Psychology Chapter 1 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is psychology?

The study of animals

A form of philosophy

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes (correct)

The study of human emotions

What characterizes scientific methods in psychology?

Systematic observation and drawing conclusions.

What is behavior?

Everything we do that can be directly observed.

What are mental processes?

Thoughts, feelings, and motives that cannot be observed directly. Signup and view all the answers

What is critical thinking?

The process of reflecting deeply and actively, asking questions, and evaluating the evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the empirical method?

Gaining knowledge through observation, data collection, and logical reasoning. Signup and view all the answers

What is positive psychology?

A branch of psychology that emphasizes human strengths. Signup and view all the answers

What are the core attitudes of the scientific approach?

Critical thinking, skepticism, objectivity, curiosity. Signup and view all the answers

What did Freud believe about human behavior?

Most human behavior is caused by dark, unpleasant, unconscious impulses. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Wilhelm Wundt?

A German philosopher-physician who created the discipline of psychology. Signup and view all the answers

What was significant about Wundt's telegraph experiment?

It was an effort to measure mental processes scientifically. Signup and view all the answers

What is structuralism?

The approach to discovering the basic elements of mental processes. Signup and view all the answers

How does functionalism differ from structuralism?

Functionalism focuses on the functions and purposes of the mind and behavior. Signup and view all the answers

James described the mind as a _____ of consciousness.

stream Signup and view all the answers

What is natural selection?

An evolutionary process where better-adapted organisms survive and reproduce. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if a characteristic of an organism is adaptive?

It helps the organism compete for food, survive, and reproduce. Signup and view all the answers

How is Darwin's work relevant to psychology?

It is strongly supported by observation. Signup and view all the answers

What does the biological approach focus on?

The body, especially the brain and nervous system. Signup and view all the answers

What is neuroscience?

The study of the nervous system in relation to behavior and thought. Signup and view all the answers

What does the behavioral approach emphasize?

The scientific study of observable behavioral responses. Signup and view all the answers

What did B.F. Skinner emphasize about psychology?

It should focus on actions and behaviors, not unseen thoughts or feelings. Signup and view all the answers

What is the psychodynamic approach?

An approach focusing on unconscious thought and early childhood experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What does the humanistic approach focus on?

A person's positive qualities and potential for growth. Signup and view all the answers

What does the cognitive approach focus on?

Mental processes such as attention, perception, and memory. Signup and view all the answers

What is the evolutionary approach?

An approach focusing on adaptation, reproduction, and natural selection. Signup and view all the answers

What are the key differences between cognitive and psychodynamic approaches?

Cognitive focuses on mental processes; psychodynamic focuses on unconscious thought. Signup and view all the answers

How do biological and evolutionary perspectives on psychology compare?

Both focus on behavior and mental processes but differ in emphasis on physiology vs evolution. Signup and view all the answers

What ideas does Skinner's behaviorist approach emphasize?

Psychology should focus on observable behaviors, not internal mental states. Signup and view all the answers

What careers might someone with a graduate degree in psychology pursue?

Work as therapists, counselors, researchers, or educators. Signup and view all the answers

What are important distinctions between a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist?

A clinical psychologist has a doctorate in psychology; a psychiatrist is a medical doctor. Signup and view all the answers

Name five areas of specialization in psychology.

Physiological psychology, sensation and perception, learning, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology. Signup and view all the answers

What has psychology recognized about the relationship between the mind and the body?

The mind is intricately connected to the body. Signup and view all the answers

What mental processes might be involved in changing your physical body?

Commitment, goal setting, and self-discipline. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of the body's impact on the mind?

Diet affecting brain function, routine influencing thoughts, dopamine affecting behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts in Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Science involves systematic methods to observe and draw conclusions about natural phenomena, including behavior.

Behavior and Mental Processes

Behavior encompasses all directly observable actions.
Mental processes include thoughts, feelings, and motives that are not visible.

Critical Thinking in Psychology

Critical thinking involves deep reflection, questioning, and evaluating evidence.
Empirical methods focus on gaining knowledge through observation, data collection, and logical reasoning.

Branches of Psychology

Positive psychology emphasizes human strengths and well-being.

Goals of Psychological Science

Psychological research aims to describe, predict, and explain behavior, as well as control or change it.

Attitudes Core to Scientific Approach

Four core attitudes: Critical thinking, skepticism, objectivity, curiosity.

Freudian Influence

Freud proposed that human behavior is largely driven by unconscious impulses.
He viewed human nature as inherently flawed, based on his clinical experiences.

Wilhelm Wundt

Wundt, known as the founder of modern psychology, integrated philosophy with natural sciences.
His 1879 experiment at the University of Leipzig measured reaction time, marking the birth of psychology.

Introspection and Structuralism

Introspection involves self-examination of thoughts and feelings.
Structuralism focuses on identifying the basic structures of the mind through introspection.

William James and Functionalism

James introduced functionalism, emphasizing the purpose of mental processes rather than their structures.
He viewed the mind as fluid and evolving, coining the term "stream of consciousness."

Evolutionary Basis in Psychology

Natural selection describes how adaptive traits enhance survival and reproduction.
Evolutionary approaches in psychology explain behaviors through adaptation and selective pressures.

Approaches to Psychology

The biological approach examines the brain's role in behavior.
Neuroscience studies the nervous system's structure and function.
The behavioral approach prioritizes observable behaviors over internal thoughts.
B.F. Skinner emphasized behavior shaped by rewards and punishments.
The psychodynamic approach explores unconscious conflicts and early experiences.
Humanistic psychology focuses on positive growth and personal freedom.
Cognitive psychology looks at mental processes like perception and memory.
The sociocultural approach studies how social and cultural environments shape behavior.

Distinctions and Specializations

Differences between cognitive and psychodynamic approaches: Cognitive focuses on mental processes; psychodynamic emphasizes unconscious influences.
Clinical psychologists (Ph.D.) vs. psychiatrists (M.D.); only psychiatrists can prescribe medication.

Areas of Specialization in Psychology

Physiological psychology: Investigates biological processes related to mental functions.
Sensation and perception: Studies systems and processes that allow sensory experiences.
Learning: Examines behavior changes due to environmental interactions.
Cognitive psychology: Analyzes attention, memory, and information processing.
Developmental psychology: Explores human growth from conception to death.

Mind-Body Connection

The mind and body exhibit intricate relationships; changes in mental processes affect physical outcomes.
Mental processes essential for physical changes include commitment, goal-setting, and self-discipline.

Examples of Body-Mind Impact

Diet impacts brain function through the brain-gut connection.
Daily routines affect behavior due to circadian rhythms.
Reward systems involving dopamine influence behavior patterns.

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Explore key concepts from Chapter 1 of McGraw Hill Connect Psychology with these flashcards. Test your understanding of fundamental terms like psychology, science, behavior, and mental processes. Perfect for quick review and retention.