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 science?

  Before psychology became a science, behavior was studied by philosophers and the brain was studied from a 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, leading to biased results.
• 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 role of biological psychology?

  Biological psychology studies the links between biological processes 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
  • Testing and modifying hypotheses
• 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 are the strengths and weaknesses of Wundt's research methods?

  Strengths:

  • Pioneered scientific methods in psychology
  • Established controlled experimental conditions

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Subjective nature of introspection
  • Potential for biased self-reports
  • Reliance on inferences rather than direct observation
• How did the development of psychology change over 250 years?

  • Transition from philosophy and medicine to empirical science
  • Introduction of various psychological approaches
  • Evolution of research methods and focus areas
• What is the significance of the scientific approach in psychology?

  • Allows for objective study of behavior
  • Facilitates replication of findings
  • Enhances reliability and validity of research
• What are the implications of Wundt's work for modern psychology?

  • Established psychology as an independent scientific field
  • Influenced later psychological approaches and methods
  • Highlighted the importance of controlled research
• What are the characteristics of humanistic psychology?

  • Emphasizes free will and personal growth
  • Focuses on achieving self-actualization
  • Critiques reductionist approaches in psychology
• How do cognitive psychologists study mental processes?

  • Use theoretical models to explain mental processes
  • Conduct experiments to observe behavior
  • Make inferences about internal processes based on task performance
• What advancements have been made in biological psychology?

  • Development of imaging tools like fMRI
  • Study of genetic influences on behavior
  • Integration of biological and psychological research