TOPIC 1: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSCHOLOGY Flashcards
evidence from evolution
- brain consumes much of the body energy resources
- brain is active even during sleep
- unlikely that a 90% useless brain would have evolved
evidence from development
- without activation in childhood, neural pathways atrophy and brain cells degenerate
- unused brain areas would later degenerate
evidence from modern brain imaging
- difference behaviours activate different parts of the brain
- many activities use several brain regions simultaneuosly
what is psychology
earliest definition was the study of the mind
structuralism
- what are the elements of conscious process
- how are they connected
- what are the laws of connection
introspection
analysis of ones own conscious experience
functionalism
- what is the purpose of consciousness
- how are particular mental processes adaptive
- how to do people change and adapt to their environment
psychodynamic approach
- how do dynamic psychological forces affect human motion and behaviour?
- how can psychological disorder be treated
psychotherapy
emphasized the influence of unconscious mental forces
behaviouralism
- what observable behaviours can be studied
- how are they learned
- how are they modified by the environment
gestalt psychology
-how are cognitive processes organized
doctrine
whole is different then the sum of the parts
William James
(1907) wrote: “We are making use of only a small part of our possible mental and physical resources” (p.322-323)–but didn’t mention the brain
Karl Lashley
(1935) showed that removing some of a rat’s cerebral cortex did not affect certain types of learning–but was that tissue useless?
Wilhelm Wundt
(b.1832-d.1920) founded first psychology lab at University of Leipzig in 1879
James mark Baldwin
(b.1861-d.1934) established first psychological lab in British Empire at U of Toronto in 1889
Edward Titchener
(b.1867-d.1927) relied onintrospection: analysis of one’s own conscious experience
William James
(b.1842-d.1910) worked at Harvard University; wrote influential,The Principles of Psychology(1890)
Mary whiten calkins
(b.1863-d.1930) became first woman president of the APA (American Psychological Association) in 1905
sigmund frued
(b.1856-d.1939), neurologist; developedpsychoanalytictheory (umbrella term) and psychotherapy.
C.G jung
(b.1875-d.1961) extended psychodynamics; proposed all human beings share a “collective unconscious” that stores the symbols and archetypes shared by all people
J.B Watson
(b.1878-d.1958) shifted study of mind to study of behaviour
B.F skinner
(b.1904-d.1990): we are controlled by our environment, not by free will
Max Wertheimer
- doctrine: whole is different than the sum of the parts.
- founded gestalt psychology
humanistic psychology
- how can we discover and nurture an individuals potential for growth?
- what makes a person unique.
- carl rogers and Abraham Maslow worked in humanistic psychology.
carl rogers
(b.1902-d.1987) developed nondirective client-centered therapy
Abraham Maslow
- Abraham Maslow (b.1908-d.1970) focused on potential for self-actualization. Means what is your potential.
cognitive psychology
- How does the mind organize and process information ?
- What is the relationship between cognition and behaviors?
- George Miller (b.1920-d.2012) founded Center for Cognitive Studies at Harvard U in 1960
- Ulric Neisser (b.1928-d.2012) wroteCognitive Psychologyin 1967.
biological approach
- What is the relationship between brain structures and psychological functions?
- How does evolution influence behavior?
- Donald Hebb (b.1904-d.1985) developed connectionism: insightful theory of neurological functioning via neural networks
- Leda Cosmides (b.1957) helped pioneerevolutionary psychology: views the mind as a set of adaptive mechanisms.
Donald Hebb
(b.1904-d.1985) developed connectionism: insightful theory of neurological functioning via neural networks
leda cosmides
(b.1957) helped pioneerevolutionary psychology: views the mind as a set of adaptive mechanisms.
the types of research
- basic research: intended to add to our knowledge
* applied research: designed to solve a practical problem
experimental psychology
- behavioural genetics
- cognitive neuroscience
- sensation and perception
- behaviour analysis
- human factors and ergonomics
-social psychology
positive psychology
Professional psychology
- clinical psychology
- counselling psychology
- educational/school psychology
- industrial/ organizational psychology
cognitive neuroscience
Which brain structures underlie specific behaviors?
What are the effects of the drug ecstasy on the brain
sensation and perception
How do we extract information from energy in the world?
Why do some people hear colors or taste shapes?
cognitive psychology
How does the mind process information?
What is the best way for you to learn and remember information for an exam?
human factors and ergonomics
How does psychology relate to design and everyday things?
What’s worse, drinking and driving, or using a cell phone and driving?
social psychology
How do we influence and interact with one another?
How much of your feelings and attitudes do you express in your body language?
positive psychology
What things lead to strength of character, optimism, and health?
How can you lead a happier life?
Lightner Witmer
(b.1867-d.1956) established the first psychological clinic in 1896; introduced the term “clinical psychology” in 1907
clinical psychology
How can we learn about, diagnose, and treat people who have major problems coping with everyday life, or a psychological disorder?
counselling psychology
How can we help people overcome less severe difficulties in one aspect of their lives (e.g., family or marriage)?
e.g., in family or married life
educational/school psychology
How can we help children who have difficulties in school?
What’s the best way to do standardized testing?
What is appropriate curriculum for a particular grade/age?
industrial/ organizational psychology
What candidates are the best fit for a job?
How should a company’s organizational structure be designed?
psychology is empirical
It is based on empirical evidence (observation and experimentation), and adapts as new data is collected.
Reciprocal determinism
psychology affects society, but is also affected by society
When was homosexuality no longer classified as a psychological disorder?
how to become a chartered psychologist
- complete Bachelor’s degree (4 years)
- take GRE (Graduate Records Exam) General Test and apply to graduate school
» GRE General Test does not include any psychology content - earn Master’s or Ph.D. degree in psychology or related field, or Psy.D. (2+ years)
- practice for 1,600 hours under supervision of chartered psychologist
- pass written and oral exams
- register with provincial regulating body, College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP):
• sets standards (e.g., Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics)
• monitors/regulates practice
• licenses psychologists (a.k.a. registered or chartered)
- take GRE (Graduate Records Exam) General Test and apply to graduate school
how to become a psychiatrist
- take relevant courses and complete Bachelor’s degree (2+ years)
- take MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) and apply to medical school
» MCAT includes a section on psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior - earn M.D. (3 or 4 years)
- become a resident in psychiatry (5 years)
- pass certification exams
- become registered member of College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA):
• administers standards of practice and conduct
• resolves complaints
• licenses physicians
- take MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) and apply to medical school
multiple levels of analysis are required for explanations
- what are the multiple causes of a given behaviour
- understand the influence of psychological, biological, social, and environmental has on behaviour and mental processes.
The SQ4R Study Method
Survey: skim through chapter
Question: what’s the point of each section? Read: in the proper environment Recite: make active notes in your own words Relate: associate new information to what you already know Review: concentrate on problem areas
two guys involved in cognitive psychology
George Miller and ulric neisser
