Psychology Overview: Functionalism, Psychoanalysis, Behaviorism

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Questions and Answers

What did William James suggest psychologists should focus on regarding mental life?

  • The impact of unconscious desires.
  • The purpose or function of mental processes. (correct)
  • The specific structures of the mind.
  • The subjective experiences of consciousness.

Functionalism draws its understanding of the mind primarily from which source?

  • Medieval theological doctrines.
  • German experimentalism and Darwin's theory of evolution. (correct)
  • Ancient Greek philosophy.
  • Early 20th century neurology.

What is the core concept behind the theory of natural selection?

  • Changes in the environment have no effect on organisms.
  • The mind shapes the body.
  • Individuals must strive for perfection.
  • Traits that enhance survival and reproduction become more common. (correct)

According to William James, why has consciousness likely evolved?

<p>To serve a specific function or use. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of psychoanalysis?

<p>The influence of the unconscious mind on feelings and behaviors. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'hysteria' refer to within the context of early psychology?

<p>A loss of function without an obvious physical cause. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where did Freud theorize that the cause of his patients' hysterical symptoms originated from?

<p>Repressed memories from the unconscious mind. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of the psychoanalytic theory of mind?

<p>The significant role the unconscious plays in behaviour. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Freud, what is the primary method for accessing the unconscious mind?

<p>Psychoanalysis (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of behaviourism as proposed by John B. Watson?

<p>Studying observable actions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which technology is most associated with the emergence of cognitive neuroscience?

<p>Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the central idea behind Donald Hebb's approach to studying the brain?

<p>Understanding how brain structure changes with experience. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Montreal procedure' pioneered by Wilder Penfield?

<p>The surgical removal of brain tissue for seizure relief. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Brenda Milner best known for?

<p>Her discovery of the brain basis of long term memory. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What encompasses the definition of culture?

<p>The shared values and beliefs influencing a group of people which can be based on nationality, age, religion etc. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does cultural psychology primarily study?

<p>The influence of culture on mental life. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Functionalism

An approach to psychology that emphasizes the adaptive significance of mental processes, focusing on the purpose and function of consciousness.

Natural Selection

The process by which traits that help organisms survive and reproduce become more common in a population over time.

Hysteria

A loss of physical function without any apparent physical cause, often linked to psychological factors.

Unconscious

The part of the mind that contains information or thoughts that a person is not consciously aware of.

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Psychoanalytic Theory

A general theoretical framework that emphasizes the influence of the unconscious on our emotions, thoughts, and actions.

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Repression

The process of pushing unwanted or traumatic memories into the unconscious, where they are not consciously accessible.

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The mind does not know itself

The idea that the mind is not directly aware of its own processes, emphasizing the role of the unconscious in shaping mental life.

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Consciousness has a purpose for survival

William James, a prominent figure in psychology, argued that consciousness evolved for a specific purpose - survival.

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Psychoanalysis

A therapy aiming to provide insight into our unconscious minds, pioneered by Freud.

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Behaviourism

An approach to psychology that focuses only on observable behaviors, rejecting inner experiences and thoughts.

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Cognitive Neuroscience

The study of how the brain and mind are connected, especially in humans.

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Behavioural Neuroscience

The study of how the brain and behavior are connected, especially in non-human animals.

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Culture

Refers to the shared values, beliefs, and traditions within a specific group of people, whether defined by nationality, ethnicity, age, or other characteristics.

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Cultural Psychology

The study of how culture influences our mental processes and thoughts.

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The Montreal Procedure

The surgical removal of brain tissue to alleviate seizures

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Brenda Milner's contribution

The discovery of the brain's role in long-term memory.

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Study Notes

Functionalism

  • Functionalism, a psychological approach, emphasizes the adaptive functions of mental processes.
  • It draws on Darwin's principle of natural selection, suggesting that the mind, like the body, evolved for a purpose.
  • Key figures include William James, John Dewey, and James Angell.
  • Functionalists shifted focus from describing mental experiences to understanding their purpose.

Psychoanalysis

  • Psychoanalysis, developed by Sigmund Freud, focuses on the unconscious mind.
  • It explores how unconscious thoughts and repressed memories influence behavior.
  • Hysteria, a loss of function without a physical cause, was a central concern.
  • Psychoanalysis aims to provide insight into the unconscious through therapy.

Behaviorism

  • Behaviorism, championed by John B. Watson, restricts psychology to observable behaviors.
  • It rejects the study of internal mental processes, focusing on what people do rather than what they think or feel.
  • This approach revolutionized the scientific study of psychology.

Cognitive Neuroscience and Behavioral Neuroscience

  • Cognitive neuroscience studies the relationship between the brain and the mind, particularly in humans.
  • Behavioral neuroscience explores the link between the brain and behavior, primarily in non-human animals.
  • These fields emerged with advancements in brain imaging technology.

Cultural Psychology

  • Cultural psychology examines how culture affects mental life.
  • Culture includes shared values, traditions, and beliefs within a particular group (e.g., nationality, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion, occupation).
  • Cultural psychology analyzes how culture shapes cognitive processes.

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