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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of the scientific study of psychology?

The study of animal behavior and mental processes

The study of only mental processes and not behavior

Only the study of human behavior and mental processes

The study of human and animal behavior and mental processes (correct)

What does the term 'scientific' refer to in the definition of psychology?

A method to measure mental processes

A body of knowledge about human behavior

A theory to explain behavior

A systematic approach to study human behavior (correct)

Which of the following is an example of a mental process?

Smiling

Laughing

Blinking

Thinking (correct)

What is one of the primary goals of psychology?

To control behavior Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited as the founder of psychology?

Wilhelm Wundt Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the study of the structure of the mind?

Structuralism Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the goal of prediction in psychology?

To forecast when and under what circumstances behavior will occur Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the goal of control in psychology?

To influence behavior through knowledge to enhance human welfare Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of Sigmund Freud's theory?

The unconscious mind and its role in behavior Signup and view all the answers

Who founded the Gestalt psychology?

Max Wertheimer Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary criticism of Sigmund Freud's theory?

It overemphasized the unconscious and was difficult to measure Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of Humanistic Psychology?

The potential for individuals to self-actualize and achieve their goals Signup and view all the answers

Who were the primary figures associated with Humanistic Psychology?

Carol Rogers and Abraham Maslow Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of Cognitive Psychology?

The process of encoding, processing, and storing information Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary criticism of Humanistic Psychology?

It was too subjective and unverifiable Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary principle of Gestalt Psychology?

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

What was the main limitation of the introspection method used to uncover the structure of consciousness?

It was too subjective and produced varying responses Signup and view all the answers

What was a key concern for William James when studying consciousness?

Understanding the functions of mental processes Signup and view all the answers

What was the main focus of the behavioral perspective in psychology?

What is observable, i.e. behavior Signup and view all the answers

What was a criticism of the behavioral perspective in psychology?

It left out the internal experiences (thoughts, emotions) and was too one-directional Signup and view all the answers

Who introduced the concept of functionalism in psychology?

William James Signup and view all the answers

What was the main influence of the behavioral perspective on the study of psychology?

The study of learning and conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What was a limitation of using introspection to study consciousness?

People may not be able to verbalize their feelings or experiences Signup and view all the answers

What was the main concern of William James when studying the mind?

Understanding the functions of mental processes in adapting to the environment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following perspectives examines how knowledge is acquired, organized, remembered, and used to guide behaviour?

Cognitive Signup and view all the answers

What is the aim of Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)?

To treat disorders such as depression or trauma Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the Behavioural Genetics perspective?

Examining the role of genetics in individual differences Signup and view all the answers

How many distinct divisions of psychology are recognized by the American Psychology Association?

56 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the Socio-cultural perspective?

Examining the role of culture and situation in behaviour Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a specialized field of psychology?

Astrology Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the Psychodynamic perspective?

Understanding the role of unconscious forces in behaviour Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following perspectives examines the influence of natural selection on psychological phenomena?

Evolutionary Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the scientific study of human and animal behaviour?

Mental processes and behaviour Signup and view all the answers

Which psychologist established the first 'psychology' laboratory in 1879?

Wilhelm Wundt Signup and view all the answers

Which psychological perspective emphasizes the study of conscious experience?

Structuralism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following goals of psychology involves identifying the factors that influence behaviour?

Identify the factors that influence behaviour Signup and view all the answers

Who is known for developing the concept of self-actualization?

Abraham Maslow Signup and view all the answers

Which psychological perspective emphasizes the role of unconscious forces in shaping behaviour?

Psychoanalysis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a primary goal of psychology?

To understand and explain behaviour Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of functionalism?

Breaking down mental processes into their most basic components Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of human and animal behaviour and mental processes.
It involves the systematic approach of objective, reliable, valid, empirical research to understand behaviour and mental processes.

Goals of Psychology

Describe behaviour: understanding the nature or cause of behaviour to determine what is normal or abnormal.
Understand and explain behaviour: identifying why and when behaviour occurs and what factors contribute to it.
Predict behaviour: forecasting when and under what circumstances behaviour will occur.
Control behaviour: influencing behaviour to enhance human welfare.

History of Psychology

Structuralism

Founded by Wilhelm Wundt in 1897, establishing the first "psychology" laboratory in Germany.
Focuses on breaking down mental processes into their most basic components through introspection.
Criticisms: unreliable method due to varying responses, with limitations in verbalizing experiences and the choice of words used.

Functionalism

Founded by William James, emphasizing the conscious experience and functions of mental processes.
Focuses on how the mind and behaviour adapt to the environment.

Behaviourism

Founded by John B. Watson, B.F. Skinner, Ivan Pavlov, and Edward Thorndike.
Focuses on observable behaviour, emphasizing the role of the environment in shaping behaviour.
Criticisms: neglects internal experiences (thoughts, emotions) and is too one-directional.

Psychoanalysis

Founded by Sigmund Freud, focusing on the unconscious mind and behaviour.
Methodologies include hypnosis, dream analysis, and ink blot tests.
Criticisms: overemphasizes the unconscious, difficult to measure, and based on clinical case studies.

Humanistic Psychology

Founded by Carol Rogers and Abraham Maslow, emphasizing human free will and self-actualization.
Focuses on the actual and lived experiences of persons, shaping behaviour.
Criticisms: too subjective, unverifiable observations.

Gestalt Psychology

Founded by Max Wertheimer, focusing on studying mental processes and behaviours as "wholes".
Emphasizes that "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts".

Cognitive Psychology

Founded by John Piaget, focusing on mental processes and how we encode, process, and store information.
Emphasizes how we perceive, process, and remember information.

Psychology Perspectives

Neuroscience: functioning of the brain and other systems and how they affect behaviour.
Evolutionary: principles of natural selection applied to psychological phenomena.
Behavioural Genetics: genes and environment influence individual differences.
Psychodynamic: unconscious forces that influence behaviour.
Behavioural: observable or learnt behaviours.
Cognitive: how knowledge is acquired, organized, remembered, and used to guide behaviour.
Socio-cultural: how our thinking varies across cultures and situations.

Psychology Divisions

Clinical psychology
Health psychology
Counselling psychology
Developmental psychology
School/Educational Psychology
Cognitive psychology
Psychobiology
Experimental psychology
Social psychology
Personality psychology
Industrial and organizational psychology
Community psychology
Engineering psychology
Environmental psychology
Forensic psychology
Sports psychology

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