History and Origins of Psychology

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Questions and Answers

Identify the origins of the word psychology (that is, its etymology).

The term psychology is derived from two Greek words: psyche and logos. Psyche translates to "soul" or "mind," while logos refers to "study" or "discourse."

What does psycho-logy literally mean, according to its two parts (that is, psyche andlogia, or psych- and -ology)?

The term literally means "the study of the mind."

Which two disciplines influenced the early history of psychology?

Philosophy and physiology

When did psychology emerge as a distinct research discipline? Who is most associated with the first research lab in psychology?

Psychology emerged as a distinct research discipline in the late 19th century (specifically around the 1870s). The most notable figure associated with establishing the first research laboratory dedicated to psychology is Wilhelm Wundt. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize Wundt's accomplishments and contributions to the field of psychology.

Wilhelm Wundt's contributions include the establishment of psychology as an empirical science distinct from philosophy and physiology. He emphasized experimentation and observation in psychological processes, shaping methods of research in the field. Wundt is best known for advancing introspection as a method for studying the conscious mind, where trained observers reported their Signup and view all the answers

Define and compare structuralism and functionalism.

Structuralism, founded by Wundt, emphasized identifying the basic elements or 'structures' of psychological experience through introspection. It sought to understand the components of consciousness and how they combine to form experiences. In contrast, functionalism emerged as a response, led by figures like William James, and focused on the purpose and function of mental processes in adapting to the environment. Signup and view all the answers

Define introspection as structuralists would have used the term.

For structuralists, introspection involved trained participants systematically reflecting on their conscious experiences in response to stimuli. This technique was intended to reveal the structures of the mind but was criticized for its subjective nature, leading to its decline as a primary research methodology in psychology Signup and view all the answers

Describe James's perspective on psychology and his general contributions to psychology.

William James is often referred to as the father of functionalism and he greatly influenced the development of psychology by emphasizing the importance of studying the purpose of consciousness rather than its structure. He believed that psychology should focus on how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environments, coining the term "stream of consciousness" to describe the continuous flow of thoughts and experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Watson's view of behaviourism. Define behaviour as it is used in this perspective.

John B. Watson founded behaviorism, a school of thought that aimed to define psychology purely as the study of observable behavior. According to Watson, behavior is defined as any overt (observable) response or activity by an organism, including everything from physiological reactions to motor activities. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Watson propose that psychologists abandon the study of consciousness?

Watson proposed that psychologists should abandon the study of consciousness because mental processes are private and cannot be objectively observed. He believed this detracted from the scientific rigor needed in psychological studies Signup and view all the answers

Describe Watson's view of the nature-nurture issue.

Watson argued for a strong environmental perspective, downplaying the role of genetics in behavior development. He believed that behavior is largely molded by the environment, not inherited traits, although he acknowledged that instincts (innate traits) also play a role Signup and view all the answers

Describe Freud's psychoanalytic theory.

Sigmund Freud, an Austrian physician, developed psychoanalytic theory, which remains one of the most influential yet controversial frameworks in psychology. Freud's theory is centered around the idea that human behavior is significantly influenced by the unconscious mind. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Skinner's view of psychology. What did he believe about internal mental events and their role in scientific psychology?

B.F. Skinner, a prominent behaviorist, asserted that psychology should be based solely on observable behaviors and the external factors that influence them. Skinner acknowledged the existence of internal mental events but contended that they should not be the focus of scientific psychology. Signup and view all the answers

What is humanism and humanistic psychology? Why did some psychologists find humanistic psychology more appealing than other perspectives?

Humanism emerged as a psychological perspective that emphasizes the inherent dignity and potential of human beings. Psychologists found humanistic psychology appealing because it offered a more positive and holistic approach to understanding human behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What are the six major contemporary theoretical perspectives in psychology as presented in textbook

The six major contemporary theoretical perspectives in psychology are: Biological Perspective, Learning Perspective, Cognitive Perspective, Psychoanalytic Perspective, Humanistic Perspective, and Sociocultural Perspective. Signup and view all the answers

Define clinical psychology. When did this professional field emerge in North America? What seems to have been the main driver of that emergence?

Clinical psychology focuses on assessing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of psychological disorders and emotional issues. This professional field began to emerge in North America in the late 19th to early 20th century, gaining significant traction following World War II Signup and view all the answers

What is cognition?

Cognition refers to the mental processes involved in gaining knowledge and understanding, encompassing activities such as perception, attention, memory, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making Signup and view all the answers

Which people were important in the development of cognitive psychology?

Jean Piaget, Noam Chomsky, Herbert Simon and Ulric Neisser Signup and view all the answers

Describe the fundamental beliefs shared by cognitive psychologists.

They assert that internal mental processes-such as perception, memory, and problem-solving—are vital for understanding behavior. Cognitive psychologists believe that individuals actively construct their understanding of the world. Knowledge is not simply absorbed; it is built through experiences and cognitive processes Signup and view all the answers

Describe Hebb's contributions to psychology. Define cell assembly.

Donald Hebb was a foundational figure in psychology, particularly known for his work on the relationship between neuroscience and behavior. Hebb defined a cell assembly as a group of neurons that become interconnected through repeated activation, forming a functional unit that can lead to the storage of memories and facilitate behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Define evolutionary psychology. Explain how evolutionary psychology tries to account for a species' behaviour, and for differences in species' abilities or in species' traits—for example, aggressiveness between species or within species over time or in different cohorts.

Evolutionary psychology is a theoretical perspective that examines how evolutionary principles, such as natural selection, shape psychological traits and behaviors. Evolutionary psychologists argue that behaviors, such as aggression or mate selection, can be understood in terms of their evolutionary advantages. Signup and view all the answers

What is positive psychology and what are the main areas of interest in this field?

Positive psychology is a relatively new subfield of psychology that focuses on the study of positive subject experiences, individual traits, and institutions that facilitate well-being. The main areas of interest in this field are: Positive Emotions, Character Strengths, and Positive Institutions. Signup and view all the answers

Define psychology as it is used today.

Psychology is currently defined as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, which includes a diverse range of topics such as emotion, cognition, development, social interactions, and mental health. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the kinds of work that psychologists do in contemporary society, in both professional and research practice.

Psychologists assess and treat mental health disorders through therapeutic techniques; Provide guidance and support for personal and interpersonal issues; Work directly with children and adolescents in educational settings to address learning and behavioral challenges; Apply psychological principles to optimize workplace productivity and employee well-being; Operate within the legal system, addressing psychological issues related to criminal justice; conduct empirical studies in various fields such as cognitive, developmental, social, and health psychology Signup and view all the answers

Contrast professional psychology with academic/research psychology.

Professional Psychology: This branch involves applying psychological principles in a practical manner to assist individuals and groups, often through therapy and direct client interaction. Academic/Research Psychology: In contrast, this area focuses on generating new knowledge through scientific inquiry. Signup and view all the answers

Identify and briefly describe each of the research areas in modern psychology.

Cognitive Psychology: Studies mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving. Developmental Psychology: Examines psychological growth and changes across the human lifespan. Social Psychology: Investigates how individuals are influenced by social contexts and interactions. Clinical Psychology: Focuses on diagnosing and treating psychological disorders. Health Psychology: Explores the psychological aspects of health, illness, and healthcare. Industrial-Organizational Psychology: Applies psychological principles to workplace environments. Neuroscience: Studies the biological bases of behavior and cognitive processes. Evolutionary Psychology: Investigates how evolutionary principles shape psychological traits and behaviors. Positive Psychology: Focuses on strengths, well-being, and factors that contribute to a fulfilling life Signup and view all the answers

Identify and briefly describe each of the main professional psychology specialties.

Clinical Psychology: Involves the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders. Counseling Psychology: Provides support and guidance for personal and interpersonal issues. School Psychology: Addresses learning and behavioral problems in educational settings. Industrial-Organizational Psychology: Improves workplace productivity and employee satisfaction through psychological principles. Forensic Psychology: Applies psychological concepts to legal issues and the criminal justice system. Health Psychology: Studies how psychological factors influence health and healthcare practices Signup and view all the answers

Contrast psychiatry and psychology, especially clinical psychology.

Psychiatry: This is a medical specialty focusing primarily on the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders via medical means, including prescriptions. Clinical Psychology: While it also deals with mental health disorders, clinical psychology utilizes non-medical therapeutic techniques for treatment. Signup and view all the answers

Contrast educational psychology and school psychology.

Educational Psychology: Primarily a research discipline, educational psychology focuses on understanding how people learn and the effectiveness of educational interventions. School Psychology: This profession involves direct interaction with students, parents, and educators to address psychological challenges and facilitate learning. Signup and view all the answers

Contrast behaviourism and behavioural neuroscience (also biological psychology).

Behaviorism: A broad psychological perspective that emphasizes observable behaviors and the environmental factors influencing them. Behavioral Neuroscience (or Biological Psychology): This field investigates the biological underpinnings of behavior, including the structure and functioning of the brain and nervous system. Signup and view all the answers

Identify and describe the themes related to psychology as a field of study.

Psychology is Empirical: This theme emphasizes the necessity of acquiring knowledge through systematic observation rather than relying on intuition, common sense, or speculation. Psychology is Theoretically Diverse: Psychology comprises a variety of theoretical frameworks that address the complexity of human behavior. Psychology Evolves in a Sociohistorical Context: Like any scientific discipline, the development of psychology is influenced by the sociohistorical context in which it takes place. Signup and view all the answers

Define empiricism and explain how empiricism demands skepticism.

Empiricism is defined as a philosophical approach emphasizing that knowledge is primarily derived from sensory experience and systematic observation Empiricism demands skepticism by urging individuals to critically evaluate claims that lack empirical support. Signup and view all the answers

Identify and describe the themes related to psychology's subject matter.

Behavior is Determined by Multiple Causes: This theme stresses the complexity of behavioral causation, often arising from an interplay of various factors rather than a singular cause. Behavior is Shaped by One's Cultural Heritage: Many early psychological studies primarily examined a narrow demographic. Heredity and Environment Jointly Influence Behavior: This theme recognizes that behavior results from a complex interaction between genetic predispositions and environmental factors. People's Experience of the World is Highly Subjective: Individuals often perceive their interpretations of experiences as the most valid. Signup and view all the answers

What are some other things to consider when assessing the evolutionary theory that explains differences in the spatial reasoning and navigational abilities of men and women?

cultural influences, Individual differences, neuroscientific evidence and cross-cultural studies Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Psychology (etymology)

Derived from Greek: psyche (soul/mind) and logos (study/discourse).

Psycho-logy Literally

The study of the mind.