Psychology 121 Chapter 1 Flashcards
Psychology
The discipline concerned with behavior and mental processes and how they are affected by an organisms physical, mental, and external environment
Scientific Method
- Set up of steps used to analyze and solve problems-Uses objectively collected information -Basis for drawing conclusions about behaviors
Behavior
The observable actions by which an organism adjusts to it's environment - Outer sign of inner reality
Psychobabble
Tends to confirm unsupported popular opinion
Pseudoscience
Promises easy fixes to psychological and scientific sounding language. Promises easy fixes to lifes problems.
Emperical
-Approach makes use of research- evidence challenges opinion -Relying on or derived from observation, experimentation, or measurement
Goals of Psychology
- Describing what happens- Explaining what happens-Predticting what will happen-Controlling what happens
Critical Thinking
The ability and willingness to access claims and make objective judgements on the basis of well supported reasons and evidence RATHER THAN emotion or anecdote
Critical Thinking Guidelines
1. Ask Questions2. Define your terms 3. Examine Evidence 4. Analyze Assumptions and Biases5. Avoid emotional reasoning 6. Don't over simplify 7. Consider other interpretations 8. Tolerate Uncertainty
Occums Razor
The Principle of choosing the solution that accounts for most evidence while making the fewest unverified assumptions
Phrenology
Theory that different brain areas account for character and personality traits which can me " read " from bumps on the skull
Structuralism
Emphasized the analysis of immediate experience into basic elements. Emphasizes the " what " of mental behavior. Basic elements of sensation reveal the underlying structure of the mind
William Wundt
created the theory of structuralism. In 1879 he opened the first experiment lab in psychology. Creator of Modern Psychology
Functionalism
Emphasized the function or purpose of behavior and consciousness. Asks "how?" and "why?" something happens.
William James
Created the theory Functionalism.
Psychoanalysis
Emphasizes the unconscious motives and conflicts
Sigmund Freud
Created the theory of personality and a method of psychotherapy
Modern Psychology
Psychologists examine both structure and function of behavior
Perspectives of Modern Psychology
Psychodynamic, Behaviorist, Humanistic, Cognitive, Biological, Evolutionary, Sociocultural
Biological Perspective
A psychological approach that emphasizes bodily events and changes associated with actions, feelings, and thoughts
Learning Perspective
A psychological approach that emphasizes how the environment and experience affect a persons or animals actions, it includes behaviourism, and social-cognitive learning theories
Evolutionary Psychology
( Biological Perspective) A field of psychology emphasizing evolutionary mechanisms that may help explain human commonalities in cognition, development, emotion, social practices, and other areas of behavior
Behaviorism
( Learning Perspective) An approach to psychology that emphasizes the study of observable behavior and the role of the environment and prior experience as determinants of behavior
Cognitive Perspective
A psychological approach that emphasizes mental processes in perception, memory, language, problem solving, and other areas of behavior.
Sociocultural Perspective
A psychological approach that emphasizes social and cultural influences on behavior
Psychodynamic Perspective
A psychological approach that emphasizes unconscious dynamics, within the individual, such as inner forces, conflicts, or the movement of instinctual energy
Humanistic Psychology
A psychological approach that emphasizes personal growth, and the achievement of human potential rather than the scientific understanding and assessment of behavior
Feministic Psychology
A psychological approach that analyzes the influence of social inequities or gender relations and on the behavior of the two sides.
Basic Psychology
" Pure" research conducted to seek knowledge for it's own sake
Applied Psychology
Finds practical uses for knowledge gained from research. The study of psychological issues that have direct, practical significance, also the application of psychological findings
Experimental Psychologists
conduct laboratory studies of learning, motivation, emotion, sensation, and perception, physiology, and cognition
Developmental Psychologists
Study how people change and grow over time - physically, mentally, and socially
Industrial /Organizational Psychologists
Study behavior in the workplace. Concerned with group decision making, employee morale, work motivation, job stress, marketing strategies
Psychometric Psychologists
Design and evaluate tests of mental abilities, aptitudes, interests, and personality,
Educational Psychologists
Study psychological principles that explain learning, and search for ways to improve educational systems. Their interests range from the application of findings on memory and thinking, to the use of rewards to encourage achievement
Psychotherapist
Unregulated person who does any sort of psychotherapy
Psychoanalyst
A person who practices psychoanalysis, has obtained specialized training at a psychiatric institute, and has undergone extensive psychoanalysis personally
Psychiatrist
A medical doctor, MD, who has completed a five year residency in psychiatry to learn how to diagnose, and treat mental disorders under the supervision of more experienced physicians
Clinical Psychologist
Diagnoses, treats, and or studies mental and emotional problems, both mild and severe, has a PhD, an EdD, or a PsyD.
Types of Psychotherapists
Psychotherapist, Clinical Psychologist, Psychoanalyst, Psychiatrist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker.