Unit 1: History and Methods; Module 1a: Psychology's Timeline

Question 1

Wilhelm Wundt

Answer 1

1879: Wilhelm Wundt sets up the first formal laboratory for research in psychology at the University of Leipzig in Germany and campaigns to establish psychology as an independent discipline

Question 2

Structuralism

Answer 2

Psychology’s first major school of thought. Asserts that the task of psychology is to analyze consciousness into its basic elements

Question 3

William James

Answer 3

1890: formed a school of thought called functionalism; argues that consciousness consists of a continuous flow of thoughts or “stream of consciousness”

Question 4

Functionalism

Answer 4

A school of psychology based on the belief that psychology should investigate the function or purpose of consciousness rather than its structure (William James)

Question 5

G. Stanley Hall

Answer 5

1892: is the driving force behind the American Psychological Association and is elected its first president

Question 6

Ivan Pavlov

Answer 6

1904: Russian Psychologist, shows that dogs can be trained to salivate in response to the stimulus of a tone > shows how stimulus-response bonds can be formed and launches the study of classical conditioning

Question 7

Classical Conditioning

Answer 7

A type of learning in which a neutral stimulus acquired the ability to evoke a response that was originally evoked by another stimulus

Question 8

Behaviourism

Answer 8

A theoretical orientation based on the premise that scientific psychology should study only observable behaviour

Question 9

Applied Psychology

Answer 9

The branch of psychology concerned with everyday, practical problems

Question 10

Psychoanalytic Theory

Answer 10

A theory developed by Sigmund Freud that attempts to explain personality, motivation and mental disorders by focusing on unconscious determinants of behaviour

Question 11

John B. Watson

Answer 11

1913: writes a classic manifesto which asserts that mental processes are not a suitable subject for scientific study because they cannot be observed. Argues that psychology should be redefined as the science of behaviour.

Question 12

Clinical Psychology

Answer 12

The branch of psychology concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders

Question 13

Humanism

Answer 13

A theoretical orientation that emphasized the unique qualities of humans and their potential for personal growth

Question 14

Evolutionary Psychology

Answer 14

A theoretical orientation that examines behavioural processes in terms of their adaptive value for a species over the course of many generations

Question 15

Natural Selection

Answer 15

Principle stating that heritable charachteristics that provide a survival reproductive advantage are more likely than alternative characteristics to be passed on subsequent generations and thus come to be “selected” over time

Question 16

Martin Seligman

Answer 16

Launched the positive psychology movement

Question 17

Positive Psychology

Answer 17

Approach to psychology that uses theory and research to better understand the positive, adaptive, creative and fulfilling aspects of human existence