Psychology Chapter 1.3-1.4 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are shamans?

Medicine men or women who treat people with mental problems by driving out their demons with elaborate rituals, such as exorcisms, incantations, and prayers.

What is psychoanalysis?

A clinically based approach to understanding and treating psychological disorders; assumes that the unconscious mind is the most powerful force behind thought and behavior.

What does psychoanalysis assume about psychological defenses?

It assumes that people use psychological defenses to protect themselves against threatening impulses, thoughts, feelings, and fantasies.

What is empiricism?

The view that all knowledge and thoughts come from experience. Signup and view all the answers

What is structuralism?

The 19th-century school of psychology that argued that breaking down experience into its elemental parts offers the best way to understand thought and behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is functionalism?

The 19th-century school of psychology that argued it was better to look at why the mind works the way it does than to describe its parts. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three early schools of thought in psychology?

Structuralism, functionalism, psychoanalysis. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the first psychologists?

Greek philosophers. Signup and view all the answers

Who set up the first laboratory and is known as the birthplace of experimental psychology?

Wilhelm Wundt. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the founder of American psychology?

William James. Signup and view all the answers

What is behaviorism?

A school of psychology which proposed that psychology can be a true science only if it examines observable behavior, not ideas, thoughts, feelings, or motives. Signup and view all the answers

A behaviorist might study...

Learning through conditioning Signup and view all the answers

Whom is most associated with the functionalist movement?

William James Signup and view all the answers

A cognitive psychologist is most likely interested in...

The process of thinking Signup and view all the answers

A psychologist who studies logical reasoning is _____________ psychologist.

cognitive Signup and view all the answers

In which field of psychology is a professor likely working if she studies how the size of the amygdala affects a child's tendency to become a bully?

Behavioral neuroscience. Signup and view all the answers

____________ is an historical approach advocated by William James that concentrated on mental processes and the purposes of the mind and behavior in the individual's adaptation to the environment.

Functionalism Signup and view all the answers

Clinical psychologists...

Promote psychological health Signup and view all the answers

What does softwiring refer to?

In contrast to hardwiring, biological systems—genes, brain structures, brain cells—are inherited but open to modification from the environment. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'nature through nurture' mean?

The position that the environment constantly interacts with biology to shape who we are and what we do. Signup and view all the answers

Mind body dualism states that the mind and the body are __________ entities.

separate Signup and view all the answers

Who proposed the idea of mind body dualism?

Rene Descartes. Signup and view all the answers

What does evolution mean?

Change over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is evolution in terms of genetics?

This is the change over time in the frequency with which specific genes occur within a breeding species. Signup and view all the answers

What is natural selection?

A feedback process whereby nature favors one design over another because it has an impact on reproduction. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts in Psychology

Shamans: Medicine individuals using rituals, such as exorcisms, to address mental problems.
Psychoanalysis: An approach to understanding psychological disorders focusing on the unconscious mind and childhood experiences.
Psychological Defenses: People employ psychological defenses to guard against threatening impulses, particularly sexual and aggressive ones.
Empiricism: Knowledge and thoughts derive solely from experience.
Structuralism: 19th-century school emphasizing the breakdown of experiences into elemental parts for understanding thought and behavior.
Functionalism: Focuses on why the mind functions as it does rather than its components.

Early Schools of Thought

Foundational Schools: Structuralism, functionalism, and psychoanalysis are the three early schools of thought in psychology.
Greek Philosophers: Recognized as the first psychologists, contributing significantly to early psychological theories.
Wilhelm Wundt: Established the first laboratory dedicated to experimental psychology, pivotal in structuralism.
William James: Recognized as the founder of American psychology and the proponent of functionalism.

Behaviorism and Other Psychological Fields

Behaviorism: Argues that psychology is a true science only if it studies observable behavior, excluding thoughts and feelings.
Cognitive Psychology: Focuses on thinking processes, including logical reasoning.
Behavioral Neuroscience: Studies the influence of brain structures, such as the amygdala, on behavior like bullying.

Psychological Approaches and Methods

Functionalism: Advocated by William James, emphasizes mental processes and adaptability to the environment.
Clinical Psychologists: Research treatment methods for mental disorders and promote psychological health. They may hold an MED.
Cognitive Psychologist: Interested in the mechanisms of thinking and logical reasoning.

Nature, Nurture, and Biological Concepts

Softwiring: Refers to biological systems that are adaptable through environmental influences, contrasting with hardwiring.
Nature Through Nurture: Explains the ongoing interaction between the environment and biology in shaping behavior.
Mind-Body Dualism: The philosophical concept positing that the mind and body are distinct entities, theorized by René Descartes.

Evolutionary Concepts

Change: Refers to evolution and the adaptation of species over time.
Evolution: The process describing changes in gene frequency within breeding species over time.
Natural Selection: A process where nature favors specific traits that enhance reproductive success.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key concepts in Psychology chapters 1.3 and 1.4 with these flashcards. Learn about important terms such as shamans and psychoanalysis, which are fundamental to understanding mental health treatment. Boost your understanding of psychological disorders and their historical context.