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Questions and Answers
What discipline examines the changes that occur throughout the lifespan?
What discipline examines the changes that occur throughout the lifespan?
Which method involves observing behaviors in their natural settings?
Which method involves observing behaviors in their natural settings?
Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference between psychology and psychiatry?
Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference between psychology and psychiatry?
What type of psychological study provides highly detailed descriptions of a single individual or event?
What type of psychological study provides highly detailed descriptions of a single individual or event?
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What is a key feature of the scientific method in psychology?
What is a key feature of the scientific method in psychology?
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What main concern does psychology address?
What main concern does psychology address?
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What role did Wilhelm Wundt play in psychology?
What role did Wilhelm Wundt play in psychology?
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What did Sigmund Freud believe about human behavior?
What did Sigmund Freud believe about human behavior?
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Which psychologist is associated with the concept of reinforcement?
Which psychologist is associated with the concept of reinforcement?
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What is a key focus of humanistic psychology?
What is a key focus of humanistic psychology?
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Study Notes
Why Study Psychology?
- Understand yourself and your behavior
- Better comprehend relationships and reactions to others
- Explore the connection between your brain and body
- Gain a deeper understanding of the world
The Study of Psychology
- Psychology focuses on observable behavior and inner thoughts and feelings
- It is defined as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Influences on Psychology
- Philosophy: Philosophers examined concepts like consciousness, perception, and motivation
- Physiology: Physiologists in the 1600s studied the human brain and its link to behavior, also developing scientific explanations for senses like vision and hearing
Wilhelm Wundt: The Founder of Psychology
- Established the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany in 1879
- Utilized experimental methods to study and measure consciousness
Psychoanalysis: Exploring the Unconscious
- Developed by Sigmund Freud, a physician focusing on nervous disorders
- Emphasized the role of unconscious conflicts in shaping behavior and personality
- Freud believed extreme unconscious conflicts could lead to psychological disorders
Behaviorism: The Observable Focus
- A school of psychology and viewpoint that emphasizes observable behavior, not mental processes
- Ivan Pavlov: Demonstrated that dogs could learn to associate a neutral stimulus (bell) with an automatic behavior (salivation)
- B.F. Skinner: Utilized reinforcement and punishment to shape the behavior of rats and pigeons
Humanistic Psychology: Emphasis on Individual Potential
- Founded by Carl Rogers, an American psychologist
- Focused on self-determination, free will, and human potential
- Abraham Maslow: Developed a theory of motivation highlighting psychological needs
Special Areas in Psychology
- Developmental Psychology: Studies physical, social, and psychological changes across the lifespan
- Social Psychology: Examines how people are influenced by their social environments, including topics like obedience, prejudice, and conformity
- Personality Psychology: Focuses on individual differences and traits that make each person unique
- Clinical Psychology: Studies the causes, treatment, and prevention of psychological disorders
Psychology vs. Psychiatry
- Psychology: A broad field of study with a Ph.D, emphasizing research methods and specialized areas of advanced study
- Psychiatry: A medical specialty with an MD (Doctor of Medicine), providing training in treatment of mental and behavioral problems with the ability to prescribe medications
The Scientific Method
- A set of assumptions, attitudes, and procedures guiding researchers in creating questions, generating evidence, and drawing conclusions
Descriptive Methods
- Naturalistic Observation: Observing and recording behaviors in their natural settings
- Case Study: An in-depth description of a single individual or event
- Survey: A questionnaire or interview designed to investigate opinions, behaviors, or characteristics of a group
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Description
Explore the foundational concepts of psychology, including its definition, influences from philosophy and physiology, and the contributions of key figures like Wilhelm Wundt and Sigmund Freud. This quiz will help you understand the key elements that define the study of behavior and mental processes.
