History, Research, and Ethics

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What does Gestalt Theory emphasize in psychological perception?

It emphasizes how the mind creates perceptual experiences by interpreting stimuli differently.

How does Developmental Psychology view psychological phenomena?

It studies how psychological phenomena change throughout an individual's lifespan.

What is the primary focus of Social Psychology?

It focuses on the cause and consequences of social behavior.

Define dualism and its implications for the relationship between mind and body.

Dualism posits that the mind and body are fundamentally different and not connected, suggesting that mental phenomena are non-physical. Signup and view all the answers

What do cognitive psychologists primarily study?

They study how human beings process information, focusing on areas such as attention and memory. Signup and view all the answers

In what way did John Locke contribute to the discussion of realism in psychology?

John Locke argued that realism acknowledges a reality that exists independently of our perceptions, asserting that our brains process sensory information to create perceptions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental premise of Evolutionary Psychology?

It posits that the human mind has been shaped by natural selection. Signup and view all the answers

What is the central tenet of empiricism as proposed by Locke?

Empiricism asserts that all knowledge is acquired through experience, implying that individuals are born as a blank slate, or tabula rasa. Signup and view all the answers

What role does cultural psychology play in understanding mental life?

It studies how culture influences our mental processes and behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

Define empiricism in the context of the scientific method.

Empiricism is the belief that accurate knowledge can be acquired through observation. Signup and view all the answers

Explain Hermann von Helmholtz's contribution to psychology regarding reaction time.

Hermann von Helmholtz studied reaction time and discovered that the time taken to respond varies based on the location of the stimulus, revealing insights into neural transmission speed. Signup and view all the answers

Who is recognized for opening the world's first psychology laboratory, and what approach did he emphasize?

Wilhelm Wundt is recognized for opening the first psychology laboratory in 1879, emphasizing the approach of structuralism to analyze the mind's basic elements. Signup and view all the answers

What are the steps involved in the scientific method as described?

The steps include forming an idea, creating a theory, providing a hypothetical explanation, and formulating a hypothesis. Signup and view all the answers

What method did Edward Titchener develop, and what was its purpose?

Edward Titchener developed the method of introspection, aimed at exploring the conscious experience by having individuals report their thoughts and feelings. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the main difference between nativism and empiricism in the context of psychological knowledge.

Nativism holds that some knowledge is innate and genetically inherited, while empiricism claims that knowledge is derived solely from experience. Signup and view all the answers

How did Immanuel Kant's view of idealism differ from John Locke's realism?

Immanuel Kant's idealism suggests that reality is shaped by our interpretations and sensory experiences, while John Locke's realism holds that an independent reality exists, which our perceptions attempt to represent. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes functionalism from structuralism in psychology?

Functionalism focuses on the mind as a tool for adaptation and survival, while structuralism analyzes the structure of consciousness. Signup and view all the answers

How did natural selection influence the development of functionalism?

Natural selection provided the framework for understanding mental states as survival mechanisms that evolve over time. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the unconscious mind play in Freud's psychoanalytic theory?

The unconscious mind contains inaccessible information that influences feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of behaviorism in psychology?

Behaviorism restricts inquiry to observable behavior, disregarding the importance of the mind. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the importance of the 'Skinner Box' in behaviorism.

The 'Skinner Box' demonstrated the principles of reinforcement by showing how behavior can be shaped through rewards. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Principle of Reinforcement in behaviorism?

The Principle of Reinforcement states that rewarded behaviors are more likely to be repeated, while unrewarded behaviors are less likely to occur. Signup and view all the answers

Why did behaviorists like John Watson dismiss the study of the mind?

Watson believed that psychology should focus solely on observable behavior to be considered a real science. Signup and view all the answers

How did Charcot and Janet contribute to the understanding of hysteria?

They introduced the term 'hysteria' to describe a loss of function with no clear physical cause, linking it to psychological factors. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gestalt Theory

Focuses on how the mind creates perceptual experiences.
Illustrates this through the example that people perceive the same image differently based on individual interpretations.

Developmental Psychology

Examines how psychological phenomena change throughout a person’s lifespan.

Studies how social interactions, such as communication, leadership, and prejudice, influence individual behavior.
Considers the influence of thought processes and how they shape reactions to stimuli.

Cognitive Psychology

Explores how humans process information, focusing on areas like attention, memory, and cognitive processes.

Evolutionary Psychology

Investigates how natural selection has shaped the human mind.
Suggests that certain associations are easier to make due to biological preparedness.

Cognitive Neuroscience

Studies the connection between the brain and the mind.

Behavioural Neuroscience

Investigates the relationship between the brain and behavior.

Cultural Psychology

Recognizes cultural differences and their impact on mental processes.
Defines culture as the shared values, traditions, and beliefs of a group.
Highlights various factors influencing cultural identity, such as nationality, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion, and occupation.

Research and Ethics

Emphasizes the use of the scientific method for establishing facts.
Defines empiricism as the belief that accurate knowledge can be acquired through observation.
Describes the empirical method as a set of rules and techniques for observation.
Outlines the scientific method's steps, including formulating an idea, developing a theory based on research, creating a hypothetical explanation, and constructing a hypothesis.

Introspection

Involves analyzing subjective experiences through trained observers.
Emphasizes recording raw experiences rather than interpretations.

Functionalism

Views the mind as a functional tool for adapting to the environment.
Suggests that mental states and behaviors are survival mechanisms aligned with inherent biological goals.
Draws inspiration from Darwin's theories.

Natural Selection

Explains how favorable traits that contribute to survival and reproduction become more prevalent in a population over time.

Psychoanalytic Theory

Introduced by Sigmund Freud, it emphasizes the influence of the unconscious on feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.

Psychoanalysis

A therapy that helps individuals gain insight into the content of their unconscious mind.

Behaviourism

Focuses on observable behavior as the primary subject of psychological study.
Argues that the mind is not a necessary factor for understanding behavior.
Emphasizes the importance of objective observation in understanding behavior.

The Principle of Reinforcement

Developed by B.F. Skinner.
States that behaviors followed by rewards are more likely to be repeated, while unrewarded behaviors are less likely to be repeated.

Psychology Philosophical Roots

Defines psychology as the study of the mind and behavior.
Defines the mind as private events and behavior as observable actions.

Dualism

Proposed by René Descartes.
Argues that the mind and body are distinct entities.
Suggests the body is a container for the non-physical mind.
Asserts that the mind and body are not connected.

Materialism

Advocated by Thomas Hobbes.
Contradicts dualism by claiming that the mind is a product of the brain.
Proposes that the body is more than just a container for the mind.
Argues that mental processes are solely caused by brain activity.

Realism

Advocated by John Locke.
Maintains that the world exists independently of our perception.
Suggests that the brain receives sensory information and uses it to create perceptions.

Idealism

Proposed by Immanuel Kant.
Suggests that reality is a combination of sensory input and individual interpretation.
Argues that our perception is shaped by prior knowledge and experiences.

Empiricism

Advanced by John Locke.
Claims that all knowledge is acquired through experience.
Proposes that individuals are born as tabula rasa, a blank slate.

Nativism

Advocated by Immanuel Kant.
Suggests that some knowledge is innate rather than learned.

Hermann von Helmholtz

Examined reaction time and the speed of nerve transmission.
Found that reaction times varied based on the location of stimulation.
His work contributed to understanding the physical processes underlying perception.

Wilhelm Wundt

Established the first psychology laboratory in 1879.
Developed structuralism, an approach that aimed to break down the mind's basic elements.

Edward Titchener

A student of Wundt, developed the technique of introspection.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.