Chapter 1: The Science of Psychology

Describe the emergence of scientific psychology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

1800s scientific method emerges, 20th century - study of mental processes. Established a lab and insisted on measurement and experimentation Behaviorism dominated US in 1960s but also discovered environmental bias Humanistic psych- love and belonging (MASLOW) Cognitive psych- mental processes; feeling thinking learning remembering.

Explain how Watson and Skinner redefined the field of psychology

Watson- Behaviorism cannot see or define consciousness. psych is the scientific study of observable, measurable behavior, nothing more. Dog salivation feeding experiment. Discovered conditioning - dogs salivated to sound w/o food present Little Albert experiment- conditioned to be afraid of white, soft things Skinner- Behaviorism Revisited Discovered reinforcement. Rewarded subjects for behaving in ways wanted. rewarded for good behaviors

Describe what is meant by "the cognitive revolution" in psychology

a shift away from a limited focus on behavior toward a broad interest in such mental processes as memory, decision making, and information processing. Evolved from a period in which consciousness was considered inaccessible to scientific inquiry to one in which researches resumed investigating and theorizing about the mind.

The APA code of ethics requires that researchers obtain _________ from participants, and stipulates that participants must be informed of the nature of research in clearly understandable language.

informed consent

The three key terms that constitute the definition of psychology are ________________.

scientific, behavioral, and mental processes

A psychologist following the scientific method would first:

Observe

Describe the role of women in the history of psychology

Discrimination since 1892. Colleges did not grant degrees to women, professional journals did not want to publish their work, teaching positions denied. Mary Whiton Calkins; verbal material and self psych. 1st female president of APA Christine Ladd-Franklin; color vision Maragret Flow Washburn; role of imagery in though processes and experimental study of animal cognition Women w/ PhD 64% Men w/ PhD 36%

If you believe that how you've acquired your mental and behavioral traits from your historical past is of key importance, then your likely favoring the _______ view of psychology.

Evolutionary

Critical thinkers are willing to ___________.

subject their own deeply held beliefs to scrutiny

We cannot understand human behavior without also understanding :

the influence of culture on human diversity

Cherie is participating in a study on the sleep habits of college students. The experimenter is putting Cherie in Group A and is examining if one extra hour of sleep per night leads to a 20 percent increase in concentration. The dependent variable in this experiment is ___________.

the level of concentration

Identify key ethical issues in psychological research with humans and nonhumans

-Must be informed in clearly understandable language -informed consent documented -risks, effects, limitations spelled out in advance -Condition of course credit, equitable alternative activities must be offered -cannot be deceived about aspects of research -deception about goals of research can only be used when absolutely necessary to the integrity of the research -must acquire, care, used, and dispose of animals w/ compliance of all laws -ensure considerations for their comfort, health, and humane treatment -minimize discomfort, infection, illness, and pain

Explain what psychology has in common with other sciences, how psychologists use the scientific method, and the difference between theories and hypotheses

All rely on scientific method to describe, understand, predict, and eventually achieve some measure of control over what they study. Hypotheses- prediction, educated guess, specific derived from a theory Theory- systematic explanation of phenomenon, uses facts

Explain how evolutionary psychology and positive psychology are changing the focus of contemporary psychology

Evolutionary psych- focuses on the origins of behavior pattens and mental processes, the adaptive value they have or had, and the functions they serve or served in our emergence as a distinct species. Positive psych- devote more attention to the good life, subjective feeling of happiness and wellbeing. Intimacy, integrity, leadership, altruism and wisdom. Contemporary psych sees different perspectives as complimentary, all contributing to knowledge. sometimes mesh well, or argue for differing viewpoints

Describe the differences between independent and dependent variables and between control groups and experimental groups

Independent- variable that is manipulated to test its effects ex: amount of hours of sleep Dependent- what changes due to the independent variable. ex: memory and performance Experimental- subjected to experimenters manipulation Control- not subject to change.

Describe some of the career paths that are available to people who have studied psychology. Distinguish among psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists, and social workers.

Mental health centers, vocational rehab facilities, correctional centers, research assistants, teaching, government or business. Psychiatrists- diagnose and treatment of behavior disorders. only mental health professionals who are licensed to prescribe medications Psychoanalyst- Clinical psy- asses, treat mental emo and behavioral disorders. some states allow to prescribe treatment Counseling- help people cope with situational problems, Social workers- treat psychological problems. under supervision of psychiatrists or psychologists.

Describe the characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses of naturalistic observation, case studies, surveys, correlational research and experimental research.

Naturalistic observation- to study human or animal behavior in natural context. Strength: observes in natural habitat vs lab. Weak: cannot slow time down when want to study a part in more detail. Observer bias- subtly distort what they see to make it conform to what they were hoping to see. Case studies- detailed description of one person or a few individuals. real life observation, interviews, scores on psych tests, etc. Strength: easy with large numbers? Weak: observer bias, each person is unique, cannot draw general conclusions from a single case. Survey- carefully selected group of people is asked a set of predetermined questions in face-to-face interviews or in questionnaires. Strength: low cost, lots of interesting useful information. Weak: must be selected with great care and be motivated to respond to survey thoughtfully and carefully. Correlational research- selects participants, gives them a variety of aptitude and personality tests, and then compares the results with performance in training school. Discovered characteristic set optimal for success. Strength: correlational data Weak: cause is not equal to correlation. Experimental research- variables are systematically manipulated and the effect that manipulation on other variable is studies. Strength: draw conclusions about cause and effects relationship Weak: artificial lab may influence subjects behavior. uncontrollable variables

Is there a single perspective dominating psychology today?

No. Psychologists are more flexible in considering new approaches and combining elements of different perspectives.

Discuss the ways in which knowledge and awareness of human diversity can and does inform and enrich psychological study

Our cities are full of diverse people with different backgrounds, values, goals, etc. Understanding diversity helps us understand differences in thinking and behaviors which gives us tools to reduce interpersonal tensions. Will help you understand and appreciate the many universal features of humanity. Gender, Gender stereotypes, feministy psych, sexual orientation, Race, Ethnicity, Culture,

Describe the 5 enduring issues that cut across the subfields of psychology

Person-Situation Masters of fate vs victims of circumstance. External factors influence behaviors? Nature-Nurture genes vs experience. Stability-Change do we change over the course of our lives or are fixed from childhood? Diversity-Universality alike but different Mind-Body thoughts and feelings connected to activity in nervous system

Define psychology and describe some of the major subfields within psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes in all their many facets. Encompasses every aspect of human thought, feeling, and actions. Developmental psych- human growth and change, prenatal to old age. Child psych, adolescent psych, life-span psych Physiological psych- biological basis. Neuropsychologists, biological psychologists, and behavioral geneticists Experimental- research Personality- traits Clinical and Counseling- 50% of psychologists. Clinical: diagnosis, causes, treatment of disorders. Counseling: everyday problems Social- social influences on our behaviors Industrial Organizational- applies to the workplace

Differentiate between random and representative samples, and describe the factors that can influence a research study

Random- each potential participant has equal chance of being selected Representative- carefully chosen so that the characteristics of participants correspond closely to characteristics of the larger population Gender, race, ethnic background, culture

Explain the roles voluntarism, structuralism, functionalism, and psychodynamic theory played in initially defining psychology as a "science of the mind"

Voluntarism(WUNDT)- attention is actively controlled by intentions and motives. ->Established a lab and insisted on measurement and experimentation Structuralism(TITCHENER)- what we physically feel, feelings, and images -> building blocks to complex thoughts and feelings Functionalism(JAMES)- linked psych with philosophy. focuses on how individuals use perceptual abilities to adapt and function in their environment Psychodynamic psych(FREUD)- laid foundation for the study of personality and psych disorders.

If you subscribe to this school of psychology, you believe that psychology is the study of only what's observable and measurable. This historical and modern perspective is better known as ______________.

behaviorism

___________ is a research technique based on the naturally occurring relationship between two or more variables

correlational research

Psychologist William James developed the theory of ________________.

functionalism

Marlisa is a researcher who is studying brain MRIs of patients with severe anxiety. She hopes to identify exactly how brain chemistry changes during an anxiety attack. Marlisa is working in which field of psychology?

neuropsychology

Many students majoring in psychology want to be therapists. The career that requires a medical degree for a career in the diagnosis and treatment of behavior disorders is that of a __________.

psychiatrist

Characterize critical thinking by its various steps

think like a scientists, base beliefs on solid evidence, analyze assumptions, avoid oversimplifying, and draw conclusions carefully STEPS: Define problem or question you are investigating Suggest a theory or a reasonable explanation for the problem Collect and examine all the available evidence Analyze assumptions Avoid oversimplifying Draw conclusions carefully Consider every alternative interpretation Recognize the relevance or research to events and situations

DeShawn is researching the effects of brain lesions on depression. For ethical reasons, he is not able to cut into the brains of study participants. What is one research method that DeShawn might consider that could shed light on this problem without violating APA ethical guidelines?

using animals as test subjects