Origins of Psychology and Wundt's Contributions
61 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What defines psychology as a scientific discipline?

  • It focuses exclusively on animal behavior.
  • It employs subjective interpretations of behavior.
  • It is based solely on philosophical theories.
  • It uses empirical methods and systematic observation. (correct)

Which of the following best describes Wundt's approach known as structuralism?

  • It emphasizes the study of observable behavior.
  • It rejects any form of empirical research.
  • It seeks to understand the structure of the mind by analyzing its components. (correct)
  • It focuses on the unconscious mind and its effects on behavior.

What is one major strength of Wundt's use of introspection?

  • It allowed for controlled experiments and replication. (correct)
  • It eliminated the need for sample sizes.
  • It was based on philosophical speculation.
  • It produced entirely objective data.

How did behaviorism differ from Wundt's approach?

<p>Behaviorism focuses strictly on observable actions instead of internal processes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a key concept of Sigmund Freud's psychodynamics?

<p>The exploration of unconscious processes and defense mechanisms. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a weakness of Wundt's introspection method?

<p>It could lead to biased or inaccurate self-reports. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary reason behaviorists rejected the study of internal mental states?

<p>They viewed the mind as inaccessible and preferred measurable behavior. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What approach did Freud take to study psychological phenomena?

<p>He developed theories based on unconscious motivations and early experiences. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the biological approach suggest is the primary cause of human behaviour?

<p>Genetic inheritance (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which approach to psychology focuses on the idea of 'blank slates' at birth?

<p>Behaviourism (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of determinism suggests that our behaviours are directed by unconscious forces?

<p>Psychic determinism (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which feature distinguishes humanistic psychology from other approaches?

<p>Assertion of free will (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the cognitive approach differ from strict determinism?

<p>It allows for individual choices within limits (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which therapy technique is effective for treating phobias according to behavioural models?

<p>Systematic desensitisation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key criticism of the cognitive approach regarding its methodology?

<p>Reduction of complex behaviour to machine-like processes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following approaches emphasizes the influence of relationships and society on self-concept?

<p>Humanistic psychology (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept do social learning theorists introduce that differentiates their view from traditional behaviourism?

<p>Reciprocal determinism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which psychological approach is characterized as reductionist for explaining complex behaviour through stimulus-response units?

<p>Behaviourism (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of cognitive therapy in treating maladaptive behaviour?

<p>To reformulate faulty thinking (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Freud's theory primarily links abnormality to which of the following?

<p>Unconscious conflicts (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one major application of the biological approach in psychology?

<p>Drug therapy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the behaviourist approach?

<p>Observable behaviours (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does classical conditioning differ from operant conditioning?

<p>Classical conditioning is about involuntary responses. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a major criticism of using animal experiments to understand human behaviour?

<p>Human complexity and social factors are often overlooked. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way is behaviourism considered reductionist?

<p>It oversimplifies behaviour by ignoring social learning. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which concept is central to understanding social learning theory?

<p>Vicarious learning (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do mediational processes play in social learning theory?

<p>They facilitate the understanding of cognitive processes during observation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does vicarious reinforcement have on behaviour according to social learning theory?

<p>It promotes imitation of observed behaviours. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What limitation is associated with Bandura's Bobo Doll Experiment?

<p>Inconsistent results across different contexts. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of behaviourism is often highlighted as ethical concerns in real-world applications?

<p>Manipulative techniques in behaviour shaping. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes live models from symbolic models in social learning theory?

<p>Live models are observed in person, while symbolic models are media figures. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement in operant conditioning?

<p>Positive reinforcement increases behaviour by adding pleasant stimuli. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept does Bandura's idea of reciprocal determinism emphasize?

<p>Behaviour and environment mutually influence each other. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primary factor does the behaviourist approach claim determines behaviour?

<p>Environmental stimuli and responses (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What describes the unconscious mind in psychodynamic theory?

<p>Houses repressed thoughts and unresolved conflicts. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these stages is NOT one of Freud's psychosexual stages?

<p>Ego (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the Id in Freud's tripartite personality model?

<p>Functions on the pleasure principle. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the emphasis of humanistic psychology compared to reductionist approaches?

<p>Supports holistic explanations for behavior. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which element is essential for self-actualization according to Carl Rogers?

<p>Congruence between perceived and ideal self. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does unconditional positive regard provide in client-centered therapy?

<p>An environment for self-discovery without conditions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does humanistic psychology view human behavior?

<p>As a product of free will and subjective experiences. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Maslow’s hierarchy, what needs must be satisfied before achieving self-actualization?

<p>All lower-level needs. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of fixation in psychosexual development imply?

<p>An excessive focus on a particular stage that affects personality. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which principle does the Ego operate on?

<p>Reality principle. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main critique humanistic psychologists have against other approaches?

<p>They are too simplistic and ignore complexities of human behavior. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which condition does not typically lead to incongruence in Rogers' theory?

<p>Achieving congruence between different aspects of self. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In humanistic psychology, what is a consequence of focusing too much on reductionism?

<p>A narrow view of behavior without consideration of context. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is vicarious reinforcement?

<p>Learning by observing the consequences of others' actions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the mental frameworks that help process information?

<p>Schemas (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes reciprocal determinism?

<p>The interaction between personal factors, behavior, and the environment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What method do cognitive psychologists primarily use to study mental processes?

<p>Controlled experiments in laboratory settings. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common critique of using computer models in psychology?

<p>They may oversimplify the complexities of human thought. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can faulty schemas impact mental health, particularly in depression?

<p>They can encourage unrealistic expectations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the brain is specifically associated with language production?

<p>Broca's area (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the diathesis-stress model related to?

<p>The interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental factors. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with mood regulation and well-being?

<p>Serotonin (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Freud, what is one of the main functions of defence mechanisms?

<p>To protect the conscious mind from anxiety. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which part of personality does Freud's id represent?

<p>Instinctual drives and desires. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the psychodynamic approach view childhood experiences?

<p>They play a crucial role in shaping future behavior. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of schemas in cognitive processing?

<p>To facilitate quick decision-making and predictions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'psychic determinism' in Freud's theory?

<p>Unconscious motives drive behavior. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is Psychology?

The scientific study of the brain and behavior. It emerged about 150 years ago and uses systematic, objective, and empirical methods.

What is Structuralism?

A method used in psychology to study the mind by breaking it down into its basic components.

What is Introspection?

A technique used in psychology where participants focus on their conscious experiences, reporting sensations and perceptions.

Who is Wilhelm Wundt?

Wilhelm Wundt, considered the father of experimental psychology, established the first psychological laboratory in Germany in the 1870s. He promoted psychology as a science and studied the structure of the mind using introspection.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is a weakness of Introspection?

Introspection is subjective, leading to biases and inaccurate results.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is Behaviorism?

A school of thought in psychology that focuses on observable behavior and its relationship to the environment. They reject studying internal mental states.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is Psychodynamics?

A school of thought in psychology that focuses on the unconscious mind and its influence on behavior. It emphasizes the role of early childhood experiences.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Who is Sigmund Freud?

Sigmund Freud developed psychodynamics, focusing on the unconscious mind, defence mechanisms, and psychosexual stages of development. His methods differed from Wundt's scientific approach, as he relied on case studies and psychoanalysis, not lab experiments.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Psychology

The study of the mind and behaviour.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Empiricism

A scientific approach that emphasizes objective observation and experimentation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Science

A systematic and objective way of understanding the natural world through observation, experimentation, and data analysis.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Wilhelm Wundt

A German psychologist who is considered the founder of experimental psychology.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Systematic

A systematic and structured approach to understanding a phenomenon, typically through controlled experiments.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Structuralism

An early school of psychology that focused on breaking down mental processes into their simplest components.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Objectivity

The quality of being unbiased and free from personal opinions or beliefs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Introspection

A method of self-examination used by early psychologists to understand their own thoughts and feelings.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Behaviorism

A psychological approach that focuses on observable behaviours and how they are learned through interaction with the environment.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Classical conditioning

A type of learning in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a conditioned stimulus, leading to a conditioned response.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Operant conditioning

A type of learning in which behaviours are strengthened or weakened based on their consequences.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Positive reinforcement

A stimulus that increases the likelihood of a behaviour by adding something pleasant.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Negative reinforcement

A stimulus that increases the likelihood of a behaviour by removing something unpleasant.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Punishment

A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behaviour.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Behaviour shaping

A process of gradually shaping a desired behaviour through reinforcement.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Holistic Approach

A process where behavior is explained by multiple interacting variables, making it difficult to study scientifically.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Free will

The belief that human behavior is not entirely predetermined and individuals have the power of choice.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Humanistic Psychology

Focuses on understanding the whole person, not just isolated aspects of behavior.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Client-Centered Therapy

A therapy approach that emphasizes the client's ability to find their own solutions, with the therapist providing support and unconditional positive regard.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Reductionism

The idea that all behavior can be explained by simple, basic units or factors.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

A hierarchy of needs, starting with basic survival needs and progressing to self-actualization.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Congruence

A state of consistency between the perceived self and the ideal self, leading to self-actualization.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Unconditional Positive Regard

Accepting and valuing a person without conditions or judgment.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Psychic Determinism

Freud's theory that the unconscious mind drives conscious behavior and shapes personality through conflicts in psychosexual stages.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Defence Mechanisms

Strategies used by the ego to protect the conscious mind from anxiety caused by unconscious conflicts.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Id

The part of the personality that seeks pleasure and immediate gratification.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ego

The part of the personality that mediates between the Id and Superego.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Superego

The part of the personality that represents morality and societal values.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Psychosexual Stages

Stages of psychosexual development where pleasure is focused on different erogenous zones.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Oedipus Complex

A complex where a boy develops sexual feelings for his mother and rivalry towards his father.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Schema

A mental framework that helps us process and predict information quickly, acting as a mental shortcut, but potentially leading to inaccuracies in recall.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Unconscious Mind

The unconscious part of the mind, containing repressed memories, desires, and instincts, according to Freud.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Reciprocal Determinism

A theory that explains behaviour through the interaction of biological, cognitive, and social factors, emphasizing their mutual influence.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Vicarious Reinforcement

Learning by observing and imitating the behaviour of others, especially if the model is rewarded or seen as successful.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Mediational Processes

The processes that occur between the observed behaviour and its imitation, including attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Live Model

A person who demonstrates a behaviour that is directly observed and imitated by the learner.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Symbolic Model

A non-living model used to demonstrate a behaviour, such as a video, book, or illustration.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Stimulus-Response Mechanism

A model of learning that focuses on simple stimulus-response connections, without considering cognitive processes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Bobo Doll Experiment

A famous experiment by Albert Bandura, where children observed an adult acting aggressively towards a Bobo doll, demonstrating the impact of observational learning on behaviour.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Nature

The idea that human behavior is largely determined by inherited biological factors, suggesting personalities are built-in.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Nurture

The belief that human behavior is primarily shaped by environmental influences, like upbringing and experiences.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Holism

The opposing view to reductionism, asserting that phenomena are best understood by considering the interaction of multiple components. For instance, studying how different parts of the brain work together.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Determinism

The assumption that all behavior has a cause, internal or external, making it predictable.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Environmental Determinism

The belief that external environmental factors, such as experiences and learned associations, shape our behaviors.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Genetic Determinism

The belief that biological factors, such as genes and neurochemistry, determine our behavior and personality.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Social Determinism

Similar to environmental determinism, but focuses on the impact of social influences, such as family and culture.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Soft Determinism

A softer form of determinism, acknowledging that we have some control over our choices, but within the limits of our knowledge and experiences.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Psychodynamic Approach

A psychological approach that focuses on the role of unconscious drives, early childhood experiences, and defense mechanisms in shaping personality and behavior.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cognitive Approach

A psychological approach that emphasizes the role of cognitive processes, such as thinking, memory, and problem-solving, in shaping behavior.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

The Origins of Psychology

  • Psychology is the scientific study of the brain and behaviour, emerging roughly 150 years ago.
  • Prior to psychology, behaviour was theorized by philosophers and the brain by medical practitioners.
  • Psychology is considered a science due to its use of systematic, objective, and empirical methods (observation and experimentation).

Wilhelm Wundt's Contributions

  • Wundt is considered the "father of experimental psychology."
  • He established the first psychology laboratory in the 1870s.
  • Structuralism, Wundt's approach, aimed to understand the structure of the mind by breaking it down into basic components.
  • Introspection was Wundt's method, where participants reported their conscious experiences (sensations, perceptions).

Evaluating Wundt's Introspection

  • Strengths include controlled experiments, replication, and large samples, increasing the scientific nature of psychology.
  • Weaknesses include introspection's subjectivity and potential bias, resulting in inaccurate results.
  • His work was influential on the development of cognitive psychology, though behaviourism later rejected studying internal mental states.

Behaviorism and Psychodynamics

  • Behaviorism, focusing on observable behaviours, rejects studying internal mental processes. Key theorists include Pavlov and Skinner.
  • Classical conditioning (Pavlov): Learning by association.
  • Operant conditioning (Skinner): Learning through consequences (reinforcement and punishment).
  • Psychodynamics (Freud): Focuses on the unconscious mind, defence mechanisms, and psychosexual stages of development. Freud's methods differed significantly from Wundt’s scientific approach.

The Behaviourist Approach

  • Behaviorism focuses on observable behaviors, neglecting internal mental processes.
  • It uses stimulus-response mechanisms to understand behavior.
  • Animal experiments are often used due to the ethical restrictions associated with human research.
  • Behaviorism posits that behavior is environmentally determined rather than innate.
  • Key theorists include Pavlov (classical conditioning) and Skinner (operant conditioning).
  • Classic examples of reinforcement strategies are: positive reinforcement (adding pleasant stimuli to increase a behaviour), negative reinforcement (removing unpleasant stimuli to increase a behaviour), punishment (decreasing behaviour through consequences).
  • Applications include therapy such as counter-conditioning for phobias, behaviour shaping in institutions, and classroom management.
  • Criticisms include that it's reductionist, overlooking internal processes and biological factors. Generalizing animal research to humans is also problematic due to human complexity.

Social Learning Theory

  • Social learning theory, proposed by Bandura, emphasizes learning through observation of others.
  • It differs from behaviourism by incorporating mediational processes (attention, retention, reproduction, motivation).
  • Vicarious reinforcement and punishment influence behavior based on observing others' experiences.
  • Bandura's Bobo Doll experiment demonstrated modeling and imitation of aggressive behavior.
  • Limitations include reduced external and ecological validity due to controlled laboratory settings.

The Cognitive Approach

  • Cognitive psychology compares the brain to a computer.
  • Studying mental processes (e.g., perception, memory, attention) is done using controlled experiments.
  • Schemas, mental frameworks, help process information but can also lead to biases.
  • Faulty schemas relate to mental health conditions like depression.
  • Computer & Theoretical models are used for testable predictions, though limited by machine reductionism.
  • Cognitive neuroscience connects brain structures to cognitive functions.

The Biological Approach

  • The biological approach explains behavior through biological factors (structures, neurochemistry, genetics, and evolution).
  • Neurotransmitters (like serotonin, dopamine) influence behavior.
  • The endocrine system regulates behavior via hormones.
  • Genes interact with the environment to influence disorders.
  • Evidence shows specific brain structures relate to specific functions.
  • Research on effectiveness of SSRIs on OCD and depression demonstrates the role of neurotransmitters.

The Psychodynamic Approach

  • Psychodynamics emphasizes the unconscious mind's role in behaviour.
  • Psychic determinism suggests childhood experiences influence adult behavior.
  • Freud's tripartite personality model (Id, Ego, Superego) describes the interplay of unconscious drives and conscious control.
  • Defence mechanisms (e.g., repression, denial) protect the conscious mind from anxiety.
  • Psychosexual stages (oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital) describe development through conflicts and fixations.
  • While influential, the approach is not without its criticisms and controversies.

The Humanistic Approach

  • Humanistic psychology rejects the scientific method and reductionism, emphasizing holistic perspectives.
  • It asserts free will and personal agency in shaping behaviour.
  • Maslow's hierarchy of needs (physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, self-actualization) outlines motivating factors.
  • Rogers' self-concept and congruence between the perceived self and ideal self are key.
  • Unconditional positive regard is crucial in client-centered therapy.

Child Development

  • Psychodynamic theory proposes stage-based psychosexual development with childhood experiences being paramount.
  • The cognitive approach recognizes schema development across childhood.
  • The biological approach highlights the role of maturation in physiological and behavioural development.
  • Humanistic approach stresses ongoing self-development, with important childhood relationship influences.
  • Behaviourists and Social Learning theorists don't propose stage theories, focusing instead on continuous learning processes.

Nature vs. Nurture

  • The debate about nature (inheritance) versus nurture (environment and experience) varies greatly across psychological approaches.
  • Behaviourists see humans as "blank slates", with learning shaping behavior.
  • Biological approaches emphasize genetics.
  • Other approaches acknowledge both nature and nurture influences.

Reductionism

  • Reductionism breaks down complex behavior into simpler parts.
  • The biological, behavioural and Cognitive approaches are typically more reductionist.
  • Humanistic psychology is holistic.

Determinism

  • Determinism suggests all behaviour has a cause, making it predictable.
  • Different approaches have different types of determinism (e.g., environmental, genetic, unconscious).
  • Soft determinism acknowledges influence of factors while maintaining agency.
  • Humanism asserts free will, contrasting with other approaches.

Treatment of Abnormality

  • Behaviourism aims to condition new, adaptive responses for treatments of phobias or other issues.
  • The biological perspective enables development of drug therapy.
  • Psychodynamic therapies aim to uncover and resolve unconscious conflicts.
  • Cognitive therapies aim to identify and change faulty thinking.
  • Humanistic therapy promotes positive self-image and personal growth.

Studying That Suits You

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

Quiz Team

Description

Explore the foundations of psychology, focusing on its emergence as a scientific discipline in the last 150 years. This quiz also delves into Wilhelm Wundt's pivotal role in establishing experimental psychology and his method of introspection to analyze human consciousness.

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser