Origins of Psychology and Wundt's Contributions

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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?

Behaviorism focuses strictly on observable actions instead of internal processes. Signup and view all the answers

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

The exploration of unconscious processes and defense mechanisms. Signup and view all the answers

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

It could lead to biased or inaccurate self-reports. Signup and view all the answers

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

They viewed the mind as inaccessible and preferred measurable behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What approach did Freud take to study psychological phenomena?

He developed theories based on unconscious motivations and early experiences. Signup and view all the answers

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

Genetic inheritance Signup and view all the answers

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

Behaviourism Signup and view all the answers

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

Psychic determinism Signup and view all the answers

Which feature distinguishes humanistic psychology from other approaches?

Assertion of free will Signup and view all the answers

How does the cognitive approach differ from strict determinism?

It allows for individual choices within limits Signup and view all the answers

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

Systematic desensitisation Signup and view all the answers

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

Reduction of complex behaviour to machine-like processes Signup and view all the answers

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

Humanistic psychology Signup and view all the answers

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

Reciprocal determinism Signup and view all the answers

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

Behaviourism Signup and view all the answers

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

To reformulate faulty thinking Signup and view all the answers

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

Unconscious conflicts Signup and view all the answers

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

Drug therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the behaviourist approach?

Observable behaviours Signup and view all the answers

How does classical conditioning differ from operant conditioning?

Classical conditioning is about involuntary responses. Signup and view all the answers

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

Human complexity and social factors are often overlooked. Signup and view all the answers

In what way is behaviourism considered reductionist?

It oversimplifies behaviour by ignoring social learning. Signup and view all the answers

Which concept is central to understanding social learning theory?

Vicarious learning Signup and view all the answers

What role do mediational processes play in social learning theory?

They facilitate the understanding of cognitive processes during observation. Signup and view all the answers

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

It promotes imitation of observed behaviours. Signup and view all the answers

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

Inconsistent results across different contexts. Signup and view all the answers

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

Manipulative techniques in behaviour shaping. Signup and view all the answers

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

Live models are observed in person, while symbolic models are media figures. Signup and view all the answers

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

Positive reinforcement increases behaviour by adding pleasant stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

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

Behaviour and environment mutually influence each other. Signup and view all the answers

What primary factor does the behaviourist approach claim determines behaviour?

Environmental stimuli and responses Signup and view all the answers

What describes the unconscious mind in psychodynamic theory?

Houses repressed thoughts and unresolved conflicts. Signup and view all the answers

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

Ego Signup and view all the answers

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

Functions on the pleasure principle. Signup and view all the answers

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

Supports holistic explanations for behavior. Signup and view all the answers

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

Congruence between perceived and ideal self. Signup and view all the answers

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

An environment for self-discovery without conditions. Signup and view all the answers

How does humanistic psychology view human behavior?

As a product of free will and subjective experiences. Signup and view all the answers

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

All lower-level needs. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of fixation in psychosexual development imply?

An excessive focus on a particular stage that affects personality. Signup and view all the answers

Which principle does the Ego operate on?

Reality principle. Signup and view all the answers

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

They are too simplistic and ignore complexities of human behavior. Signup and view all the answers

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

Achieving congruence between different aspects of self. Signup and view all the answers

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

A narrow view of behavior without consideration of context. Signup and view all the answers

What is vicarious reinforcement?

Learning by observing the consequences of others' actions. Signup and view all the answers

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

Schemas Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes reciprocal determinism?

The interaction between personal factors, behavior, and the environment. Signup and view all the answers

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

Controlled experiments in laboratory settings. Signup and view all the answers

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

They may oversimplify the complexities of human thought. Signup and view all the answers

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

They can encourage unrealistic expectations. Signup and view all the answers

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

Broca's area Signup and view all the answers

What is the diathesis-stress model related to?

The interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Signup and view all the answers

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

Serotonin Signup and view all the answers

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

To protect the conscious mind from anxiety. Signup and view all the answers

Which part of personality does Freud's id represent?

Instinctual drives and desires. Signup and view all the answers

How does the psychodynamic approach view childhood experiences?

They play a crucial role in shaping future behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of schemas in cognitive processing?

To facilitate quick decision-making and predictions. Signup and view all the answers

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

Unconscious motives drive behavior. Signup and view all the answers

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, 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.

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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.