Introduction to Psychology

Definition of Psychology

• Psychology is a social science discipline that scientifically studies the mind and behavior.

Origins of Psychology

• The root "psyche" means soul in Greek, and "ology" means study of.
• Wilhelm Wundt is credited as one of the founders of psychology and created the first laboratory for psychological research in Germany.

Early Theories and Approaches

• Functionalism (William James): focuses on the function of behavior, studying the operation of the whole mind rather than individual parts.
• Psychoanalytic theory (Sigmund Freud): focuses on a person's unconscious and early childhood experiences.
• Behaviorism (John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner): studies observable behavior, focusing on behavior control and learned behavior.

Humanistic Approach

• Emphasizes the potential for good that is innate to all humans.
• Carl Rogers developed a client-centered therapy method.
• Abraham Maslow proposed a hierarchy of human needs in motivating behavior.

Cognitive Revolution

• Emerged from the interdisciplinary field of cognitive psychology, which studies mental processes and their relation to behavior.
• Noam Chomsky was influential in beginning the cognitive revolution.

Biological Psychology

• Studies how the structure and function of the nervous system generate behavior.

Sensation and Perception

• Sensory information remains the same, but perception can vary dramatically.

Developmental Psychology

• Studies development across a lifespan.
• Jean Piaget is famous for his theories regarding changes in cognitive ability that occur from infancy to adulthood.

Social Psychology

• Focuses on how we interact and relate to each other.
• Stanley Milgram's research demonstrated how far people will go in obeying orders from an authority figure.

Health Psychology

• Focuses on how health is affected by the interaction between biological, psychological, and social factors.
• The biopsychosocial model suggests that health/illness is determined by an interaction of these three factors.

Clinical Psychology

• Focuses on diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and other behavior-based problems.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapists take cognitive processes and behaviors into account when providing psychotherapy.

This quiz covers the basics of psychology, including its definition as a social science discipline, the scientific study of mind and behavior, and the scientific method.