Key Concepts in Psychology

Questions and Answers

What is psychology?

The scientific study of animals

The art of understanding emotions

The study of human anatomy

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes (correct)

What does the term 'behavior' refer to?

observable and measurable actions of people and animals

What are cognitive activities?

private, unobservable mental processes such as sensation, perception, thought, and problem solving

What are psychological constructs?

theoretical entities that enable discussion about unobservable concepts Signup and view all the answers

What is a theory?

a set of assumptions about why something is the way it is and happens the way it does Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'principle' refer to?

a rule or law Signup and view all the answers

What is basic research?

research conducted for its own sake without seeking solutions to specific problems Signup and view all the answers

What is introspection?

an examination of one's own thoughts and feelings Signup and view all the answers

What is associationism?

a learned connection between two ideas or events Signup and view all the answers

What is structuralism?

the school of psychology maintaining that conscious experience breaks down into sensations and feelings Signup and view all the answers

What is functionalism?

the school of psychology emphasizing the purposes of behavior and mental processes Signup and view all the answers

What is behaviorism?

the school of psychology that defines psychology as the scientific study of observable behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is Gestalt psychology?

the school of psychology that emphasizes organizing perceptions into meaningful wholes Signup and view all the answers

What is psychoanalysis?

the school of psychology that emphasizes unconscious motives and conflicts as determinants of behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is psychodynamic thinking?

the theory that most of what fills an individual's mind is unconscious and consists of conflicting urges Signup and view all the answers

What is the biological perspective?

the psychological perspective emphasizing the influence of biology on behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is the evolutionary perspective?

the theory focusing on the evolution of behavior and mental processes Signup and view all the answers

What is the cognitive perspective?

the viewpoint emphasizing the role of thought processes in determining behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is the humanistic perspective?

the psychological view that emphasizes the existence of the self and the importance of self-awareness Signup and view all the answers

What is the psychoanalytic perspective?

the perspective that stresses the influences of unconscious forces on behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is the learning perspective?

the psychological point of view emphasizing the effects of experience on behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is social-learning theory?

the theory suggesting that people can change or create their environments Signup and view all the answers

What is the sociocultural perspective?

the perspective focusing on the roles of ethnicity, gender, culture, and socioeconomic status in behavior and personality formation Signup and view all the answers

What is an ethnic group?

a group united by cultural heritage, race, language, or common history Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts in Psychology

Psychology is defined as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Behavior refers to observable and measurable actions exhibited by people and animals.
Cognitive activities encompass private, unobservable mental processes, including sensation, perception, thought, and problem solving.

Theoretical Frameworks

Psychological constructs are theoretical entities that allow for discussions about concepts that cannot be directly observed or measured.
A theory comprises a set of assumptions explaining why certain phenomena occur.
Principles represent rules or laws governing psychological phenomena.

Types of Research

Basic research is conducted without a specific problem-solving goal, aimed at expanding knowledge for its own sake.

Historical Schools of Thought

Introspection involves examining one's own thoughts and feelings.
Associationism refers to learned connections between two ideas or events.
Structuralism, founded by Wilhelm Wundt, breaks conscious experience into objective sensations and subjective feelings.
Functionalism, established by William James, emphasizes the purposes of behavior and mental processes.
Behaviorism, introduced by John Watson, defines psychology as the scientific study of observable behavior.

Key Psychological Perspectives

Gestalt psychology focuses on organizing perceptions into meaningful wholes.
Psychoanalysis, founded by Sigmund Freud, emphasizes the role of unconscious motives and conflicts in behavior.
Psychodynamic thinking posits that much of an individual's mental process consists of unconscious, conflicting impulses and urges.

Influences on Behavior

The biological perspective highlights the impact of biological factors on behavior.
The evolutionary perspective studies the evolution of behavior and mental processes.
The cognitive perspective emphasizes the significance of thought processes in behavior determination.
The humanistic perspective prioritizes self-awareness and the freedom of choice as fundamental to human behavior.
The psychoanalytic perspective stresses unconscious influences on behavior.

The learning perspective focuses on how experiences shape behavior.
Social-learning theory suggests individuals can change their environments or create new ones through their actions.
The sociocultural perspective examines the influence of ethnicity, gender, culture, and socioeconomic status on behavior and mental processes.

Cultural Aspects

Ethnic groups are defined as communities linked by cultural heritage, common history, race, or language.

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Description

This quiz covers essential concepts in psychology, including definitions of behavior and cognitive activities, theoretical frameworks, types of research, and historical schools of thought. Test your understanding of how psychological constructs and theories shape the field's study of human actions and mental processes.