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Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of psychological science?
Which of the following best describes the 'nature vs nurture' debate in psychology?
What significant aspect contributed to the development of contemporary psychology?
What were the initial roots of psychology considered to be?
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What question does psychology seek to address regarding human behavior?
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Study Notes
What is psychology?
- Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior.
- It aims to understand how people think, feel, and act.
Roots of psychology: Psychological science is born
- The roots of psychology can be traced back to ancient Greece.
- Philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle explored the nature of the mind and consciousness.
- Modern psychology emerged in the late 19th century with the work of Wilhelm Wundt.
- Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany in 1879.
Psychological Science Develops
- Early psychologists focused on introspection, the examination of one's own conscious thoughts and feelings.
- Psychologists like Edward Titchener developed structuralism, which aimed to identify the basic elements of consciousness.
- William James, a prominent American psychologist, promoted functionalism, which emphasized the purpose of mental processes.
- Sigmund Freud developed psychoanalysis, a theory that emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind in shaping behavior.
Contemporary Psychology
- Psychology has become a diverse field, with many different subfields.
Psychology's biggest question: Nature vs Nurture
- The nature vs nurture debate asks whether human traits are primarily the result of genetics (nature) or environment (nurture).
- Modern psychologists recognize that both nature and nurture play a role in shaping human behavior.
- However, the relative contributions of each factor are still debated.
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Description
Explore the fascinating field of psychology, from its ancient roots to its development as a scientific discipline. Learn about key figures like Plato, Wundt, and Freud, and understand the evolution of psychological thought and practice.
