Origins of Psychology

• What is the definition of psychology?

  Psychology is the scientific study of the brain and behavior.
• How long has psychology been a field of science?

  Psychology has been a field of science for around 150 years.
• What was the focus of study before psychology became a scientific discipline?

  Before psychology, the focus was on behavior from a philosophical and medical perspective.
• Who is considered the first person to study behavior using scientific techniques?

  Wilhelm Wundt is considered the first person to study behavior using scientific techniques.
• What did Wundt establish in the 1870s?

  Wundt established the world's first psychological laboratory in Leipzig, Germany.
• What is structuralism in psychology?

  Structuralism is describing the mind in terms of its simplest definable components.
• What method did Wundt use in his research?

  Wundt used introspection to record conscious experiences as objectively as possible.
• How did Wundt control his studies?

  Wundt controlled the experimental conditions and the environment in which the experiments were conducted.
• What is an inference in psychological research?

  An inference is a guess or assumption about internal mental processes based on observed behavior.
• What is a criticism of Wundt's introspective methods?

  A criticism is that participants may not accurately report their own mental states, leading to biased results.
• What did behaviorists focus on in their research?

  Behaviorists focused on observable stimulus-response mechanisms, ignoring internal mental processes.
• What is the main idea behind cognitive psychology?

  Cognitive psychology views the mind and brain as similar to a computer, processing information through inputs and outputs.
• What are the key components of the scientific method in psychology?

  • Systematic observation
  • Controlled experimentation
  • Objectivity in research design
  • Empirical methods for data collection
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Wundt's approach to psychology?

  Strengths:

  • Established psychology as a scientific discipline
  • Introduced controlled experimental methods

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Subjective nature of introspection
  • Potential for biased self-reports
• What are the main psychological approaches that emerged after Wundt?

  1. Psychodynamics (Freud)
  2. Behaviorism (Pavlov, Skinner)
  3. Social Learning Theory
  4. Humanistic Psychology
  5. Cognitive Psychology
  6. Biological Psychology
• What did Freud contribute to psychology?

  Freud developed the psychodynamic approach and introduced the concept of the unconscious mind.
• What is the focus of social learning theory?

  Social learning theory focuses on how individuals learn from observing others and the internal mental processes involved.
• How does humanistic psychology differ from other approaches?

  Humanistic psychology emphasizes free will and personal growth rather than deterministic factors.
• What is the significance of biological psychology?

  Biological psychology studies the links between biological processes and behavior, often using advanced imaging techniques.
• What are the key features of the timeline of psychology?

  • Establishment of Wundt's laboratory
  • Development of psychodynamics by Freud
  • Emergence of behaviorism
  • Introduction of cognitive psychology
  • Growth of biological psychology
• What is the role of fMRI scanners in psychology?

  fMRI scanners allow psychologists to study the active brain and its functions.
• How has the understanding of mental disorders changed over time?

  Understanding of mental disorders has shifted from religious explanations to scientifically determined approaches.
• How did Wundt's work influence later psychological research?

  Wundt's work inspired later psychologists to adopt controlled methods and empirical research in studying the mind.
• How can a psychology student effectively learn complex terminology?

  A psychology student can effectively learn complex terminology by creating a key term list and noting definitions as they study.
• What is the purpose of the Psych Boost app mentioned in the video?

  The Psych Boost app provides free features like flashcards and quizzes to help students learn key terms.
• What resources are available for patrons of the channel?

  Patrons can access exclusive exam tutorial videos and hundreds of digital resources.
• Why is research methods considered fundamental in psychology courses?

  Research methods are fundamental because they help in understanding and evaluating psychological studies.
• How do cognitive psychologists differ from behaviorists in their approach to studying mental processes?

  Cognitive psychologists study internal mental processes through tasks, while behaviorists focus only on observable behavior.
• What is the significance of the term "demand characteristics" in psychological research?

  Demand characteristics refer to participants altering their behavior based on what they think the researcher expects.
• What is the main focus of forensic psychology?

  The main focus of forensic psychology is to understand and change the behavior of criminals.
• How did the computer revolution influence cognitive psychology?

  The computer revolution led cognitive psychologists to compare the mind to a computer in terms of information processing.
• What are the implications of studying psychology as a science?

  Studying psychology as a science allows for systematic investigation and objective understanding of behavior and mental processes.
• What is the purpose of the key term list mentioned in the video?

  The key term list helps students learn and effectively use complex terminology in psychology.
• What is the relationship between psychology and empirical methods?

  Psychology relies on empirical methods to gather data and test hypotheses about behavior and mental processes.
• How did Wundt's approach to psychology differ from that of behaviorists?

  Wundt's approach involved introspection and internal mental processes, while behaviorists focused solely on observable behavior.
• What is the significance of the term "self-actualization" in humanistic psychology?

  Self-actualization refers to the process of realizing one's full potential and becoming the best version of oneself.
• What is the main focus of biological psychology?

  The main focus of biological psychology is to study the links between biological processes and behavior.
• How do psychological approaches evolve over time?

  Psychological approaches evolve as new research and theories emerge, reflecting changes in understanding behavior and mental processes.
• What role does empirical evidence play in psychological research?

  Empirical evidence is crucial for validating theories and ensuring that conclusions are based on observable data.
• What is the importance of replication in psychological research?

  Replication is important to verify findings and ensure that results are not due to chance or bias.