Psychology Theories and Research Process

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Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of Functionalism in psychology?

Behavioral observations

The structural elements of the mind

The unconscious mind

The purpose or function of consciousness (correct)

Which psychologist is most associated with the Psychoanalytic perspective?

Max Wertheimer

William James

John Watson

Sigmund Freud (correct)

What does Behaviorism prioritize in psychological research?

The unconscious motivations

Dream analysis and interpretations

Subjective experiences

Observable and measurable behavior (correct)

Which principle is highlighted by Gestalt Psychology?

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the belief that knowledge comes from experience?

Empiricism Signup and view all the answers

How does Aristotle's concept of 'Tabula Rasa' relate to Empiricism?

It emphasizes that individuals start as a 'blank slate' and knowledge is gained through experience. Signup and view all the answers

The concept 'Law of Figure and Ground' refers to what aspect of psychology?

The process of recognizing and creating patterns. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method of how theories in psychology are validated?

Through research and observations that confirm, reject, or revise hypotheses Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the spinal reflexes?

To trigger movement without brain involvement Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the nervous system is primarily responsible for voluntary movements?

Somatic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What role does the hypothalamus play in the brain?

It manages emotional behavior and motivation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of the limbic system?

Regulating voluntary muscle movement Signup and view all the answers

Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is primarily involved in planning and decision making?

Frontal lobe Signup and view all the answers

Which system of the peripheral nervous system carries out functions that enable glands and muscles to respond?

Peripheral nervous system Signup and view all the answers

How does the brain compare to other body organs in terms of energy consumption?

It is the most active energy consumer Signup and view all the answers

What type of neurons transmit messages from sensory receptors to the central nervous system?

Sensory neurons Signup and view all the answers

What does the Opponent-Process theory explain about color perception?

It does not recognize the color yellow. Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of perceptual constancy?

The brain's ability to maintain stable perceptions despite changes in sensory input. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Gestalt psychology's contribution to visual perception?

It suggests that the brain tends to organize sensory elements into wholes. Signup and view all the answers

What are geons in the context of visual recognition?

Basic components used to recognize objects perceptually. Signup and view all the answers

What role does depth perception play in visual processing?

It enables the brain to construct a three-dimensional understanding of the environment. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes monocular depth cues from binocular depth cues?

Monocular cues rely on a single point of view, whereas binocular cues integrate two perspectives. Signup and view all the answers

What is a perceptual illusion?

A misinterpretation of sensory input that alters reality perception. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a part of the wavelength's characteristics in visual perception?

Clarity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the somatosensory cortex located in the parietal lobe?

Processing sensations of touch, temperature, and pain Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is responsible for controlling vital body functions such as heart rate and respiration?

Medulla Signup and view all the answers

What role does the corpus callosum play in the brain?

It connects the two hemispheres of the brain Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the pons in the hindbrain?

It carries nerve impulses between different levels of the nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What does the reticular formation primarily do in the midbrain?

Acts as a checkpoint for incoming messages to the brain Signup and view all the answers

Which lobe of the brain is principally involved in language comprehension?

Temporal lobe Signup and view all the answers

What type of system is the endocrine system classified as?

A system of hormone secreting glands throughout the body Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function associated with the cerebellum?

Emotional regulation Signup and view all the answers

What developmental task is most associated with infancy and early childhood?

Learning to crawl, walk, and talk Signup and view all the answers

At what age does muscle strength typically reach its peak?

Late 20s to early 30s Signup and view all the answers

Which developmental task is typical for middle childhood (ages 6-13)?

Playing games and sports Signup and view all the answers

What cognitive development change typically begins in the late 30s?

Worsening memory performance Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about later maturity (60 and above) is accurate?

Ligaments harden and movements slow Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following tasks is NOT typical of the early adulthood stage (ages 18-30)?

Learning proper language to describe reality Signup and view all the answers

What does the decline in visual acuity typically occur?

In the 50s Signup and view all the answers

Which developmental task is associated with adolescence (ages 13-18)?

Development of conscience and personal values Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Systematic Introspection

Functionalism (1890s): Focused on the purpose and function of the mind, rather than the structure of consciousness. William James studied how minds adapt to changing environments.
Psychoanalytic (1890s): Sigmund Freud focused on the unconscious mind to explain personality and mental illness. Dream analysis is a key tool in assessing the unconscious mind.
Behaviorism (1910s): Focused on objective, scientific analysis of observable behavior. Consciousness should be discarded from scientific study as it is not publicly observable.
Gestalt Psychology (1910's): Focused on the organization of mental processes. Max Wertheimer: "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts."
Law of Figure and Ground: "The human mind is a pattern creating and pattern recognizing machine."

Research Process

Theories: Theories lead to hypotheses.
Hypotheses: Hypotheses lead to research and observations.
Research and Observations: Research and observations either confirm, reject, or revise theories.

Empiricism

Knowledge arises directly from experience.
The idea that we are born "Tabula Rasa" (Latin for "blank slate"), is quoted by philosophers, Aristotle and John Locke.

Biological Perspective in Psychology

Explains certain kinds of color blindness.
Fails to account for the color yellow.

Opponent-Process Theory

Three receptors respond positively and negatively towards certain colors.
Example: receptor A is positive towards red and negative towards green.

Visual Perception

The brain combines all elements of a message, forming a whole.
Bottom-Up processing: Perception based on sensory information.
Top-Down processing: Perception based on existing knowledge and expectations.
Gestalt psychology attempts to explain the role of organizing individual elements of our sensations.

Recognition by Components

Biederman: People recognize objects through smaller components called geons.

Depth Perception

A three-dimensional world is created from sensation through depth cues.
Depth cues can be monocular (one eye) or binocular (two eyes).
Perceptual constancy helps to maintain a stable image.

Perceptual Illusions

Perceptual illusions are created by the brain to maintain a stable image.
Simple stimulus-response sequences can be triggered by the spinal cord without brain involvement. These are called spinal reflexes.
The brain is the most active energy consumer of all body organs.

Peripheral Nervous System

Consists of all neural structures outside of the brain and spinal cord.
Carries out input functions for sensation inside and outside the body.
Carries out the output functions that enables muscles and glands to respond.
Divided into the Somatic and Autonomic nervous systems.

Somatic Nervous System

Sensory neurons: Transmit messages from sensory receptors.
Motor neurons: Send messages from the central nervous system (CNS) to muscles that control voluntary movement.

Autonomic Nervous System

Works without conscious control.
Regulates internal environment.
Divided into the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nervous systems.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Prepares the body for "fight or flight" response.
Increases heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.
Dilates pupils.
Inhibits digestion.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Promotes relaxation and conserves energy.
Lowers heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.
Contracts pupils.
Stimulates digestion

Parts of the Brain

Hindbrain (Medulla, Pons, Cerebellum): Involved with basic body functions.
Midbrain: Relay center for visual and auditory information.
Forebrain (Hypothalamus, Limbic System, Cerebral Cortex): The highest level of the brain, responsible for complex thought.

Hindbrain

The lowest and most primitive level of the brain.
Contains the brain stem (Medulla and Pons) and the cerebellum.
Medulla: Controls vital body functions such as heart rate and respiration.
Pons: A bridge that carries nerve impulses between higher and lower brain levels.
Cerebellum: Primarily deals with muscular movement and coordination, including balance.

Midbrain

Contains important relay centers for visual and auditory systems.
Reticular Formation: Acts as a checkpoint for messages that arrive at the brain.

Forebrain

Includes: the Hypothalamus, Limbic System, Cerebral Cortex.

Hypothalamus

Plays a role in motivation, emotion, sexual behavior, sleeping, temperature regulation, satiety, aggression.

Limbic System:

Includes the Hippocampus and the Amygdala
Coordinates behaviors needed to satisfy motivational and emotional urges.
Has a role in memory.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain.
Divided into four lobes: Frontal lobe, Parietal lobe, Temporal lobe, and Occipital lobe.

Frontal Lobe

The frontal lobe is responsible for planning and coordinating voluntary behavior and decision-making.

Parietal Lobe

Contains the somatosensory cortex.
Responsible for sensations of touch, temperature, and pain.

Temporal Lobe

Processes auditory information and language comprehension.

Occipital Lobe

Responsible for visual processing.

Brain Hemispheres

Although the brain works as a whole, hemispheres are lateralized. This means that each hemisphere has specialized functions, allowing the brain to divide its labor for efficiency.
The hemispheres of the brain are connected through the corpus callosum.

Endocrine System

A system of hormone-secreting glands throughout the body.

Hormones

Hormones are chemical messengers secreted from glands into the bloodstream.

Physical Development

Mid-20s: Vision, hearing, reaction time, and coordination peak.
25-30 years old: Muscles reach peak strength.
40s: Muscles become weaker and less flexible; basal metabolism slows.
50s: Decline of visual acuity; menopause for women.
70s: Bones become brittle; hardened ligaments make movements stiffer and slower.

Cognitive Development

Memory performance worsens at late 30s.
The brain continues to decline after the age of 50.

Intellectual Changes

Peak intellectual function occurs between ages 20-30.
Intelligence remains stable in adulthood.
Those who maintain an active lifestyle tend to maintain intellectual function throughout their lives.

Developmental Tasks

Developmental tasks are significant challenges that appear at different stages of life.
Tasks arise from: physical maturation, personal values, and pressures of society.

Developmental Tasks (Birth to 6 years)

Learning to crawl, walk, talk, eat solid food.
Formation of solid concepts.
Learning sexual differences and modesty
Learning proper language to describe reality.

Developmental Tasks (6-18 years)

Getting along with other people (friends).
Learning how to play games/sports.
Masculine/feminine social roles.
Development of conscience, morality, and personal values.
Personal independence.

Developmental Tasks (18-30 years)

Selecting an occupation.
Mature relations with others both socially and sexually.
Emotional independence.

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Description

Explore the key theories in psychology, including functionalism, psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and gestalt psychology. Understand how these theories inform the research process from hypotheses to observations. This quiz will test your knowledge on fundamental psychological concepts.