological, and social factors

Question 16

define ethical guidelines

Answer 16

ethics refers to the corrects rules of conduct necessary when carrying out research; we have a moral responsibility to protect research participants

Question 17

what are the 4 steps to following ethical guidelines

Answer 17

1. informed consent
2. the right to be protected from harm and discomfort
3. the right to confidentiality
4. the right to debriefing

Question 18

define case study

Answer 18

1. in depth investigations of a single person, group, event, or community
2. data is gathered from a variety of sources and using different methods
3. long-lasting and expensive and applicable to that one person
4. can lead to spin-off studies

Question 19

define naturalistic observation

Answer 19

1. a method that involves observing subjects in their natural environment without intervention
2. people-watching

Question 20

define surveys

Answer 20

1. questions a sample of people to collect information about their attitudes or behavior
2. self-reported

Question 21

define longitudinal study

Answer 21

follows the same group of individuals over a long period of time

Question 22

define cross-sectional study

Answer 22

compares individuals from different age groups at one time

Question 23

define correlational study

Answer 23

1. investigates the degree to which two variables are related
2. correlation is not causation

Question 24

define experiment

Answer 24

1. the researchers manipulate and control certain variables to observe the effect on other variables
2. cause and effect