PSYCHOLOGY AROUND US CH.1

NEUROSCIENCE

Aka psychobiology The study of psychological functions by looking at biological foundations of those functions

What did MASLOW believe

Abraham Maslow believed that we all have a basic motivation to fulfill our own potential as humans - the drive for SELF-ACTUALIZATION

Behaviour

Observable activities of an organism, often in response to environmental cues.

Name the 3 important early psychologists

WILLHELM WUNDT, EDWARD TITCHENER & WILLIAM JAMES

What did John Locke Believe?

We learn from our experiences - mind is a BLANK SLATE at birth.

CROSS CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY

study of what is generally true about human beings regardless of culture

EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY

subfield of SOCIOBIOLOGY. The body and brain are products of evolution - genetic inheritance plays important role in shaping thought and behaviour.

What did Socrates and Plato theorize?

Socrates and Plato believed that the mind and body are distinct and the mind continues after the body dies. That knowledge exists within a person from birth

PUNISHMENT

experience that produces a decrease in a particular behaviour

ACADEMIC PSYCHOLOGY

focusing on research and instruction in the various areas or fields of study in psych (Colleges/universities)

INFORMATION PROCESSING

the means by which information is stored and operates internally

SOCIOBIOLOGIST

theorists who believe humans have a genetically innate concept of how social behaviour should be organized

PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY

theory that human mental processes are influenced by the competition between the unconscious and the conscious mind REJECTED BY WILLIAM JAMES (what we observe in the mind is the complete experience)

What is Francis Bacon regarded as the creator of and define that creation?

EMPIRICISM: the view that all knowledge originates in experience.

BEHAVIOURAL GENETICS

the influence of genes on cognition and behaviour

CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY

how cultural practices shape psychological and behavioural tendencies and influence behaviour.

What are the levels of analysis used?

Level of the BRAIN (biological activity), level of the PERSON (content of mental processes), level of the GROUP.

SOCIAL NEUROSCIENCE

Linking social functioning to particular brain activity (certain nerve cells in brain activated when we empathize)

Talk about WILLIAM JAMES

-shifted attention away from structure of mental content to the purpose and functions of them. -believed consciousness had to serve an important biological function because it was a trait in humans who had been naturally selected. -FUNCTIONALISM (examine the function or purpose of consciousness). -consciousness ever-changing -animal research

REINFORCEMENT

Idea central to BEHAVIOURISM. Reinforcement is a learning process that increased the likelihood a given response will be repeated (negative and positive)

SIGMUND FREUD

-many thoughts and feigns exist beyond the realm of awareness in the UNCONSCIOUS -built his theory on information from patients. -lost memories from toxic childhoods -now called PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY -"talking cure" technique

What values are shared through all 3 branches of psychology

-psychology is theory driven -psychology is empirical (emphasis on controlled observations and experiments/ research and support) -psychology is multi-level (must account for what is happening at all levels of the brain, person and group) -psych is contextual

3 current key branches of psychology

ACADEMIC PSYCHOLOGY CLINICAL AND COUNSELLING PSYCH (incl. clinical neuropsychology), APPLIED PSYCH (incl. school, rehabilitation, health, forensic).

What are mental processes?

Activities of our brain when engaged in thinking, observing the environment and using language

What about Aristotle?

Aristotle's writings represent some of the first important theories about things like sensations, dreams, learning, etc. He promoted empirical studies of the world.

Clinical psych vs counselling

Clinical: provide psychotherapy - modifying thoughts, feelings and behaviours that cause distress. Administering tests Counselling: (psychiatric social workers as well) psychotherapy for people with psychological problems, helping with families, careers, etc. Psychiatrists: attended medical school

What are the 4 goals that psychologists have when studying mental processes?

DESCRIPTION, EXPLANATION, PREDICTION, CONTROL

CLIENT-CENTRED THERAPY

Developed by Carl Rogers Therapists should respect clients as equals. Establishing trusting relationship by mirroring feelings and conveying unconditional support

GESTALT PSYCHOLOGY

Gestalt psychology argues that we have inborn tendencies to impose structure on what we see - we see things as broad perceptual units rather than individual sensations. -REJECTED STRUCTURALISM (the whole is greater than the parts) Ex: illusions

Talk about TITCHENER

TITCHENER expanded on Wundt's approach and formed STRUCTURALISM (studies the structure of the conscious experience). -Structuralists relied heavily on INTROSPECTION; A study method that evaluates/observes mental processes and how they expand simple thoughts into complex ideas

What did Hippocrates believe about psychology and health?

That disease and any psychological health problem was caused by lack of bodily humors (BLOOD, PHLEGM, YELLOW BILE & BLACK BILE). He tested his theories through dissection rooting future academic research.

what is psychology?

The study of mental processes and behaviours

APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY

applying psychological principles to practical problems in other fields like education, marketing or industry. (Lawyers may consult with psychologists to help determine who to select for jury or how to defend client) (Could work as paralegal)

BEHAVIOURISM

argues that psychology should study only directly observable BEHAVIOURS rather than abstract mental processes -focus on relationships between STIMULI and RESPONSES -past responses influence future responses -conditioning (dogs salivating in lab)

CULTURAL UNIVERSALITY

behaviours that occur across all cultures Helps identify inborn functions common to all humans (Evolutionary psych and sociobiology)

CLINICAL AND COUNSELLING

helping people cope more effectively or overcome abnormal functioning

HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY

theory of psychology that sought to give greater prominence to the unique and special things about human functioning. -CARL ROGERS -ABRAHAM MASLOW -believed behaviourists looked at humans just like they look at animals (can be predicted and controlled) giving no weight to consciousness

Talk about WUNDT

-Opened lab dedicated to study of psychology -Pendulum test: humans have a limited attention capacity -Studied CONSCIOUSNESS -the idea of WILL - VOLUNTARISM (Voluntary acts of decision in human behaviour)

What was the concern about structuralism/introspection

It's emphasis on gathering knowledge (describing) without any further agendas (Explaining, predicting, controlling).

Greek philosophers who believed reasoning would uncover ideals or core ideas where focused on which aspect of psychology?

MENTAL STATES & PROCESSES

COGNITION

Mental processes involved in knowing, perceiving, and remembering

COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE

Focuses not only on mental processes but also on how those processes interact with the biological functioning of the brain (what happens when we are remembering something)

Why was introspection proven unreliable

It was argued that reflecting on a feeling or experience changes that feeling/experience - no real act of introspection could occur this way. Always diverse findings.

COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Studying mental processes as forms of INFORMATION PROCESSING or ways in which information is stored and used in our minds Dominant model of the mind (like a computer with software and hardware - modifying software)