Test 1 - 'What is Psychology' Flashcards
Charles Darwin Theory
Charles Darwin suggested that many species, including humans, evolved through a process of survival of the fittest. He called this natural selection, where animals that were adapted to changes in their environment were strong.
Darwin and Ekman - Facial expressions
They believed that facial expressions were universally recognised across many cultures and that showing emotions were important in the survival of the human species.
Why is psychology a science?
- Follows a scientific method
- Relies on facts and evidence to back up ideas
- Articles are publishes in journals that are carefully reviewed by scientists. Then the media may publish the research.
Forensic Psychologist
Work in criminal, civil and family legal areas and provide services to criminals, victims, justice personnel and police.
Health psychologist
Works within the health-care system and promote the prevention and treatment of illness.
Organisational psychologist
Generally specialise in the areas of employment, human resource management, training and development, market research and advertising.
Sport Psychologist
Assist individuals and teams involved in professional and amateur sports to maximise their performance and achieve their goals.
Clinical neuropsychologist
Assess, monitor and manage individuals with brain impairments. Provide detailed assessments and conduct thorough non-drug-based tests.
Clinical psychologist
Assess, diagnose and treat psychological problems and mental illness.
Counselling psychologist
Assist individuals, couples, families and groups with relationships, well-being, work, recreation, health and crisis management.
Community psychologist
Work with community members and government organisations to address individual, social, political and environmental factors that impact on the psychological well-being of communities.
Educational and educational psychologist
Are concerned with how people develop and learn through their lives.
Trephination
Trephination was used to treat and manage conditions such as headaches, epilepsy and psychosis. The treatment involved making a surgical hole in a person skull while the patient was awake. This would supposedly allow all the healing spirit in and evil spirit out.
Lobotomy
A lobotomy is a surgical procedure where nerves are cut in the frontal lobe to deal with the ‘excessive emotions’ thought to cause mental illness. This procedure was then changed and Freeman used an instrument called the ‘ice-pick’. This was inserted into the inner eye socket, then the other end was hit until the sharp end penetrated the bone. Lobotomies were performed for symptoms such as tension, anxiety, depression, delusions, hallucinations, obsessions, nervous indigestion and suicidal ideas.
Convulsive shock therapy
Convulsive shock therapy was originally used on pigs just before they were slaughtered. This meant they were unconscious and couldn’t feel any pain. Medical practitioners were inspired by the convulsive shock therapy and so they applied it to patients. Shock therapy was used to induce brain seizures which would then provide relief for people that suffered from psychiatric illnesses.
Psychologist
- Qualified therapist who can treat mental and personality problems with non-medical procedures.
- Supervised 2 years
- Can assess developmental progress, and personal and community health.
- Unable to prescribe medication
- Need to complete a four year undergraduate degree and a two-year master’s degree.
Psychiatrist
- Need to complete a six year medical degree
- Able to prescribe medication
- Qualified medical practitioner who can perform medical procedures such as ECT.
- Supervised for 5 years.
Psychology
Psychology is a science that studies behaviour and mental processes of human beings.
The word psychology comes from two Greek words: psyche which means ‘mind’ or ‘soul’, and -logos which means ‘the study of’.
Why are animals used in psychological research?
They use animals because it would be too invasive to do on a human. They are also restricted because of the ethics involved.
Pseudoscience
Pseudo-sciences are systems or methods that can try to explain human behaviour in non-scientific ways. They are often called false or fake sciences.
Barnum/ Forer effect
The Forer/Barnum effect enables pseudo-sciences to still exist and keep it popular with so many people. They tell people what they want to hear and they are very generalised so they can seem relatable.
Biological approach
It explains a person’s functioning in terms of bodily structures, biochemical processes and genetics. It explores human behaviour through invasive techniques and non-invasive techniques.
Physiological approach
Direct manipulation of the nervous system. It can include surgery, electrical simulation on neural ears, etc.
Neuropsychology approach
Focuses on brain dsyfunction and behavioural problems caused by brain damage in humans.
Psychopharmacology approach
Focuses on the effect of different drugs on brain activity and behaviour.
Psychophysiology approach
Examines physiological activity and relates it to psychological processes.
Behavioural approach
Only observable stimulus- response connections were studied. It challenged the importance of genetics and heredity in shaping the human mind.
Cognitive approach
Focus on mental processes. It uses the metaphor that the mind is like a computer – the ‘information-processing model’.
Sociocultural approach
A holistic approach that considers the importance of cultural differences, shared beliefs, values, traditions and behaviour patterns of particular groups.
Frontal lobe
Personality, problem solving, decision making
Parietal lobe
perception, object classification
Occipital lobe
visual processing, colour identification
Cerebellum
balance, coordination
Brain stem
regulates body temperature, heart rate and breathing
Temporal lobe
attention, memory, understanding, speech
