Questions and Answers
What is psychology?
The science of behavior and mental processes.
What is positive psychology?
A field of research that focuses on people's positive experiences and characteristics, such as happiness, optimism, and resilience.
Describe the field of neuroscience.
The scientific study of all levels of the nervous system, including neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, neurology, and neuropharmacology.
Explain William Wundt's approach to cognitive psychology.
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What is functionalism according to William James?
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Describe Watson's ideas about behaviorism.
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What are the basic ideas of the biological approach?
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How did psychology develop as a science?
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What is the psychodynamic approach?
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What is behavior in the context of psychology?
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What does cognitive psychology focus on?
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How has diversity in psychology changed over time?
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What is the impact of sociocultural diversity on psychology?
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What are descriptive statistics?
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What are inferential statistics?
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How do experiments work in psychology?
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What is a variable in the context of experiments?
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What is a dependent variable?
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What is a random variable?
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Describe the placebo effect.
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Study Notes
Key Concepts in Psychology
- Psychology: The science focused on behavior and mental processes.
- Positive Psychology: Research field studying positive traits and experiences, like happiness and resilience.
Neuroscience and Historical Foundations
- Neuroscience: Examines all levels of the nervous system, encompassing neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, neurology, and neuropharmacology.
- William Wundt: Established the first formal psychology research lab in 1879 in Germany, utilizing laboratory methods to study consciousness and sensory-perceptual systems.
- Functionalism: Proposed by William James, focusing on how mental processes help adapt to the environment through the "stream of consciousness" and decision-making.
Behaviorism and Biological Perspectives
- Behaviorism: Championed by John B. Watson, emphasizes studying observable behavior and learning principles rather than introspection.
- Biological Approach: Suggests behavior and mental processes are influenced by biological factors, studying hormones, genes, and brain activity.
Evolution and Diversity in Psychology
- Development of Psychology: Rooted in philosophy with key contributions from empiricism, marking its evolution as a scientific discipline.
- Psychodynamic Approach: Developed by Freud, it explores the interplay of conscious and unconscious processes that shape thoughts and behaviors.
- Diversity in Psychology: Initially dominated by white men, the field has seen increased participation from women and ethnic minorities, with 60% of psychologists in the U.S. being women.
Statistical Understanding and Research Methods
- Descriptive Statistics: Summarizes research data through numerical values.
- Inferential Statistics: Enables psychologists to make inferences about research implications through mathematical procedures.
Experimental Research Design
- Experimentation: Involves manipulating one variable to observe its effect on another while controlling other variables.
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Variables:
- Independent Variable: The manipulated factor in an experiment.
- Dependent Variable: The factor measured to understand changes due to the independent variable.
- Random Variable: Uncontrolled factors that can influence the dependent variable, potentially confounding results.
Placebo Effect
- Placebo Effect: A phenomenon where a participant experiences improvement from a non-active treatment due to their belief in its efficacy.
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Description
Test your knowledge with flashcards covering key concepts from the first six chapters of General Psychology. This quiz includes essential terms and definitions that are foundational to understanding human behavior and mental processes. Perfect for students or anyone interested in psychology.