What is psychology : week one Flashcards
scientific method
1 - identify the research topic of interest
2 - formulate the hypothesis
3 - select the research method and design the study
4 - collect the data
5 - analyse the data
6 - draw conclusions
7 - report the findings
what is a pseudoscience
a fake science that is based off well established beliefs that have not changed over the centuries
what is psychology
scientific study of behaviour and the mind
behaviour definition
any observable action made by a living person or animal
mind definition
experiences or mental processes that occur within an individual which cannot be directly observed (thoughts, feeling, beliefs)
science definition
the systematic, ordered and planned study of the universe
history of psychology
- written documents date back centuries
(asia - yoga/meditation, africa - personality/mental disorders were based on spiritual beliefs)
what is a psychologist
someone who practises psychology
a psychologist…
- cannot prescribe medication
- minimum of 6 years training
- broad field - work with people with and without mental illness
a psychiatrist…
- can prescribe medication
- minimum of 9 years training (5 years medical degree, 4 years specialisation)
- narrow field - work with people with mental illness
what is clinical psychology
CLINICAL - works with people with mental illness or behaviour disorders
what is educational psychology
EDUCATIONAL - teaching and learning in educational settings
what is sport psychology
SPORT - enhances sporting performance
pseudoscience examples
astrology, clairvoyance, phrenology
do pseudosciences use a scientific method
does not use a scientific method
what is science based on
-observation
-experiments
- recording and analysis of results
who is regarded as the ‘father of modern psychology’
William Wundt, who opened the first psychology lab in Germany in the 1890’s
what is the brain the primary organ for
the brain is the primary organ for cognition and coordination of functioning and behaviour
what can a psychologist do
- teach or lecture
- conduct research
- give evidence in court
- counsel and interview people
- help athletes improve performance
- examine cause and treatments for accidents in the workplace
- assess people with mental illness/psychological disorders
what is cognitive psychology
COGNITIVE - looks through memories and perception
what is counselling psychology
COUNSELLING - life issues such as family, school or marriage problems
what is developmental psychology
DEVELOPMENTAL - psychological development from conception to death
what is forensic psychology
FORENSIC - criminal behaviour
(in prisons or legal situations)
what is health psychology
HEALTH - health issues and diseases
