Week 1 Flashcards
Biopychosocial Model
The study of biological processes, psychology and sociocultural factors in one model so that we cover all aspects of explaining human behaviour.
Critical Thinking
Curiosity and Skepticism when evaluating the claims of others, using our own assumptions and beliefs.
Hypothesis
A testable prediction that can be observed and measured.
Pseudoscience
Presented as science but no scientific thinking or testing/procedure.
Example: Astronomy
Psychology
Scientific study of
BEHAVIOUR
THOUGHT
EXPERIENCE
Scientific Literacy
1) Gathering knowledge
2) Explaining it
3) Using critical thinking
4) Applying the info
Scientific Method
Hypothesis Testing Confirm or Reject Make a new hypothesis or modify Confirm and Strengthen Theory Use theory to make a prediction
Theory
Explanation for a broad range of observations.
Used to make new predictions.
Empiricism
Doctrine: Knowledge comes from experience.
Determinism
Doctrine: All events are governed by lawful, cause-and-effect relationships.
Ex: Do we have control over our own actions?
Zeitgeist
General set of beliefs during a particular time in history.
German translation “spirit of the times”
Used to explain why it took 1800’s for psychology to be recognized as a worth while science.
Materialism
Belief that humans and other living things are ONLY composed of physical matter.
No self-conscious, no self-controlling soul.
Dualism
Belief that there are properties of humans that are not material.
Having a mind or soul separate from body.
Psychophysics
Study of the physical world vs. the mental representation of the physical world
1850 GUSTAV FECHNER
Clinical Psychology
Field of Psych that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders.
Phrenology
Belief that mental capacities and personalities could be measured by the contours, bumps and ridges on the surface of the brain
MID 1800’s GALL & SPURZHEIM
Psychoanalysis
Approach that tries to explain how behaviour and personality are influenced by the unconscious processes.
1850-1900 SIGMUND FREUD
Nature vs Nurture
Inquiry into how hereditary (nature) and environment (nurture) influence behaviour and mental processes.
1885 GALTON & eugenics (good genes) belief that only white intelligent gene pools should be procreating.
Structuralism
Attempt to analyze conscious experience by breaking it up into parts and understanding how the parts work together.
1979 WILHELM WUNDT / TITCHENER
Functionalism
Study of purpose and function of behaviour and conscious experience.
Influenced by Darwin’s theory of evolution.
1890 WILLIAM JAMES
Behaviourism
Study of 20th century psychology that only looked at observable behaviour. No mental events or instincts that may influence behaviour.
1900’s TWITMEYER
Humanistic Psychology
Focuses on the unique aspects of each individual human, each person’s freedom to act on his own rationale and the belief that humans are fundamentally different than other animals.
1950 CARL ROGERS / ABRAHAM MASLOW
Cognitive Psychology
Focuses on memory, thinking, language. Rigorous experimentation is needed so we can infer what mental processes are occurring.
Gestalt Psychology
Focuses on the WHOLE of perception and experience rather than it’s parts.
German translation: complete form of an object
Applied Psychology
Using psychological knowledge to address problems and issues in various settings law education business clinical psych
Psychiatry
Branch of medicine that concerns the treatment of mental and behavioural disorders.
A Medical Doctor.
Forensic Psychology
Work in the criminal justice system including interactions with the legal system and it’s professionals.
Think: The Departed lady
School Psychology
Working with students who have special needs
emotional
academic
social problems.
Health Psychology aka Behavioural Medicine
Studying of how individual, biological, environmental factors affect physical health.
I/O Psychology
Industrial / Organizational
Work for a business or organization to improve employee productivity or the organizational structure of the business.
Human Factor Psychology
Study of how people react with physical space or products. Human to computer interaction to develop user friendly interfaces.
