Psychology Overview: Behaviorism and More

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Questions and Answers

What do Watson and Skinner emphasize in their behaviorist approach?

The influence of biological factors on behavior

The importance of unconscious psychological struggles

The cognitive processes involved in decision making

The role of observable behavior and learning through stimuli (correct)

What did Charles Darwin contribute to the understanding of behavior?

The establishment of the first psychology research lab

The theory that behavior and mental processes evolve through natural selection (correct)

The idea of behavior as a reflection of unconscious struggles

The concept of operant conditioning

Which approach assumes knowledge is not innate but rather influenced by experience?

Psychodynamic approach

Biological approach

Empiricism (correct)

Humanistic approach

According to the psychodynamic approach, behavior is primarily shaped by what?

Unconscious psychological struggles Signup and view all the answers

What does the cognitive approach focus on?

The processes of perception, memory, and decision making Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the humanistic approach in psychology?

Behavior is determined by each person's capacity to choose and perceive the world Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of the biological approach in psychology?

The significance of biological processes like hormones and genes Signup and view all the answers

Behaviorism primarily studies the connection between which two elements?

Observable behavior and environmental stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the just noticeable difference as stimulus magnitude increases?

It gets larger. Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of converting incoming energy into neural activity called?

Transduction Signup and view all the answers

How is the perception of stimulus intensity related to its actual strength according to Fechner's Law?

They are logarithmically related. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes what amplitude is in the context of sound?

The difference between the peak and the baseline of a waveform. Signup and view all the answers

What does Weber's Law help to identify?

The smallest difference between stimuli that can be detected. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes sensory adaptation?

Decreased responsiveness to an unchanging stimulus over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of neural receptors?

To transduce energy into neural activity. Signup and view all the answers

What unit is used to describe the frequency of sound waves?

Hertz Signup and view all the answers

What are the three D's used to understand behavior in psychological disorders?

Deviance, distress, dysfunction Signup and view all the answers

Which model views psychological disorders as arising from a combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors?

Biopsychosocial approach Signup and view all the answers

What does the diathesis-stress model explain about psychological disorders?

They arise due to a combination of predisposition and stress. Signup and view all the answers

What does psychoanalysis primarily aim to help clients achieve?

Gain insight into unconscious thoughts Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes humanistic psychologists' view on human behavior?

Individuals can consciously control actions and take responsibility. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of clinical neuropsychologists?

Assessing patients to understand neuropsychological problems. Signup and view all the answers

Which therapy aims to change clients' thinking and behavior through learned methods?

Cognitive behavior therapy Signup and view all the answers

What does the medical model, or neurobiological model, suggest about psychological disorders?

They reflect disturbances in brain anatomy and chemistry. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the nature of emotional expressions?

Emotional expressions can have both innate and learned components. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the sympathetic nervous system play in emotional experiences?

It prepares the body for fight or flight responses to threats. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the process of attribution in the context of emotions?

It is critical for understanding cognitive theories of emotions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding universal emotional expressions?

Certain emotions like sadness, anger, and happiness have specific universal expressions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes health psychology?

It aims to prevent illness and promote human health through research. Signup and view all the answers

How do social rules influence emotional expressions?

They modify the way emotions are expressed in different contexts. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential challenge for prison officers with respect to wellbeing?

Managing high levels of occupational stress. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors can significantly impact the relationship between stress and performance?

Stress levels affecting the motivation to perform tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What does the principle of localisation of function suggest?

Specific psychological functions are linked to specific brain areas. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a stroke?

A loss of blood supply affecting brain function. Signup and view all the answers

What are modules in the context of brain function?

Distinct areas performing unique analyses of information. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of neuropsychological assessment?

To locate problems in the brain associated with neuropsychological symptoms. Signup and view all the answers

Which brain dysfunction mechanism is likely to result in symptoms specific to an affected brain area?

Cerebrovascular accident (stroke). Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is associated with traumatic brain injury?

Non-specific symptoms due to movement within the skull. Signup and view all the answers

What does lesion analysis study to connect psychological functions to brain areas?

Patients with specific brain damage and comparing their functions. Signup and view all the answers

What are amnestic disorders primarily characterized by?

Loss of memory and consciousness disturbances. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Behaviorism

John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner were key figures in the development of behaviorism, focusing on observable behavior and its relationship to environmental stimuli.
Behaviorism aims to explain behavior through learning principles, specifically operant conditioning.

History of Psychology

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, emphasising natural selection, impacted psychology.
Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology research laboratory in 1879.

Approaches to Psychology

The Biological Approach posits that our behaviour and mental processes are shaped by biological factors, such as hormones and genes.
The Evolutionary Approach applies Darwin's theory of evolution to understand human behavior and mental processes, assuming they are the result of natural selection.
The Psychodynamic Approach focuses on unconscious psychological conflicts, rooted in the work of Sigmund Freud.
The Cognitive Approach is interested in how we perceive, process, and use information in shaping our behavior, emphasizing mental representations and cognitive processes.
The Humanistic Approach (also known as the Phenomenological Approach) believes that individuals have the capacity to make choices and guide their own actions, with behavior driven by personal perceptions and a drive for growth.

Senses and Perception

Sensory systems are responsible for translating information from the environment into neural activity.
Sensations are the raw information received from the senses, influencing behavior and mental processes.
Neural receptors are specialized cells that detect specific forms of energy and convert them into neural activity.
Transduction is the process of converting incoming energy into neural activity.
Sensory adaptation occurs when our responsiveness to an unchanging stimulus decreases over time.

Psychophysics

Psychophysics investigates the relationship between physical characteristics of stimuli and our psychological experiences.
Signal detection theory models how our personal sensitivity and response bias influence our decisions about stimuli.
Weber's Law states that the just noticeable difference (JND), the smallest detectable difference between stimuli, increases proportionally to the magnitude of the original stimulus.
Fechner's Law suggests that perceived stimulus intensity is related to the actual strength of the stimulus.

Hearing

Sound is created by repetitive pressure fluctuations in a medium, such as air.
Amplitude refers to the difference between the peak and baseline of a waveform, determining intensity or loudness.
Wavelength measures the distance between two consecutive peaks in a waveform.
Frequency represents the number of complete waveforms per second, measured in Hertz (Hz), and determines pitch.

Emotions

Emotions are temporary experiences with positive, negative, or mixed qualities.
The Autonomic Nervous System plays a vital role in the physiological changes associated with emotions.
The Sympathetic Nervous System prepares the body for "fight-or-flight" responses to threats.
Attribution is crucial in cognitive theories of emotions, as it refers to the process of explaining the cause of our emotions.
Polygraph testing relies on the physiological theory of emotions to detect lies.
Research on the brain's pleasure centers supports biological theories of emotions.
Universal facial expressions associated with sadness, anger, and happiness provide evidence of innate emotional expression.

Stress and Coping

Health Psychology aims to promote human health and prevent illness through research and application.
Sociocultural factors influence how abnormality is perceived and manifested.
Abnormal behavior is often characterized by deviance, distress, and dysfunction.
The Biopsychosocial Approach views mental disorders as resulting from a combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.
The Medical Model (Neurobiological Model) suggests that mental disorders are rooted in brain abnormalities and biological processes.
The Psychological Processes Model sees mental disorders as arising from psychological processes.
The Diathesis-Stress Model proposes that a predisposition for a disorder, combined with sufficient stress, triggers symptoms.
Psychoanalysis is a therapeutic approach that seeks to help clients understand unconscious thoughts and emotions.
Humanistic Psychology emphasizes individual control, responsibility, and a drive for growth as motivators for behavior.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on changing both thoughts and behaviors using learning principles.

Neuropsychology

Neuropsychology investigates the relationship between brain processes, behavior, and mental functioning.
Neuropsychologists study how brain systems and their disruptions affect cognitive abilities.
Clinical Neuropsychologists use testing and other methods to assess neuropsychological problems and intact functions in individual patients.
Localization of Function proposes that specific psychological functions are tied to specific brain areas.
Stroke refers to a loss of blood supply to a part of the brain, leading to behavioral or mental disruptions.
Lesion indicates an area of damaged tissue in the brain.
Modules represent brain regions dedicated to specific processing tasks.
Neuropsychological Assessment involves testing cognitive and sensory functions to identify brain problems.

Principles of Neuropsychology

Localization of Function (Franz Gall, Paul Broca) suggests specific psychological functions are linked to specific brain areas.
Modularity (late 1900s) revises localization, proposing that each brain area performs unique calculations contributing to various functions.
Networks (late 1900s) suggests that complex functions rely on unique combinations of brain modules.
Lesion Analysis (1800s-present) links psychological functions to brain areas by studying patients with brain damage.

Mechanisms of Brain Dysfunction

Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke): Blood flow interruption to a brain area, causing damage specific to that region.
Traumatic Brain Injury: Head trauma leading to brain movement, often causing non-specific symptoms.
Neurodegenerative Disease: Specific neuron types become diseased, leading to dysfunction specific to those cells.

Neuropsychological Disorders

Amnestic Disorders: Memory loss, consciousness disturbance, perceptual disturbances, and movement disorders.
Traumatic Brain Injury: Impact to the brain caused by a blow or sudden head movement.

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Description

Explore key concepts in psychology including behaviorism, major contributors like Watson and Skinner, and various psychological approaches. Understand how biological factors, evolution, and unconscious conflicts shape human behavior and mental processes.