Foundations of Psychology
What is the best definition of psychology?
A. The study of the brain's physical structure and functions.
B. The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
B. The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Which perspective focuses on unconscious motives and conflicts?
Psychoanalytical
Wilhelm Wundt
True or False: Sports psychologists help athletes concentrate on their performance and not the crowd.
True!
“Be all you can be” reflects what psychological approach?
Humanistic
The humanistic approach focuses on personal growth, self-actualization, and reaching one’s full potential. The phrase “Be all you can be” encourages people to develop themselves and strive for their best, which is a key idea in humanistic psychology.
True or false:
In psychology, behavior refers to actions that can be observed and measured, like talking, walking, or smiling.
True
This approach emphasizes the influence of genes, hormones, and the nervous system
Biological Perspective
Freud is associated with which wave of psychology?
3rd: Psychoanalysis
Focused on how unconscious thoughts, feelings, and memories—especially those from early childhood—affect behavior. Freud believed that bringing these unconscious conflicts to awareness through techniques like dream analysis and free association could help people understand and resolve their psychological problems.
True or false: Counseling psychologists typically treat severe mental illness.
False
Counseling psychologists usually help people with everyday problems and life adjustments, while clinical psychologists or psychiatrists are more likely to treat severe mental illnesses.
A parent sets a rule that if their child finishes homework early, they get extra screen time.
This is an example of which goal of psychology?
A. Describe behavior
B. Explain behavior
C. Predict behavior
D. Control behavior
D. Control behavior
One goal of psychology is to control (influence) behavior by using consequences (like rewards or punishments) to encourage or discourage certain actions.
List at least 3 of the 5 main goals of psychology
to observe, describe, explain, predict, and influence (control) behavior
A psychologist who studies memory, thinking, and problem solving belongs to what perspective?
Gestalt psychology focused on perception and how perception influences thinking & problem solving.
True
Gestalt psychology is all about how we perceive things. It says that our brains like to organize what we see into whole patterns or forms, rather than just seeing separate parts.
For example, when you look at a dotted line, you still see a full line because your brain fills in the gaps.
True or False: Social psychologists apply psychology to the criminal justice system
False
Forensic Psychologist
Social psychologists are concerned with the nature and causes of individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behavior in social situations
Which perspective do these terms describe?
Survival of the fittest, reproductive advantage, natural selection, Charles Darwin, instincts
Evolutionary
Which early psychological approach (school of psychology) focused on breaking down mental processes into basic parts like sensations (such as sight or taste) and feelings (such as memories or dreams)?
Structuralism (Wilhelm Wundt)
Which perspective emphasizes free will and personal growth?
Humanistic
Socrates suggested that we should rely on rational thought & introspection
True
Introspection = careful examination of one's own thoughts & emotions to gain self-knowledge
True or False: Developmental psychologists study physical, cognitive, and emotional changes over time.
True
Developmental psychologists focus on how people grow and change throughout their lives. This includes changes in the body (physical), thinking and learning (cognitive), and feelings and relationships (emotional). They study these changes from infancy to old age to understand how people develop over time.
Maria is nervous about giving a presentation in class. In her culture, speaking up in front of others especially adults or teachers is seen as disrespectful. While other students seem confident, Maria stays quiet and avoids eye contact.
Socio-cultural perspective
The socio-cultural perspective says that culture, social norms, and environment shape how we think, feel, and act. In Maria’s case, her behavior isn’t just about being shy, it’s influenced by her cultural background, where speaking in public might not be encouraged.
Who was the founder of functionalism?
William James
Functionalism is a school of thought in psychology that focuses on how the mind works and why we think, feel, and behave the way we do especially how mental processes help us adapt to our environment.
Ex)
Imagine you hear a loud noise behind you. Instead of just thinking about what that noise is, a functionalist would ask:
“How does reacting to that noise help you?”
Functionalism focuses on why our minds make us respond in certain ways.
Which perspective believes mental disorders are due to chemical imbalances?
Biological
If you combine different approaches or perspectives to study behavior, you are in which wave of psychology?
1st Introspection, 2nd Gestalt, 3rd Psychoanalysis, 4th Behaviorism, 5th Eclectic
Eclectic Approach (5th wave)
Psychologists pick and choose what theories to use depending on the situation and the client. (7 Perspectives)
True or False: Human factors psychologists make technical systems such as automobile dashboards ad computer key boards more friendly.
True!
Human factors psychologists study how people interact with machines and technology. Their goal is to design things like car dashboards, computer keyboards, or smartphone screens so they are easy to use, safe, and comfortable.
True or False: Psychologists prescribe medication for clients.
False; That is the job of a psychiatrist
Psychologists are trained in therapy, psychological testing, and research.