Introduction to Psychology Quiz

Psychology Definition and Nature

• Literal Meaning: Psychology translates to "study of the mind or soul."
• Scientific Discipline: Psychology is considered a science due to its reliance on scientific methods and empirical measurement to study behavior and mental processes.
• Types of Behavior:
  • Overt Behavior: Actions that are observable, such as writing or lying.
  • Covert Behavior: Internal processes that are not directly observable.

Behavior Understanding

• Awareness in Behavior:
  • Conscious Behavior: Actions performed with full awareness, such as solving a math problem.
  • Unconscious Behavior: Actions done without awareness, like automatic breathing in response to stimuli.
  • Non-conscious Behavior: Processes that occur without conscious thought.
  • Involuntary Behavior: Automatic responses like blinking.
• Rational vs. Irrational Behavior:
  • Rational behavior is based on reasoning and understanding.
  • Irrational behavior lacks apparent reason.

Psychological Processes

• Study of Human Behavior: Psychology encompasses not just human behavior but also the mental processes affecting actions.
• Dreams and Fantasies: These are classified as mental processes within the psychological framework.

Behavior Characterization

• Voluntary Behavior: Conducted with full will and discretion, opposite to involuntary responses which occur automatically.
• Simple vs. Complex Behavior: Simple behaviors use fewer neurons than complex behaviors, emphasizing the neurological aspect of actions.

Branches and Applications of Psychology

• Biopsychology: Applies biological principles to understand mental processes and behaviors.
• Physiological Psychology: Investigates neural mechanisms, often through experimentation with animals.
• Psychiatry: A medical field focused on the treatment of mental disorders.
• Social Psychology: Studies human behavior and social processes, applying biological principles when necessary.

Goals and Aims of Psychology

• Objectives: The primary goals are to describe, understand, predict, and control both human and animal behavior.
• Distinction from Other Fields: Psychology stands apart from social sciences like sociology and political science, focusing specifically on behavior and mental processes.

Behavior Definitions

• Matching Definitions:
  • Overt Behavior: Observable actions.
  • Covert Behavior: Not directly visible actions.
  • Conscious Behavior: Actions done with awareness.
  • Unconscious Behavior: Actions without awareness.
  • Non-conscious Behavior: Actions detected by instruments.
  • Rational Behavior: Actions with reasoning.
  • Irrational Behavior: Actions without reason.
  • Voluntary Behavior: Actions done with will.
  • Involuntary Behavior: Automatic actions.
  • Simple Behavior: Uses fewer neurons compared to complex behavior.