Unit 1 Fact or Falsehood? History and Approaches

Psychology is best defined today as the study of mental life.

FALSE. Psychology is BEST defined as the study of behavior AND mental processes.

Psychology aims to answer the ultimate question. "Why should I live?"

FALSE. The goals of psychology are to describe, explain, control, and predict future behavior.

Evolution has become an important principle for psychology.

TRUE

One of the most significant and persistent issues in psychology concerns the nature-nurture debate controversy-that is, the relative contributions of biology and experience to mental processing and behavior.

TRUE.

Psychology has its origins in many disciplines and countries.

TRUE.

Psychiatry is a branch of psychology that involves the assessment and treatment of psychological disorders.

TRUE. Psychiatrists (who provide psychotherapy) are medical doctors who can prescribe drugs.

In contrast to sociology and anthropology, contemporary psychology has little interest in how behavior varies (differs) across cultures.

FALSE.

The most effective way to study is to read an entire chapter the night before the test.

FALSE. A good method to use is called the SQ3R reading method.

Psychology had its beginnings in England in the eighteenth century.

FALSE. In 1879 Wilhelm Wundt set up the first psychology laboratory in an apartment near the University at Leipzig, Germany.

SQ3R Reading Method

Step 1) Survey the chapter. 2) Question while you are surveying 3) When you begin to Read look for the answers to your questions 4) Recite after you read a section 5) Review

If you asked someone to name a famous psychologists, they would most likely name Sigmund Freud.

TRUE. While treating patients for psychosomatic complaints, Freud believed he discovered the "unconscious mind"- a part of our mind over which we do not have conscious control.