Developmental and Cognitive Psychology Overview

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What are the main differences between psychoanalysis and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in their approaches to mental disorders?

Psychoanalysis focuses on uncovering unconscious processes and childhood experiences, while CBT emphasizes identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.

How did the shift from structuralism to functionalism influence the methods used in psychological research?

The shift encouraged researchers to explore the adaptive functions of mental processes rather than just their basic elements, leading to more experimental approaches.

In what ways did society's changes influence the development of psychological perspectives throughout history?

Societal changes, such as industrialization and wars, shaped the focus of psychology from individual consciousness to broader social and cultural contexts.

What role do ethical considerations play in the research and practice of clinical psychology?

Ethical considerations ensure the protection of participants, the integrity of research, and the provision of responsible care in clinical practices. Signup and view all the answers

Identify two specific disorders that utilize psychopharmacology as a treatment approach and explain why this method is effective.

Anxiety and schizophrenia are two disorders treated with psychopharmacology, as it helps to balance neurotransmitters that influence mood and perception. Signup and view all the answers

What are the key stages of development in Developmental Psychology?

The key stages are prenatal, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and aging. Signup and view all the answers

How does cognitive psychology view memory processing?

Cognitive psychology views memory processing as comprising different models, including sensory, short-term, and long-term memory. Signup and view all the answers

Define the fundamental attribution error in social psychology.

The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to overemphasize personal characteristics and underestimate situational factors when explaining others' behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of reinforcement in behavioral psychology.

Reinforcement is a principle that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated by providing a favorable outcome after the behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of attachment theory in social development?

Attachment theory explains how early relationships with caregivers influence an individual's emotional and social development throughout life. Signup and view all the answers

What does observational learning entail in behavioral psychology?

Observational learning involves acquiring behaviors by watching and imitating others. Signup and view all the answers

How does clinical psychology assess mental health disorders?

Clinical psychology employs diverse assessment methods such as interviews, questionnaires, and psychological testing to evaluate mental health disorders. Signup and view all the answers

What is a cognitive schema, and its relevance in cognitive psychology?

A cognitive schema is a mental framework that organizes knowledge and guides understanding of the world. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Developmental Psychology

Focuses on the predictable changes that occur across the lifespan, examining physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development.
Studies factors influencing these changes, including genetics, environment, and experience.
Key stages include prenatal, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and aging.
Research explores various aspects:
- Cognitive development (e.g., Piaget's stages, information processing)
- Social development (e.g., attachment theory, peer relationships)
- Moral development (e.g., Kohlberg's theory)
- Emotional development (e.g., understanding and expressing emotions)

Cognitive Psychology

Examines mental processes, including learning, memory, attention, problem-solving, and language.
Investigates how these processes work and the structures that support them.
Key concepts include:
- Information processing: Understanding how information is encoded, stored, and retrieved
- Cognitive schemas: Mental frameworks that organize knowledge and guide understanding
- Memory models (e.g., sensory, short-term, long-term) and their limitations.
- Attention and concentration
- Language acquisition and processing

Studies how people think about, influence, and relate to one another.
Focuses on social cognition, attitudes, conformity, obedience, aggression, helping behavior, and prejudice.
Important concepts include:
- Social perception
- Attribution theory: (e.g., fundamental attribution error, actor-observer bias)
- Social influence (e.g., conformity, obedience, group dynamics)
- Interpersonal attraction and relationships
- Prejudice and discrimination (including stereotypes)
- Persuasion and attitude change

Behavioral Psychology

Focuses on observable behaviors and their relationship to environmental stimuli.
Employs principles like classical and operant conditioning to understand and modify behaviors.
Key concepts include:
- Conditioning: Learning through association (classical) or consequences (operant).
- Reinforcement and punishment
- Shaping behaviors
- Observational learning (learning by watching others)
- Stimulus-response connections
- Focus on measurable changes in behavior

Clinical Psychology

Aims to understand, assess, and treat mental health disorders.
Employs diverse assessment methods and therapeutic interventions to promote well-being.
Includes various approaches:
- Psychoanalysis
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Humanistic approaches
- Biological approaches (e.g., psychopharmacology)
- Treatment of specific disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, schizophrenia)
- Diagnosing and classifying mental disorders

History of Psychology

Early schools of thought, including structuralism (focused on breaking down basic elements of consciousness), functionalism (focused on adaptive functions of the mind), and psychoanalysis (focused on unconscious processes).
Key figures and their contributions across the different perspectives (e.g., Wundt, James, Freud, Watson, Skinner)
Evolution of psychological methods (from introspection to experiments)
Influence of other disciplines (e.g., philosophy, biology) on the development of psychology
Growth and diversification of specialties over time
Societal changes and shifts in psychological perspective
Ethical considerations in the field's research and practice.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the fundamental concepts and key stages of developmental and cognitive psychology. This quiz covers the predictable changes across the lifespan, including physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development. Dive into theories that shape our understanding of learning, memory, and emotional growth.