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, where participants reported their conscious experiences.
• How did Wundt control his studies?

  Wundt controlled the experimental conditions and the environment of the studies.
• 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.
• What did behaviorists focus on in their research?

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

  Cognitive psychology views the mind and brain as similar to a computer, processing information.
• What is the significance of biological psychology?

  Biological psychology studies the links between brain function and behavior, often using medical insights.
• What are the key features of scientific methodology in psychology?

  • Systematic observation
  • Controlled experiments
  • Objectivity in research
  • Empirical methods
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Wundt's approach to psychology?

  Strengths:

  • Established psychology as a scientific discipline
  • Used controlled methods

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Subjective nature of introspection
  • Reliance on inferences
• What are the main psychological approaches introduced in the timeline of psychology?

  1. Structuralism (Wundt)
  2. Psychodynamics (Freud)
  3. Behaviorism (Pavlov, Skinner)
  4. Social Learning Theory
  5. Humanism
  6. Cognitive Psychology
  7. Biological Psychology
• What is the role of empirical methods in psychology?

  • Empirical methods involve collecting data through observation and experimentation.
  • They help validate theories and hypotheses.
• How did the computer revolution influence cognitive psychology?

  • Cognitive psychology compares the mind to a computer.
  • It uses models to explain mental processes like memory and perception.
• What is the significance of Wundt's first psychological laboratory?

  • It marked the transition of psychology from philosophy to a scientific discipline.
  • It established a controlled environment for psychological research.
• What are the implications of behaviorism in psychological research?

  • Behaviorism focuses on observable behavior.
  • It rejects the study of internal mental processes.
• What are the characteristics of humanistic psychology?

  • Emphasizes free will and personal growth.
  • Focuses on achieving self-actualization.
• How do cognitive psychologists study mental processes?

  • They create theoretical models of mental processes.
  • They conduct experiments to infer cognitive functions.
• What advancements have been made in biological psychology?

  • Development of tools like fMRI scanners.
  • Ability to study brain activity and genetic influences on behavior.