Psychology Chapter 1 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is psychology?

The study of behavior and the mental processes (correct)

The study of only behavior

The study of physical health

The study of mental processes only

What does dualism refer to?

Divides everything into body and spirit

Who believed that mind and body interact?

René Descartes

What is the pineal gland according to Descartes?

The place where mind and body interact Signup and view all the answers

Who started empiricism?

John Locke Signup and view all the answers

What does empiricism mean?

Acquisition of truth through observations and experiences Signup and view all the answers

Who started materialism?

Thomas Hobbes Signup and view all the answers

What is materialism?

Belief that the only things that exist are matter and energy Signup and view all the answers

Who started evolutionary theory?

Charles Darwin Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered the founder of the science of psychology?

Wilhelm Wundt Signup and view all the answers

Who started structuralism?

Edward Titchener Signup and view all the answers

What is structuralism concerned with?

The structure and parts of the mind Signup and view all the answers

What does functionalism focus on?

The functions of the mind Signup and view all the answers

What is biological psychology?

Field of psychology that seeks to understand the interactions between anatomy and behavior Signup and view all the answers

What studies observable behavior?

Behavioral psychology Signup and view all the answers

What is classical conditioning?

When an animal or person learns to associate a stimulus with a reinforcement or aversion Signup and view all the answers

Who started classical conditioning?

Ivan Pavlov Signup and view all the answers

Who applied classical conditioning to humans in Little Albert?

John Watson Signup and view all the answers

Who started operant conditioning?

B.F. Skinner Signup and view all the answers

What is operant conditioning?

Subject learns that a behavioral response will have an environmental outcome Signup and view all the answers

What is behavior modification?

A set of techniques in which psychological problems are considered to be a product of learned habits Signup and view all the answers

What does cognitive psychology emphasize?

Higher mental processes Signup and view all the answers

What does humanistic psychology study?

The roles of consciousness, free will, and awareness of the human condition Signup and view all the answers

Who started self-actualization?

Abraham Maslow Signup and view all the answers

What is self-actualization?

The desire for individuals to reach their full potential Signup and view all the answers

Who started psychoanalytic theory?

Sigmund Freud Signup and view all the answers

What does psychoanalytic theory distinguish?

Between consciousness and unconsciousness Signup and view all the answers

What concerns cultural values?

Sociocultural psychology Signup and view all the answers

What does evolutionary psychology consider?

How behavior is influenced by our genetic inheritance from our ancestors Signup and view all the answers

What is behavioral genetics?

Rapidly growing area in psychology that focuses on biological mechanisms such as genes and chromosomes Signup and view all the answers

What unites the areas of neuroscience and clinical psychology?

Clinical neuropsychology Signup and view all the answers

What does experimental psychology study?

Methodological study of sensing, perceiving, learning, and thinking Signup and view all the answers

What does developmental psychology study?

Changes in behavior over the life span Signup and view all the answers

What does personality psychology examine?

Consistencies in people's behavior over time and traits that differentiate us from one another Signup and view all the answers

What does health psychology explore?

Relationship between psychological factors and physical ailments or disease Signup and view all the answers

What does clinical psychology investigate?

Diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders Signup and view all the answers

What does social psychology study?

How people are affected by others Signup and view all the answers

What does cross-cultural psychology focus on?

Similarities and differences in psychological functioning across cultures and ethnic groups Signup and view all the answers

What is phrenology?

Gave idea of localization of specific areas in the brain Signup and view all the answers

What is a Master's Degree in the context of psychology?

Unless you work for Exampt (MH&MR or Gov't) can't prescribe drugs except in military Signup and view all the answers

What is a psychiatrist?

Medical Doctor who can prescribe medication Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts in Psychology

Psychology: The scientific study of behavior and mental processes, encompassing both observable actions and internal activities.
Behavior: Refers to observable actions of individuals and animals, providing a basis for psychological assessment.
Dualism: The philosophical belief that divides existence into two distinct entities: body and spirit.

Influential Figures and Theories

René Descartes: Proposed the interaction between mind and body, suggesting the pineal gland as the interaction point.
John Locke: Initiated empiricism, emphasizing truth gained through observeable experiences.
Thomas Hobbes: Introduced materialism, asserting that only matter and energy exist.
Charles Darwin: Founded evolutionary theory, impacting understanding of psychological development.

Foundations of Psychological Science

Wilhelm Wundt: Credited as the founder of psychology as a formal discipline, establishing the first psychological laboratory.
Edward Titchener: Originated structuralism, focusing on the structure and components of the mind.
Functionalism: Emphasizes the purpose of mental processes in adaptation to the environment.

Branches of Psychology

Biological Psychology: Explores relationships between biological processes and behaviors.
Behavioral Psychology: Focuses on observable behavior, steering away from internal mental states.
Cognitive Psychology: Investigates higher mental processes, understanding behavior through cognitive functions.
Humanistic Psychology: Highlights consciousness and free will, investigating the human experience.
Sociocultural Psychology: Examines the influence of cultural values on behavior and mental processes.
Evolutionary Psychology: Analyzes how evolution and genetics influence behavior.
Behavioral Genetics: Studies genetic influences on behavior, linking biology and psychology.
Clinical Neuropsychology: Merges neuroscience with clinical psychology, focusing on biological origins of disorders.

Learning Theories

Classical Conditioning: A learning process where an organism learns to associate a neutral stimulus with a significant one (Ivan Pavlov was pivotal in this development).
Operant Conditioning: A behavior modification approach where behavior is shaped by environmental outcomes (initiated by B.F. Skinner).

Psychological Applications

Behavior Modification: Techniques aimed at altering behavior based on learned habits.
Developmental Psychology: Studies behavioral changes throughout life, from conception to old age.
Health Psychology: Investigates the interaction between psychological factors and physical health.
Clinical Psychology: Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders.
Social Psychology: Explores how individuals are influenced by social interactions.

Concepts in Specialized Psychology

Cross-Cultural Psychology: Highlights differences and similarities in psychological functioning across various cultures.
Phrenology: Early theory suggesting that different areas of the brain correspond to specific mental functions, leading to the idea of localization.

Educational Pathways

Master's Degree: Important for certain professional paths in psychology; specific regulations may limit autonomy in prescribing medication.
Psychiatrist: A medical doctor specializing in mental health, capable of diagnosing and treating psychological disorders.

Notable Theorists

Abraham Maslow: Known for his theory of self-actualization, outlining the desire for individuals to achieve their fullest potential.
Sigmund Freud: Innovated psychoanalytic theory, emphasizing the distinction between conscious and unconscious processes.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key terms and definitions from Psychology Chapter 1. This quiz covers fundamental concepts such as psychology itself, behavior, dualism, and influential figures like René Descartes. Perfect for students to reinforce their understanding of introductory psychology.