Chapter 1: Psychology's Roots PDF

Ch. 1: Psychology’s Roots Critical Thinking Critical thinking is the thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, assesses the source, uncovers hidden values, weighs evidence, and assesses conclusions. Structuralism Structuralism was an early s...

Ch. 1: Psychology’s Roots Critical Thinking Critical thinking is the thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, assesses the source, uncovers hidden values, weighs evidence, and assesses conclusions. Structuralism Structuralism was an early school of thought promoted by Wundt that focused on the structure of the human mind. Functionalism Functionalism is an early school of thought promoted by James and influenced by Darwin that focused on how the mind functions. ​ Behaviorism the view that psychology​ (1) should be an objective science that​ (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2). Humanistic Psychologists A historically important perspective that emphasized human growth potential. Cognitive Psychology The study of mental processes, such as those that occur when we perceive, learn, remember, think, communicate, and solve problems. Cognitive Neuroscience The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with mental activity (including perception, thinking, memory, and language). Biopsychosocial Approach An approach that integrates different but complementary views from biological, psychological, and social-cultural viewpoints. Nature-Nurture Issue The age-old controversy over the relative influence of genes and experience in the development of psychological traits and behaviors. Today's psychological science sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of nature and nurture. Dual Processing The principle that our mind processes information at the same time on separate conscious and unconscious tracks. Theory An explanation using principles that organize observations and predict behaviors or events. ​ Hypothesis A testable prediction, often implied by a theory. ​ Operational Definition A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures (operations) used in a research study. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures. ​ Replication The repeating of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding can be reproduced. ​ Case Study A descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles. ​ Naturalistic Observation A descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to change or control the situations. Survey A descriptive technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of that group. ​ Population All those in a group being studied, from which random samples may be drawn. (Note: Except for national studies, this does not refer to a country's whole population.) ​ Random Sample A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion. ​ Correlation Experiments (inc., correlate, and positive and negative correlation) A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either one predicts the other. The correlation coefficient is the mathematical expression of the relationship, ranging from -1.00 to +1.00, with O indicating no relationship. Placebo Effect An inactive substance or condition that is sometimes given to those in a control group in place of the treatment given to the experimental group. ​ Experimental Group In an experiment, the group was exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable. Control Group In an experiment, the group is not exposed to the treatment; the control group serves as a comparison with the experimental group for judging the effect of the treatment. ​ Double-Blind Procedure In an experiment, a procedure in which both the participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about who has received the treatment or a placebo. Dependent Variable In an experiment, the factor that is measured; the variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated. Independent Variable In an experiment, the factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied. Confounding Variable In an experiment, a factor other than the factor being studied might influence a study's results. Informed Consent The act of giving people enough information about a study to enable them to decide whether they wish to participate. Debrief After an experiment ends, explaining to participants the study's purpose and any deceptions researchers used.