What is psychology?

Question 1

What is psychology?

Answer 1

Psychology is the study of the mind and behaviour

Question 2

It is the science of behaviour and mental processes. Explain the meaning of behaviour

Answer 2

observable actions of a person or animal.

Question 3

Explain the meaning of mind.

Answer 3

thoughts, feelings, sensations, perceptions, memories, dreams, motives, and other SUBJECTIVE EXPERIENCES.

Question 4

Explain the meaning of science.

Answer 4

an objective way to answer questions based on observable facts/data and well-described methods

Question 5

How are mind and body related? (René Descartes’ view)

Answer 5

• suggested an interactive dualism (viewed the mind and body as interactive machines
• voluntary and involuntary behaviour
• ruled out areas other than the brain for mental functioning

Question 6

How are mind and body related? (John Locke’s view)

Answer 6

• knowledge should be acquired by careful observation.
• NO INNATE IDEAS: all knowledge comes from experience or reflection
• mind is a blank slate written on by experience (tabula rasa)

Question 7

Name 3 people for nature + short description of what they believe. (Nature vs Nurture debate)

Answer 7

PLATO - ideas such as ‘the good’ and ‘beauty’ are inborn.
DESCARTES - some ideas are innate
CHARLES DARWIN - some traits, behaviours, and instincts are part of the nature of species

Question 8

Name 2 people for nurture + short description of what they believe. (Nature vs Nurture debate)

Answer 8

ARISTOTLE - all knowledge comes through the senses
JOHN LOCKE - the mind is a blank slate (blank chalkboard or screen) ‘written on’ by experience

Question 9

What view does the Nature side have?

Answer 9

we share a common origin that gives us an inborn human nature in common.

Question 10

What view does the nurture side have?

Answer 10

we have differences that are shaped by our environment

Question 11

What does the free will approach propose? (Free will vs determinism debate)

Answer 11

Free will - the idea that we are able to have some choice in how we act
- assumes that we are free to choose our behaviour (self determined)

Question 12

What does the determinist approach propose? (Free will vs determinism

Answer 12

Determinist- all behaviour has a cause and is thus predictable
- free will is an illusion, and our behaviour is governed by internal or external forces over which we have no control