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Questions and Answers
What is the primary aim of basic research in psychology?
What is the primary aim of basic research in psychology?
- To promote healthy behavior
- To solve practical problems
- To increase scientific knowledge (correct)
- To treat psychological disorders
Which branch of psychology is primarily concerned with assessing and treating psychological disorders?
Which branch of psychology is primarily concerned with assessing and treating psychological disorders?
- Counseling Psychology
- Positive Psychology
- Clinical Psychology (correct)
- Community Psychology
What distinguishes psychiatry from other branches of psychology?
What distinguishes psychiatry from other branches of psychology?
- It studies human strengths and virtues.
- It is practiced by physicians who can prescribe medications. (correct)
- It focuses on community interactions.
- It primarily deals with improving quality of life.
Cognitive neuroscience primarily studies which aspect of psychology?
Cognitive neuroscience primarily studies which aspect of psychology?
What is the primary focus of positive psychology?
What is the primary focus of positive psychology?
What was the primary focus of introspection in psychology?
What was the primary focus of introspection in psychology?
Which of the following describes the primary aim of functionalism as proposed by William James?
Which of the following describes the primary aim of functionalism as proposed by William James?
What was significant about Mary Whiton Calkins' academic achievements?
What was significant about Mary Whiton Calkins' academic achievements?
What was a key characteristic of behaviorism as defined by John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner?
What was a key characteristic of behaviorism as defined by John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner?
What did Sigmund Freud's theories emphasize?
What did Sigmund Freud's theories emphasize?
Which psychologists rejected both behaviorism and Freudian psychology?
Which psychologists rejected both behaviorism and Freudian psychology?
What was the controversial study conducted by Watson and Rayner about?
What was the controversial study conducted by Watson and Rayner about?
How did the contributions of Margaret Floy Washburn impact psychology?
How did the contributions of Margaret Floy Washburn impact psychology?
What are the two main contributors to the development of psychological traits and behaviors in the nature-nurture issue?
What are the two main contributors to the development of psychological traits and behaviors in the nature-nurture issue?
Which field of psychology focuses on the study of mental processes such as perception and memory?
Which field of psychology focuses on the study of mental processes such as perception and memory?
Which approach in psychology incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis?
Which approach in psychology incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis?
What does Positive Psychology primarily focus on?
What does Positive Psychology primarily focus on?
What is the primary study focus of Cognitive Neuroscience?
What is the primary study focus of Cognitive Neuroscience?
In which field of psychology do professionals create tests for measuring intelligence and personality?
In which field of psychology do professionals create tests for measuring intelligence and personality?
What does the term 'evolutionary psychology' refer to?
What does the term 'evolutionary psychology' refer to?
Which statement best describes the nature-nurture controversy in psychology?
Which statement best describes the nature-nurture controversy in psychology?
What is the primary focus of psychology as defined in the provided content?
What is the primary focus of psychology as defined in the provided content?
Which key qualities are necessary for putting a scientific attitude into practice in psychology?
Which key qualities are necessary for putting a scientific attitude into practice in psychology?
Who is recognized as the father of psychology and established the first psychological laboratory?
Who is recognized as the father of psychology and established the first psychological laboratory?
Which school of thought in psychology involves using introspection to understand the structure of the mind?
Which school of thought in psychology involves using introspection to understand the structure of the mind?
What did functionalism, influenced by Darwin, focus on in psychology?
What did functionalism, influenced by Darwin, focus on in psychology?
What does the Greek word 'psyche' refer to in psychology?
What does the Greek word 'psyche' refer to in psychology?
What is a significant aspect of the scientific attitude in psychology mentioned in the content?
What is a significant aspect of the scientific attitude in psychology mentioned in the content?
Who influenced the development of functionalism in psychology?
Who influenced the development of functionalism in psychology?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Psychology (PSYC101)
- Psychology is the systematic, scientific study of human behavior and mental processes.
- Roots of psychology trace back to the Greek words psyche (spirit/soul) and logos (word/study).
Psychology as a Science
- Requires a scientific attitude: curiosity, skepticism, humility, and openness to new perspectives.
- Differentiates reality from fantasy and fact from fiction through questioning and testing.
Historical Foundations
- Aristotle (before 300 B.C.E.) theorized about learning, memory, motivation, and emotion.
- Wilhelm Wundt founded the first psychology laboratory in 1879 at the University of Leipzig, Germany, marking psychology's inception as a formal discipline.
Early Schools of Thought
- Structuralism: Founded by Wundt and Titchener, focused on introspection to understand the human mind's structure.
- Functionalism: Influenced by Darwin and promoted by William James, studied how mental and behavioral processes help organisms adapt.
Contributions of Women in Psychology
- Mary Whiton Calkins: Completed Harvard’s Ph.D. requirements but was denied the degree, offered instead from Radcliffe College.
- Margaret Floy Washburn: First official female psychology Ph.D., second female APA president in 1921, authored "The Animal Mind".
Major Psychological Movements
- Behaviorism: Redefined psychology as the study of observable behavior; led by John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner.
- Freudian Psychology: Focused on unconscious influences and childhood experiences impacting behavior, introduced by Sigmund Freud.
- Humanistic Psychology: Founded by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, it emphasized personal growth and fulfillment beyond behaviorism and Freudian principles.
Contemporary Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology: Examines mental processes like perception, learning, thinking, and problem-solving.
- Cognitive Neuroscience: Explores brain activity related to cognition.
- Nature vs. Nurture: Ongoing debate over genetic vs. environmental contributions to behavior.
- Evolutionary Psychology: Studies the evolution of behavior using natural selection principles.
- Behavior Genetics: Investigates the influence of genetics and environment on behavior.
- Positive Psychology: Focuses on human flourishing and the strengths that help individuals and communities thrive.
Levels of Analysis
- Biopsychosocial Approach: Integrates biological, psychological, and social-cultural perspectives for comprehensive analysis.
- Three main levels of analysis: Biological, psychological, and social-cultural.
Subfields of Psychology
- Basic Research: Aims to enhance scientific knowledge.
- Applied Research: Addresses practical problems through scientific study.
- Counseling Psychology: Helps individuals with life issues related to work, school, or marriage.
- Clinical Psychology: Diagnoses and treats psychological disorders, usually without medical therapy.
- Psychiatry: Medical branch addressing psychological disorders with potential for drug therapy.
- Community Psychology: Studies social interactions and environmental influences on individuals.
Key Concepts Recap
- Cognitive neuroscience studies mental processes in perception, memory, and thinking.
- Behaviorism and humanistic psychology emerged as significant forces within the field.
- Clinical psychology often focuses on psychological disorders with a therapeutic approach but may lack medical interventions.
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