Psychology Exam 1-5

What is structuralism? How does functionalism contrast with structuralism?

Wilhelm Wundt believed that Structuralism is the focus on the parts of the mind and the structures of mental processing. William James, however, believed in functionalism, which is the focus of the *function* of mental processes, and how a individual can adapt to an environment.

What four attitudes are at the core of the scientific approach?

critical thinking, skepticism, objectivity, and curiosity

What are two differences between the cognitive and psychodynamic approaches to psychology?

the psychodynamic approach focuses on the unconscious thought and also sexual drive, while the cognitive theory focuses on the sometimes conscious mental processes involving knowing, solve problems, etc.

What specific ideas did B.F Skinner's behaviorist approach emphasize?

Skinner believed that psyshology should be about what people do (like actions and behaviors), and that people act the way they do because rewards and punishments influence our behavior.

What makes psychology a science?

Psychologists use scientific methods to observe and draw conclusions.

Which particular Freudian views of human nature have influenced general perceptions of what psychology is all about?

Freud believed that most human behavior is caused by dark, unpleasant, unconscious impulses. He also based his ideas on human nature on the patients he saw in his clinical practice.

In what ways is Charles Darwin's work relevant to psychology?

Because it is strongly supported by observation, and it relates to the adaptive nature of human characteristics.

What is meant when we say that 'a particular characteristic of an organism is adaptive?'

We are referring to how a certain characteristic helps an organism to survive.