Ch.1: What is Psychology?

Psychology defined as

"science of behavior and mental processes"

Learning

- 1920s - Ivan Pavlov - Russian physiologist - Discovered conditioned reflex

Behaviorism

- 1920s - John Watson - "the scientific study of observable behavior" - Eliminate mind as topic of study - Instead, study directly observable behavior

Humanism

- 1950s - Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow - Rejection of behaviorism - Focused on -- Importance of current experience -- Need for love, acceptance

Cognitive psychology

- 1960s - How our mind processes, stores information - Focus on thought processes to understand human behavior

Psychologists study many areas

- Brain - Personality - Culture - Intelligence - Human Development - And much more

Structuralism

- Edward Bradford Titchener -- Student of Wundt -- Faculty at Cornell University - Wanted to identify structure of mind -- Focused on structural elements of experience - Used Introspection -- Look inward, report sensations, images, feelings - Wundt's approach to discovering the basic elements, or structures, of mental processes; so called because of its focus on identifying the structures of the human mind

Psychoanalysis

- Freud -- Austrian neurologist -- Developed psychoanalytic theory -- Focused on how childhood experiences, unconscious thought processes affect behavior -- Main causes of behavior lie in unconscious mind

What Psychologists Do?: Undergraduate training

- Human resources - Business consulting - Casework

From 1920s to today

- Learning - Behaviorism - Humanism - Cognitive psychology - Cognitive neuroscience

Mental Health Professionals

- Psychiatrists - Psychologists -- Research --- Specializations pp. 15-19 -- Clinical - Counselors - Social Workers

Cognitive neuroscience

- Relationship between brain activity & mental activity - Focus on brain function

What Psychologists Do?: Graduate training

- Therapists, counselors - Researchers, teachers - Business consultants

The Roots of Psychology: 1879 ~ Wilhelm Wundt

- University of Leipzig, Germany - First experiment -- Reaction time (RT) experiment - Marked beginning of psychology as scientific discipline

Functionalism

- William James -- Focused on stream-like, dynamic quality of consciousness & thinking -- How mind works - Saw thinking as adaptive -- Allows us to consider past, adjust to present, plan for future - James's approach to mental processes, emphasizing the functions and purposes of the mind and behavior in the individual's adaptation to the environment.

Reaction time experiments

-- Choice RT - Simple RT = Time to make decision -- Simple RT ~ 1/10th sec -- Choice RT ~ 2/10th sec -- > 1/10th sec to make decision - Can't measure mental responses directly but - can infer from behavior

The Roots of Psychology: Before 300 B.C., Aristotle was theorizing about

-- Learning & memory -- Motivation & emotion -- Perception & personality - Limited in science -- Systematic - But ~ asked right questions

Steps taken in the experimental method

1) Observe 2) Describe 3) Hypothesize 4) Test 5) Repeat test and compare control and experimental groups 6) Conclusion

positive psychology

A branch of psychology that emphasizes human strengths.

Psychiatrist

A medical doctor who specializes in mental health is a _____

D) the evolutionary approach

A psychologist is attempting to understand why certain physical characteristics are rated as attractive. The psychologist explains that certain characteristics have been historically adaptive, and thus are considered attractive. This explanation is consistent with which of the following approaches? A) the sociocultural approach B) the humanistic approach C) the cognitive approach D) the evolutionary approach

B) the psychodynamic approach

A psychologist who focused on the ways in which people's family background related to their current functioning would be associated with which psychological approach? A) the behavioral approach B) the psychodynamic approach C) the humanistic approach D) the cognitive approach

D) sensation and perception

A researcher interested in the way in which our sense of smell works would likely be associated with which of the following areas of specialization? A) cognitive psychology B) learning C) motivation and learning D) sensation and perception

A) internal, mostly unconscious psychological forces

After encountering a number of patients who had physical problems without any apparent physical cause, Sigmund Freud reasoned that the causes must be psychological and beyond his patients' conscious awareness. For example, one of his patients, a woman named Anna O., sometimes developed paralysis in her limbs even though there was nothing physically wrong with her. Based on his observations, Freud eventually developed a theory he called psychoanalysis. What was Freud actually analyzing? A) internal, mostly unconscious psychological forces B) physical causes of psychological problems C) how the environment is constantly affecting our behavior D) how people find ultimate meaning in their lives

B) community psychology.

Amelia was raised in a low-income environment by a single mother. She went through tremendous hardships in her life simply because of the neighborhood and circumstances in which she was raised. As an adult, Amelia wants to implement and develop intervention programs so that children growing up in similar environments today have less of a struggle. Amelia should look into A) social psychology. B) community psychology. C) sociocultural psychology. D) school and educational psychology.

evolutionary approach

An approach to psychology centered on evolutionary ideas such as adaptation, reproduction, and natural selection as the basis for explaining specific human behaviors.

humanistic approach

An approach to psychology emphasizing a person's positive qualities, the capacity for positive growth, and the freedom to choose any destiny.

cognitive approach

An approach to psychology emphasizing the mental processes involved in knowing: how we direct our attention, perceive, remember, think, and solve problems.

behavioral approach

An approach to psychology emphasizing the scientific study of observable behavioral responses and their environmental determinants.

psychodynamic approach

An approach to psychology emphasizing unconscious thought, the conflict between biological drives (such as the drive for sex) and society's demands, and early childhood family experiences.

biological approach

An approach to psychology focusing on the body, especially the brain and nervous system.

sociocultural approach

An approach to psychology that examines the ways in which social and cultural environments influence behavior.

introspection

Asking someone to think about their conscious experience while listening to poetry would be an example of ______

C) Company A should hire an industrial organizational psychologist and Company B should hire an environmental psychologist.

Company A is interested in hiring a psychologist to restructure how executives communicate with rank-and-file workers. Company B is interested in hiring a psychologist to help design their offices in the most optimal fashion. Who should these companies hire? A) Company A should hire a social psychologist and Company B should hire an industrial organizational psychologist. B) Company A should hire an environmental psychologist and Company B should hire an industrial organizational psychologist. C) Company A should hire an industrial organizational psychologist and Company B should hire an environmental psychologist. D) Company A should hire an industrial organizational psychologist and Company B should hire a community psychologist.

Science

Controlled, organized, purposeful steps to measure, analyze, evaluate, report - the use of systematic methods to observe the natural world, including human behavior, and to draw conclusions

natural selection

Darwin's principle of an evolutionary process in which organisms that are best adapted to their environment will survive and produce off spring.

D) functionalist.

Dewayne is taking a psychology class. He isn't really interested in discussions about the unconscious, childhood influences, or the way different structures in the brain work. Instead, he is interested in the purpose of certain psychological mechanisms. For example, he wonders why we feel disgusted by a food that made us sick or why some emotions are the same all over the world and others aren't. Dewayne is thinking most like a A) monist. B) British empiricist. C) structuralist. D) functionalist.

B) behavioral

Dr. Mateo believes that every child is born a "blank slate." Children's early environments shape their personalities, though the children may be continually affected by their environments as they grow. Everything comes down to a simple principle in Dr. Mateo's mind: If our behaviors are followed by satisfying consequences, we will repeat them, and if the consequences are unsatisfying, we won't repeat them. Dr. Mateo is probably a _____ therapist. A) psychodynamic B) behavioral C) cognitive D) humanistic

introspection

Examination of one's own thoughts and feelings

Until 1920s

Focus on "the science of mental life" - Structuralism - Functionalism - Psychoanalytic theory

D) All of the answers are correct.

From where did psychology emerge? A) the work of Wilhelm Wundt B) early philosophical thought C) the natural science D) All of the answers are correct.

empirical method

Gaining knowledge through the observation of events, the collection of data, and logical reasoning.

C) Humans behave and think the way they do in part because it helped them survive.

How is natural selection related to psychology? A) Humans and animals are related. B) Survival is related to environmental conditions alone and not to genetics. C) Humans behave and think the way they do in part because it helped them survive. D) It is unrelated to psychology.

A) motivation and emotion

In which area of psychology would a researcher interested in how individuals persist to attain a difficult goal (like graduating from college) most likely specialize? A) motivation and emotion B) physiological psychology C) social psychology D) community psychology

Mental processes

Internal, subjective experience

C) agree; one's environment changes based on one's responses to it

It has been said that no two people have the same parents, since parents respond to and treat each child differently. Watson and Skinner would probably_____ with this statement because _____. A) disagree; siblings exhibit similarities learned from their parents B) disagree; one's environment changes based on one's responses to it C) agree; one's environment changes based on one's responses to it D) agree; siblings exhibit similarities learned from their parents

What is the experimental method?

It is a way to isolate and identify the cause of something

D) how room arrangements influence behaviors

On what topic would an environmental psychologist most likely do research? A) research on teaching and learning B) how to prevent mental health issues by identifying high-risk groups in the community C) how to pick a sympathetic jury D) how room arrangements influence behaviors

Behavior

Outward action

D) examine his thoughts and actions to see what keeps him stuck in this pattern.

Paxton has difficulty with dating. Whenever his friends point out a woman they think he should approach, he finds himself thinking about how she will probably reject him. As a result, he rarely asks anyone out, and he complains to his friends that women don't like "nice guys." A cognitive psychologist would probably say that Paxton should A) examine his childhood experiences for the source of his lack of confidence. B) use free association to explore long-forgotten childhood experiences and traumas. C) work towards what is most important to him rather than focusing on his friends' ideas of what is attractive or on their insistence that he find someone to date. D) examine his thoughts and actions to see what keeps him stuck in this pattern.

psychodynamic

Psychologists interested in how the unconscious and early childhood experiences impact behavior and mental processes are most likely to take a(n) _____ approach.

practitioners

Psychologists primarily engaged in helping others are generally called _____

Brain, nervous system

Psychologists who take a biological approach are interested in how the _____ and _____ impact behavior and mental processes.

B) Stan would choose a simple and familiar puzzle; Carlos would prefer a novel and difficult puzzle.

Stan grew up in the United States and Carlos grew up in Chile. When given the option, what types of tasks would you assume Stan and Carlos would choose? A) Stan would choose to complete a novel and difficult puzzle; Carlos would prefer a simple and familiar puzzle. B) Stan would choose a simple and familiar puzzle; Carlos would prefer a novel and difficult puzzle. C) Both would prefer a simple and familiar puzzle. D) Both would prefer a novel and difficult puzzle.

True

T/F: Behavior consists of everything a person does that can be directly observed.

False

T/F: Developmental psychologists focus solely on the development of children.

False

T/F: Health psychologists work only in mental health domains.

False

T/F: Most modern psychologists believe that the mind and body are separate.

False

T/F: Positive psychology is not interested in the negative things that happen in people's lives.

False

T/F: Psychiatrists cannot prescribe medications.

False

T/F: Psychologists only focus on people with mental illness.

True

T/F: Psychologists study behavior and mental processes.

True

T/F: Studying the brain's response to classical music is an example of an activity that is consistent with physiological psychology.

False

T/F: The behavioral approach is interested in the ways that individuals from different cultures behave.

C) critical thinking

Temira tells her roommate, Carmella, that she recently read that people who paint their rooms blue get better grades. Carmella knows that painting their room will be a lot of work. Therefore, she asks Temira where she got her information and what evidence her sources had for their conclusion. She also wonders if there might not be another reason that people with blue rooms have higher grades—for example, maybe smart people prefer the color blue. What skill is Carmella using? A) basic research B) applied research C) critical thinking D) behaviorism

industrial and organizational psychology

The field of psychology that is interested in workplace behavior is called _____

World of psychology divided into several schools of thought

The first were: - Structuralism - Functionalism

critical thinking

The process of reflecting deeply and actively, asking questions, and evaluating the evidence.

Wilhelm Wundt

The researcher known as the "father of modern psychology" was _____

A) William James.

The researcher most associated with functionalism is A) William James. B) Wilhelm Wundt. C) Charles Darwin. D) E. B. Titchener.

psychopathology

The scientific study of psychological disorders and the development of diagnostic categories and treatments for those disorders.

neuroscience

The scientific study of the structure, function, development, genetics, and biochemistry of the nervous system, emphasizing that the brain and nervous system are central to understanding behavior, thought, and emotion.

B) study of psychological disorders.

The term psychopathology refers to A) the study of psychology. B) study of psychological disorders. C) the distinction between psychologists and psychiatrists. D) the focus of counseling psychology.

mental processes

The thoughts, feelings, and motives that each of us experiences privately but that cannot be observed directly.

C) counseling psychology

What is the most widely practiced specialization in psychology? A) social psychology B) personality psychology C) counseling psychology D) cognitive psychology

C) The mind and body have reciprocal effects on each other.

What is the relationship between the mind and the body? A) The mind impacts the body. B) The body impacts the mind. C) The mind and body have reciprocal effects on each other. D) There is no relationship between the mind and the body.

B) a doctoral degree, such as a PhD.

What type of training do clinical psychologists usually have? A) a medical degree, such as an MD. B) a doctoral degree, such as a PhD. C) a bachelor's degree, such as a BA. D) All of the answers are correct.

D) academic settings like universities

Where do most psychologists work? A) in hospitals B) private practice C) human resource departments in corporations D) academic settings like universities

C) the cognitive approach

Which approach would explain depression in terms of disordered thinking? A) the humanistic approach B) the evolutionary approach C) the cognitive approach D) the sociocultural approach

B) the ways in which survivors of Hurricane Katrina made meaning of their experience

Which of the following areas of inquiry would likely be of interest to a positive psychologist? A) the ways in which genetic factors influence the development of depression B) the ways in which survivors of Hurricane Katrina made meaning of their experience C) the ways in which parenting style related to children's attachment D) the ways in which brain lesions affect personality

C) health psychology

Which of the following areas of specialization would focus on the ways in which stress is related to cancer remission? A) cognitive psychology B) community psychology C) health psychology D) behavioral neuroscience

B) therapy

Which of the following is NOT part of the definition of psychology? A) science B) therapy C) behavior D) mental process

A) the impact of media messages on women's body image

Which of the following would a sociocultural psychologist be likely to study? A) the impact of media messages on women's body image B) the way in which neurotransmitters are implicated in the development of eating disorders C) the impact of thinking patterns on weight management D) the benefits of exercise in preventing obesity

D) Are there other possible explanations for the woman's weight loss, other than the pill being advertised?

While reading a magazine, Jordan sees an advertisement that claims that a new weight-loss pill will help anyone lose weight without exercising. The advertisement includes a picture of a woman when she was obese and another picture of her looking thin and fit. Though the pictures are very compelling, Jordan knows that she needs to examine advertisements critically. Which of the following questions BEST represents critical thinking? A) Why would a woman agree to be in this advertisement? B) Is this woman a professional model? C) What would my friends think about my taking a weight-loss pill? D) Are there other possible explanations for the woman's weight loss, other than the pill being advertised?

B) We get a fuller understanding of human experience by focusing on both positive and negative aspects of life.

Why is it important to study positive psychology? A) Psychologists are only interested in the experiences of healthy persons. B) We get a fuller understanding of human experience by focusing on both positive and negative aspects of life. C) Negative experiences in people's lives tell us little about people's mental processes. D) Psychology has been too focused on the negative

C) It focuses on observation, drawing conclusions, and prediction.

Why is psychology considered a science? A) It focuses on internal mental processes. B) It classifies mental disorders. C) It focuses on observation, drawing conclusions, and prediction. D) It focuses on behavior.

Functionalism

_____ is the approach to psychology that focuses on the adaptiveness of mental processes.

Structuralism

_____ is the approach to psychology that focuses on the separate elements of mental processes

Charles Darwin

_____ wrote On the Origin of Species.

Experimental Method

determines the cause of something by ISOLATING the hypothesized CAUSES & COMPARING the controlled results

What is Psychology?

is a science that seeks answers to all kinds of questions about, thinking, feeling, and acting