Introduction to Psychology

Questions and Answers

What defines psychology as a field of study?

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

What are psychology's four primary goals?

Explanation (correct)

Control (correct)

Prediction (correct)

Description (correct)

Who is considered the father of psychology?

Wilhelm Wundt

Psychologists only study human behavior.

False Signup and view all the answers

What method do psychologists use to avoid biases in their observations?

The scientific method Signup and view all the answers

The term mental processes refers to all the internal, ____ activity of our minds.

covert Signup and view all the answers

Prediction is one of the goals of psychology.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an advantage of naturalistic settings?

Real-world observations Signup and view all the answers

What does the control goal in psychology focus on?

Changing undesirable behaviors to desirable ones. Signup and view all the answers

What is objective introspection?

The process of objectively examining and measuring one’s own thoughts and mental activities. Signup and view all the answers

What is the best method to test the hypothesis regarding children and aggression?

Experiment with cartoons Signup and view all the answers

What do you do with the results of your testing?

Draw conclusions. Signup and view all the answers

If the hypothesis is not supported, it means the experiment failed and should not be reported.

False Signup and view all the answers

What should you report after conducting an experiment?

The methods used and the findings. Signup and view all the answers

The goal of hypothesis testing is to get an explanation for _____

behavior Signup and view all the answers

What can you do if your hypothesis is supported?

Make educated guesses about future scenarios. Signup and view all the answers

Replicating research is not necessary if the results are significant.

False Signup and view all the answers

It is far less _____ version of psychoanalysis that is more focused on the development of a sense of self.

common Signup and view all the answers

What are two of the earliest and most famous founders of humanistic psychology?

Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT emphasized in modern psychodynamic perspectives?

Sexual motivations Signup and view all the answers

The cognitive perspective focuses solely on behaviors.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the main study focus of cognitive neuroscientists?

The physical workings of the brain and nervous system during cognitive processes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of the sociocultural perspective?

Social roles and cultural norms Signup and view all the answers

Match the following psychological perspectives with their primary focus:

Psychodynamic = Unconscious mind and early experiences Behavioral = Learned behaviors through conditioning Humanistic = Self-actualization and free will Cognitive = Mental processes and thought patterns Biopsychological = Biological bases of behavior Signup and view all the answers

_________ is the tendency to feel that someone else is responsible for taking action when others are present.

Diffusion of responsibility Signup and view all the answers

What is one finding of the research on bystander effect?

The presence of other people lessens the chances that a person in trouble will receive help. Signup and view all the answers

Which human behavior is explained by the evolutionary perspective?

Universal mental characteristics Signup and view all the answers

Who was Edward Titchener?

An English psychologist Signup and view all the answers

What did Titchener call his new viewpoint?

Structuralism Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in psychology?

Margaret F. Washburn Signup and view all the answers

Structuralism was a dominant force in psychology throughout the 20th century.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which viewpoint did William James primarily focus on?

Functionalism Signup and view all the answers

What did James believe about the study of consciousness?

It was not yet possible. Signup and view all the answers

What was functionalism influenced by?

Charles Darwin's ideas about natural selection Signup and view all the answers

Mary Whiton Calkins earned her Ph.D. from Harvard University.

False Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in psychology?

Francis Cecil Sumner Signup and view all the answers

What is the Gestalt psychology's main focus?

Studying perception and sensation as wholes Signup and view all the answers

Gestalt psychology has no influence on modern psychological therapies.

False Signup and view all the answers

How does a psychologist differ from a psychiatrist?

A psychologist has no medical training and holds a doctorate degree, while a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medications. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following professionals focuses more on the environmental conditions that affect mental disorders?

Psychiatric social worker Signup and view all the answers

Which perspective is known as the 'third force' in psychology?

Humanism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following pairs represents the oldest of today’s psychological perspectives?

Behaviorism and psychodynamics Signup and view all the answers

Which perspective would a researcher be taking if she were studying the way children learn through reinforcement of their actions?

Behaviorism Signup and view all the answers

All psychologists are trained to do counseling.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are the first steps in the scientific method in psychology?

<ol> <li>Perceiving the question 2. Forming a hypothesis.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is a hypothesis?

A tentative explanation for observed phenomena that can be tested. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of biopsychological perspective?

Influences of hormones and brain structures Signup and view all the answers

In the definition of psychology, behavior means:

Outward or overt actions and reactions. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first woman president of the American Psychological Association?

Mary Whiton Calkins Signup and view all the answers

Which early perspective would have been LEAST likely to agree with the structuralists?

Introspectionism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following early psychologists would have been most likely to agree with the statement, 'The study of the mind should focus on how it allows us to adapt to our surroundings'?

William James Signup and view all the answers

Dr. Edwards designs a special behavior program for helping children diagnosed with autism to learn to communicate with others. Dr. Edwards is most interested in the goal of:

Control Signup and view all the answers

Cheryan et al. (2009) tested for the reason why there are so few women in the computer science field. This study most clearly illustrates the goal of:

Explanation Signup and view all the answers

Who among the early African American psychologists eventually became president of two universities?

Dr. Ruth Howard Signup and view all the answers

Who is known as the father of behaviorism?

John B. Watson Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Science of Psychology

Psychology explores fundamental questions about behavior, mental processes, and human experiences.
Key inquiries include the nature of attraction, memory, dreams, the impact of culture on personality, and the roots of prejudice.

Definition of Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Behavior encompasses observable actions, while mental processes involve internal experiences like thinking and feeling.
The scientific approach is crucial to minimize biases and ensure accurate observations.

Goals of Psychology

Description: Observing and detailing behavior, such as gender dynamics in certain fields (e.g., computer science).
Explanation: Formulating theories to understand behaviors, like gender perceptions in male-dominated environments.
Prediction: Determining future outcomes based on observed patterns, particularly regarding gender representation in fields like computer science.
Control: Modifying undesirable behaviors (e.g., gender imbalances) to promote equality in career choices.

Historical Perspectives in Psychology

Psychology emerged as a formal field in approximately 1879 with Wilhelm Wundt, who established the first experimental laboratory in Leipzig, Germany.
Wundt is known as the "father of psychology" for applying scientific methods to study the human mind, emphasizing objective introspection.

Structuralism and Functionalism

Wundt's student, Edward Titchener, expanded on his principles, coining the term structuralism to analyze conscious experiences into their basic elements through objective introspection.
Titchener's approach focused on breaking down experiences into individual sensations and emotions.

Contributions by Early Psychologists

Margaret F. Washburn became the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in psychology and made significant contributions to animal behavior research.
Philosophers like Aristotle and Plato laid early groundwork, pondering the relationship between the mind and body.

Importance of Scientific Method

Employing the scientific method adds precision and objectivity, crucial for reliable psychological research.
Recognizing flawed research methods ensures robust and accurate study outcomes, contributing to advancing understanding in psychology.

Application of Psychology

Understanding the interplay between mind, body, and behavior aids in improving memory, learning abilities, and managing various life stresses.
Psychology encourages critical thinking applicable to evaluating advertisements, political claims, and everyday interactions.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical concerns arise when conducting research involving humans and animals, necessitating strict guidelines to protect participants and ensure integrity in findings.### Structuralism and Its Decline
Structuralism was a key early school of thought in psychology, primarily focused on analyzing the structure of the mind through introspection.
Internal conflicts among structuralists about the essence of consciousness led to its decline in the early 1900s.

William James and Functionalism

William James (1842–1910) was a prominent figure in psychology, teaching at Harvard University, where psychology first gained academic foothold in the U.S. in the late 1870s.
James emphasized functionalism, focusing on how consciousness and behavior aid adaptation, rather than solely analyzing consciousness.
Influenced by Charles Darwin, he integrated natural selection concepts, arguing that behavioral traits that help survival are passed down.
Highlights include his textbook "Principles of Psychology" (1890), still in publication.

Contributions of Mary Whiton Calkins

Mary Whiton Calkins, a student of James, successfully completed Ph.D. requirements but was denied the degree due to gender biases.
Established a psychological laboratory at Wellesley College and focused on human memory and self-psychology.
Served as the first female president of the American Psychological Association.

Contributions of African American Psychologists

Francis Cecil Sumner became the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in psychology (1920) and is dubbed the father of African American psychology.
Kenneth and Mamie Clark conducted significant research on the effects of school segregation on African American children.
Jorge Sanchez investigated cultural biases in intelligence testing.
Several early African American psychologists, such as Charles Henry Thompson and Ruth Howard, made substantial contributions to educational psychology.

Gestalt Psychology

Founded by Max Wertheimer, Gestalt psychology challenges structuralism by asserting that perception cannot be understood through isolated elements.
The principle "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" emphasizes that individuals perceive patterns and wholes in sensory data.
Gestalt psychology laid the groundwork for cognitive psychology and influenced therapeutic approaches like Gestalt therapy.

Sigmund Freud and Psychoanalysis

Sigmund Freud, a neurologist, proposed the concept of the unconscious mind, suggesting that repressed desires drive psychological disorders.
He emphasized the impact of early childhood experiences on personality development, positing that issues arise from the first six years of life.
Freud's followers, including Adler, Jung, and Anna Freud, further developed psychoanalytic theories, which remain influential, albeit adapted over time.### Freudian Psychoanalysis and Behaviorism
Freudian psychoanalysis set the foundation for modern psychotherapy, focusing on unconscious motives.
Competing approach: Behaviorism, emphasizing observable behavior over internal mental processes.

Ivan Pavlov's Contributions

Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist, is known for his work on conditioned reflexes using dogs.
Demonstrated that a neutral stimulus (like a ticking metronome) could elicit a reflexive response (salivation) when paired with food.
This process of learning through association is termed conditioning.

John B. Watson and Behaviorism

John B. Watson, father of behaviorism, rejected psychoanalysis, advocating for a focus on observable behavior.
Proposed that behaviors, including phobias, are learned through conditioning rather than stemming from unconscious conflicts.
Conducted the famous “Little Albert” experiment, training a child to fear a white rat through loud noises, establishing a conditioned emotional response.

Mary Cover Jones and Counterconditioning

Watson's graduate student Mary Cover Jones replicated the “Little Albert” study with another child, “Little Peter.”
Introduced counterconditioning, gradually exposing Peter to a feared object (white rabbit) while he ate his favorite food, successfully reducing fear.
Jones become a pioneer of behavior therapy and contributed to research on child development.

Modern Perspectives in Psychology

Psychology today encompasses multiple perspectives, including psychodynamic, behavioral, humanistic, and cognitive psychology.
Modern psychodynamic perspective incorporates insights from Freud while emphasizing self-development and social relationships over sexual motivations.

Behavioral Perspective and B.F. Skinner

B.F. Skinner enhanced behaviorism with operant conditioning, explaining how voluntary behaviors are learned through reinforcement.
Actions followed by positive outcomes are likely to be repeated, as illustrated by children crying for attention.

Humanistic Perspective

Emerged as a reaction to psychoanalytic and behaviorist theories, emphasizing free will and personal growth.
Key figures: Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, who focused on self-actualization and human potential.

Cognitive Perspective

Adult cognitive psychology became prominent in the 1960s, focusing on mental processes like thinking, memory, and information handling.
Influenced by advancements in technology and research in cognitive development, emphasizing the importance of thought patterns.

Historical Context of Psychology

Psychology combines elements from various fields, including philosophy and physiology.
Early key contributors included Wilhelm Wundt (father of psychology) and Edward Titchener (structuralism), which sought to break down experiences into individual components.
Functionalism, led by William James, focused on how mental processes aid in survival, influenced by Darwin’s theories on natural selection.

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamentals of psychology as a field of study. Test your understanding of the primary goals of psychology, its foundational figures, and the methods psychologists employ to study behavior and mental processes. Perfect for beginners looking to grasp the basics!