Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does the biological approach in psychology primarily focus on?
What does the biological approach in psychology primarily focus on?
Which method is commonly used in the cognitive approach to study internal mental processes?
Which method is commonly used in the cognitive approach to study internal mental processes?
In the psychodynamic approach, which concept refers to the part of the mind that influences behavior without conscious awareness?
In the psychodynamic approach, which concept refers to the part of the mind that influences behavior without conscious awareness?
What is a primary focus of the behaviourist approach in psychology?
What is a primary focus of the behaviourist approach in psychology?
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Which of the following concepts is central to humanistic psychology?
Which of the following concepts is central to humanistic psychology?
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What is the purpose of conducting experiments in psychological research?
What is the purpose of conducting experiments in psychological research?
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Which method involves systematically watching and recording behaviour?
Which method involves systematically watching and recording behaviour?
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How do social psychologists primarily study the impact of social factors on behavior?
How do social psychologists primarily study the impact of social factors on behavior?
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What is a key characteristic of correlational studies?
What is a key characteristic of correlational studies?
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Which statement accurately describes informed consent in research ethics?
Which statement accurately describes informed consent in research ethics?
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What role do hormones play in biological psychology?
What role do hormones play in biological psychology?
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In cognitive psychology, what is the focus of memory studies?
In cognitive psychology, what is the focus of memory studies?
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Which concept describes the tendency of groups to make poor decisions due to pressure to conform?
Which concept describes the tendency of groups to make poor decisions due to pressure to conform?
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What does the term 'localisation of function' refer to in biological psychology?
What does the term 'localisation of function' refer to in biological psychology?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of qualitative research methods?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of qualitative research methods?
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How does the DSM-5 contribute to abnormal psychology?
How does the DSM-5 contribute to abnormal psychology?
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Which aspect of development is primarily addressed by attachment theory?
Which aspect of development is primarily addressed by attachment theory?
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What is a common misconception about perception in cognitive psychology?
What is a common misconception about perception in cognitive psychology?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Psychology
- Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour.
- It's a diverse field encompassing various perspectives and approaches to understanding human experience.
- Key areas of study include cognition, emotion, motivation, development, social influence, and individual differences.
- Research methods are crucial for gathering and evaluating evidence in psychology.
- Ethical considerations are paramount in psychological research and practice.
Approaches in Psychology
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Biological Approach: Focuses on the role of the brain, genetics, and the nervous system in behaviour and mental processes.
- Key concepts: neurotransmitters, hormones, brain structures, evolution, heredity, genotype/phenotype.
- Methods: brain imaging (e.g., fMRI), genetic studies, physiological measures (e.g., heart rate).
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Cognitive Approach: Examines internal mental processes like memory, perception, attention, and problem-solving.
- Key concepts: schemas, information processing, encoding, retrieval, cognitive biases.
- Methods: experiments, observations, case studies.
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Psychodynamic Approach: Emphasizes the unconscious mind, early childhood experiences, and the impact of unresolved conflicts on behaviour.
- Key concepts: the unconscious, the id, ego, superego, defence mechanisms, psychosexual stages of development (e.g., Oedipus complex).
- Methods: psychodynamic interviews, case studies.
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Behaviourist Approach: Focuses on observable behaviour and environmental factors that influence learning.
- Key concepts: classical conditioning, operant conditioning, reinforcement, punishment, observational learning.
- Methods: experiments, observations.
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Humanistic Approach: Highlights free will, personal growth, and subjective experience.
- Key concepts: self-actualization, congruence, unconditional positive regard, Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
- Methods: qualitative methods such as interviews and focus groups.
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Social Approach: Explores how social factors influence behaviour and cognition.
- Key concepts: social cognition (e.g., stereotypes, prejudice), conformity, obedience, attribution theory, group dynamics.
- Methods: experiments, correlational studies, observational studies.
Research Methods
- Experiments: Manipulating one variable (independent variable) to measure its effect on another (dependent variable).
- Observational Studies: Systematically watching and recording behaviour in natural or controlled settings. Includes participant and non-participant observation.
- Case Studies: In-depth analyses of individuals, groups or phenomena, often involving detailed historical information and multiple data sources.
- Correlational Studies: Investigating relationships between variables. Correlation does not equal causation.
- Surveys: Collecting data from a large sample through questionnaires or interviews.
- Qualitative Research Methods: Focus on in-depth understanding, including interviews, thematic analysis, and discourse analysis.
Research Ethics
- Informed Consent: Participants must understand the study and agree to participate willingly.
- Confidentiality: Protecting participants' identities and data.
- Deception: Justifying and debriefing participants if necessary.
- Right to Withdraw: Participants can leave the study at any time without penalty.
- Protection from Harm: Ensuring participants' physical and psychological well-being.
- Debriefing: Providing information about the study and addressing concerns after the study is finished.
Biological Psychology
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The Nervous System: Structure and function of the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and the autonomic nervous system.
- Neurons: transmitting information via action potentials.
- Synaptic transmission: chemical communication between neurons.
- Hormones: Chemical messengers influencing behaviour and emotions (e.g., cortisol, testosterone, estrogen).
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Brain Structures: Understanding regions like the amygdala (emotion), hippocampus (memory), frontal lobe (higher cognition), and their functions.
- Localisation of function: different brain regions specialize in different tasks, e.g., language processing.
- Genetic Predispositions: Research on heritability and gene-environment interactions affecting behaviour and mental processes.
Cognitive Psychology
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Memory: Encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.
- Types of memory (e.g., sensory, short-term, long-term).
- Models of memory (e.g., multi-store model, working memory model).
- Attention: Focusing on specific stimuli while filtering out others.
- Language: Comprehension, production, and acquisition of language skills.
- Perception: Interpreting sensory information to form a meaningful experience.
Social Psychology
- Conformity: Adjusting behaviour or beliefs to match those of a group.
- Obedience: Following orders from an authority figure, even if harmful.
- Groupthink: The tendency for groups to make poor decisions when pressure to conform is high.
- Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination: Examining the formation, maintenance, and impact of social categories.
Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Development: Changes in mental abilities across the lifespan (e.g., Piaget's stages of cognitive development).
- Social and Emotional Development: Changes in social skills, emotional regulation, and understanding of morality across the lifespan (e.g., attachment theory).
- Physical Development: Changes in growth, motor skills, and physical characteristics across the lifespan.
Abnormal Psychology
- Defining abnormality: Different perspectives on what constitutes abnormal behaviour (statistical, social, functional).
- Diagnosis and classification: Understanding and applying DSM-5 and other classification systems.
- Common psychological disorders: Causes, symptoms, and treatments for various disorders (e.g., anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia).
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Description
Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of psychology, including various approaches, key areas of study, and ethical considerations in research. This quiz covers important concepts in cognitive, biological, and social psychology, encouraging an understanding of human mind and behavior.
