5.1.2 The Emergence of Psychology as a Science

• How did philosophy contribute to early psychology?

  It provided early theories about the mind
• What method did Wundt and Titchener use to explore mental processes?

  Introspection
• What were the two main roots of psychology before it became a science?

  Philosophy and physiology
• Who explored the concept of dualism in psychology?

  René Descartes
• What does introspection involve?

  Describing sensations and perceptions
• What does Functionalism focus on in psychology?

  How mental processes help us adapt
• What does Functionalism study about our minds?

  What our minds do rather than their composition
• Who was a key figure in Functionalism?

  William James
• What is the main focus of behaviorism in psychology?

  Observable behavior
• Which theory influenced Functionalism?

  Darwin's theory of evolution
• What does Darwin's theory suggest about our minds?

  Our minds evolve to improve survival
• How can you relate Functionalism to a car's function?

  A car's function is to get you from A to B
• How did physiology influence psychology?

  By studying body functions and their effects
• Why is the scientific method important in psychology?

  It ensures observations are systematic and objective
• Who was Wilhelm Wundt's student that contributed to structuralism?

  Edward Titchener
• What did structuralism lay the groundwork for?

  Future approaches in psychology
• What was a major criticism of structuralism?

  It couldn't be replicated scientifically
• What does the principle of proximity state?

  Elements close together are grouped
• What does psychology study?

  How we think, feel, and act
• Why was introspection criticized?

  It was subjective and unreliable
• What are the key precursors and figures in the development of modern psychology?

  • Key Precursors:
  • Philosophy
  • Physiology
  • Key Figures:
  • René Descartes
  • John Locke
  • Charles Darwin
• What significance did structuralism have in psychology?

  Established psychology as a separate field
• What is operant conditioning?

  Behavior shaped by rewards and punishments
• What does the principle of closure state?

  Incomplete shapes are automatically filled in
• What is the principle of Proximity?

  • Objects that are close together are perceived as being related or grouped together
• Which key figure highlighted adaptation and evolution in psychology?

  Charles Darwin
• What is the principle of Connection?

  The mind perceives objects as being related if they are connected by lines or other visual elements
• What are the six key principles of Gestalt psychology?

  1. Proximity: Elements close together are grouped
  2. Similarity: Similar elements are seen as a unit
  3. Enclosure: Elements within boundaries are grouped
  4. Closure: Incomplete shapes are automatically filled in
  5. Continuity: Elements following a pattern are seen as connected
  6. Connection: Physically linked elements are grouped
• What did William James argue about psychology?

  It should study real-life experiences
• How does Functionalism differ from Structuralism?

  Functionalism focuses on purpose, not structure
• What are controlled experiments designed to determine?

  Cause-and-effect relationships
• What is structuralism in psychology?

  An early approach breaking down mental processes
• Who is considered the founder of modern psychology?

  Wilhelm Wundt
• What is classical conditioning?

  Associating stimuli with responses
• What did B.F. Skinner introduce to behaviorism?

  Operant conditioning
• How does psychoanalysis view the influence of childhood experiences?

  They influence unconscious desires and conflicts
• What are the 7 Gestalt principles of visual perception shown in the image?

  Proximity, Similarity, Enclosure, Closure, Continuity, Connection
• What is the principle of Closure?

  • The mind tends to perceive incomplete objects as complete by filling in the missing information
• What did John Locke emphasize in his contributions to psychology?

  Empirical experience
• What is the role of the Ego in psychoanalysis?

  Balances Id and Superego