Psychology History and Structuralism

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Questions and Answers

What did Wilhelm Wundt establish in 1879?

The theory of Functionalism

The Gestalt movement

The principles of Behaviorism

The first psychology laboratory (correct)

Which approach focuses on observable behavior?

Functionalism

Behaviorism (correct)

Structuralism

Gestalt Psychology

What is the primary focus of Functionalism as introduced by William James?

Describing the structure of consciousness

Breaking down mental processes

Only studying observable behaviors

Understanding the mental state by its functions (correct)

What is operant conditioning?

A learning technique using rewards and punishments Signup and view all the answers

What does the hypothesis in a scientific study represent?

A clear predictive statement Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of researchers when results contradict the hypothesis?

To abandon or modify the hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'replicability' imply in scientific studies?

Methods must be detailed for others to repeat the study Signup and view all the answers

What does Gestalt psychology emphasize?

The configuration of elements as a unified whole Signup and view all the answers

What principle is exemplified by Wertheimer's perception that 'the whole is greater than its parts'?

Gestalt psychology Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of a scientific theory according to the content?

It can be falsified. Signup and view all the answers

Which concept refers to the obligation to provide evidence supporting one's claims?

Burden of proof Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of positive psychology as described in the content?

To understand psychological thriving Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of Occam's Razor suggest in scientific theory development?

Favoring simpler explanations when possible Signup and view all the answers

Which psychological approach emphasizes internal processes and the role of the unconscious mind?

Psychoanalysis Signup and view all the answers

In conducting psychological research, what is typically used to define concepts clearly?

Operational definitions Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of meta-analysis in psychological research?

To synthesize findings from multiple studies Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the ability to perceive hidden objects or events?

Clairvoyance Signup and view all the answers

What type of sample consists of groups from at least two different cultures?

Cross-Cultural Sample Signup and view all the answers

What is Experimenter Bias?

Distortion of study results by the researcher Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of using blinding procedures in research?

To conceal the treatment information Signup and view all the answers

What is a major challenge in conducting Cross-Cultural Research?

Language barriers Signup and view all the answers

What does a Case History focus on?

A detailed description of a single individual Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Psychokinesis?

Influence physical events with the mind Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Hawthorne effect' refer to?

Altered behavior due to awareness of being observed Signup and view all the answers

What does an operational definition specify?

The procedures used to measure or produce something Signup and view all the answers

Which type of population sample ensures every individual has an equal chance of being selected?

Random Sample Signup and view all the answers

What claim do supporters of extrasensory perception (ESP) make?

Some individuals acquire information without any known energy Signup and view all the answers

Who demonstrated that Hans the horse’s behavior could be explained through facial expressions?

Oskar Pfungst Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining feature of a convenience sample?

It is chosen based on ease of study Signup and view all the answers

In parsimony, how is the behavior of Hans the horse explained?

By simple responses to external stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of a representative sample?

It matches the demographics of the population being studied Signup and view all the answers

What mathematical operations could Hans the horse perform?

Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Psychology

Structuralism: Originates from the Latin word for knowledge; focuses on breaking down mental processes into their components.
1879: Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, marking psychology's emergence as a scientific discipline.

Early Psychological Theories

Functionalism (William James): Emphasizes the purpose of consciousness and mental processes, arguing they cannot be merely broken down into parts.
Behaviorism (B.F. Skinner, Ivan Pavlov): Concentrates solely on observable behavior, positing that all behavior is shaped by environmental influences. Key concept: operant conditioning, where behaviors are learned through rewards and punishments.

Key Experiments

Little Albert Experiment (John B. Watson): Demonstrates classical conditioning in humans, illustrating how emotional responses can be conditioned.
Extrasensory Perception (ESP): Claims that individuals can receive information without sensory input, proposing phenomena like telepathy and clairvoyance.

Psychological Research Methodology

Hypothesis: A predictive statement that guides research; must be capable of being tested.
Scientific Methods: Utilize various methods with defined strengths and weaknesses to gather evidence, leading to conclusions.
Replicability: The study's methods must allow others to replicate the research, reinforcing credibility.

Evaluating Scientific Theory

Theory: A well-supported explanation that integrates multiple observations and makes predictions.
Falsifiability: The ability for a theory to be disproven if evidence contradicts it; essential for scientific validity.
Burden of Proof: Researchers must provide substantial evidence to support claims, ensuring claims are compelling.

Psychological Constructs

Operational Definition: Clearly defines variables based on how they are measured or produced in research, ensuring clarity in communication and understanding.
Nostradamus: Historical figure known for his ambiguous predictions that people reinterpret post-event, demonstrating how beliefs can be shaped by hindsight.

Research Samples

Convenience Sample: Acquiring subjects based on ease of access, which may not represent the broader population.
Representative Sample: Participants reflect the demographics of the larger population by matching key characteristics in selection.
Random Sample: Each individual has an equal chance of selection, enhancing the study's validity.
Cross-Cultural Sample: Involves diverse groups from different cultural backgrounds, presenting challenges in obtaining reliable data.

Bias in Research

Experimenter Bias: Potential distortion in either methodology or results influenced by the researcher's expectations.
Subject Bias: Participants may modify their behavior due to awareness of being observed (Hawthorne effect).

Research Designs

Naturalistic Observation: Observation of individuals in their natural environment to study behaviors as they occur.
Case History: Comprehensive exploration of an individual’s life, focusing on medical, psychological, and historical contexts to better understand unique circumstances.

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Description

Explore the foundations of psychology with a focus on structuralism. This quiz covers key figures like Wilhelm Wundt and the introduction of experimental methods in psychological research. Test your knowledge on the scientific aspects and historical context of psychology.