Chapters 1&2
Structuralism vs. Functionalism
Structuralism (Wilhelm Wundt): An approach in which the mind is broken into the smallest elements of mental experience. Structure/ Function
Functionalism (William James): An approach to psychology that saw behavior as purposeful and
contributing to survival. Function/Structure
Epigenetics
Nature (biological inheritance) versus
Nurture (environmental experiences)
Individuals take active roles in own
development
Explain the process of classical and operant conditioning.
Classical Conditioning: Repeating a process where a neutral and unconditioned response is used to eventually gain a conditioned response.
Operant Conditioning: The consequences of a behavior change the probability of that behavior’s occurrence.
Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic motivation: based on internal factors (self-
determination theory, curiosity, challenge, fun)
Extrinsic motivation: external incentives such as
rewards and punishments
Who developed the stages of cognitive development (Piaget)? Explain one of the stages
Age: Up to 2- Sensimotor
Age: 2-7 - Preoperational
Age: 7-11 - Concrete Operational
Age: 12- throughout adulthood - formal operational
Dependent vs Independent Variables.
Independent variable is the variable that is being manipulated or controlled by the experimenter
Dependent variable is what is being measured
Central and Peripheral Nervous system.
Bonus: Explain Parasympathetic and Sympathetic Nervous System
Central (CNS)
Brain and spinal cord
Peripheral (PNS)
–Somatic NS
Sensory nerves
Motor nerves
Autonomic NS
-Parasympathetic (rest & digest)
-Sympathetic (Fight or flight)
Give Examples of Positive Reinforcement, Negative Reinforcement, Positive Punishment, Negative Punishment
Positive Reinforcement: Stimulus is added to increase behavior
Negative Reinforcement: Stimulus is removed to increase behavior
Positive Punishment: Stimulus is added to decrease behavior
Negative Punishment: Stimulus is removed to decrease behavior.
Explain a theory of motivation and a theory of emotion.
Theories of Motivation:
-Instinct theory (evolutionary perspective): Genetically predisposed behaviors
-Drive-reduction theory: Responses to inner pushes
- Arousal theory: Right levels of stimulation
Theories of Emotion:
-James Lange Theory: Stimuli in environment -> physiological state-> emotion
-Cannon Bard Theory: Human body responses run parallel to the cognitive responses rather than causing them
- Two Factor Theory: When we are aroused, we identify the source of arousal and evaluate the situation, then identify the feeling
What is the DSM-5 and some if its advantages and disadvantages?
DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders)
American Psychiatric Association-Fifth edition
Describes disorders and estimates their occurrence
Advantages
Provides a common basis for communication
Helps clinicians make predictions
Naming the disorder can provide comfort
Justification for behavior
Disadvantages
Casts a wide net, thus pathologizing every kind of behavior
Negative side-effects of labeling
Stigma (shame, negative reputation)
Focus on weaknesses, ignores
strengths
Medical terminology can imply
internal cause
Explain the Scientific Attitudes.
curious, skeptical, and humble
Define Consciousness
An individual’s awareness of external
events and internal sensations under a
condition of arousal
Define what a heuristic is. What are the different kinds?
Heuristic: mental shortcut/”rule of thumb”
– quick solution, but may be incorrect
- Representativeness (slide 12)
-Availability (slide 13)
-Affect (slide 14)
What are the big 5 personality traits?
Openness
Conscientiousness
Extraversion
Agreeableness
Neuroticism
What is the therapeutic alliance?
The relationship between therapist and client.
Remember:
“Therapy doesn’t make clients work, clients makes
therapy work.”
Descriptive vs Correlation Methods
Descriptive Method: The goals is to define whats happening. The types are: case studies, naturalistic observation, and surveys/interviews.
Correlational Method: To see the strength of a relationship. Remember that Correlation does not equal causation. Make sure to review the third Variable problem
Explain Top-Down vs. Bottom Up Processing
Bottom Up: Assembling and integrating sensory elements. Sensory influence on perception.
Top-Down: Interpreting sensory elements. Models, memories, ideas, understanding, and expectations influence on perception.
What are the different memory processes?
Encoding – process of getting information into
memory storage
Storage: retention of information and how it is
represented in memory
Retrieval: Explicit (conscious recollect of Memory, episodic and semantic) and Implicit memories (prior experiences w/o conscious recollection)
Stereotypes vs. prejudice vs. discrimination
Stereotype
A overgeneralized belief about a group (cognitive)
Prejudice
A negative attitude toward an individual based solely on membership in a group (affective)
Discrimination
Negative behavior toward an individual based solely on membership in a group (behavior)
Choose a psychological disorder and describe the biopsychosocial approach to it.
What are some ways you can critically think about an approach to psychology and its significance?
This answer is up for interpretation.
Explain any concept from this chapter
This answer is up for interpretation.
Explain the different types of Memory.(episodic, semantic, flashbulb, procedural, priming.)
-Episodic: life's episodes, when, where, what
-Semantic: knowledge about the world
-Flashbulb: emotionally significant event that people recall with accuracy and vividness
-Procedural: something that is done consistently (tying your shoe, typing...)
-Priming: being able to make a connection w/o a high level of awareness
Recall a time when you were guilty of fundamental attribution error.
Up to interpretation.
Describe what stage of development you're in according to Eric Eriksons
Trust vs Mistrust (Infancy)
Autonomy vs Shave and doubt (toddler 1-3)
Initiative vs Guilt (preschool 3-6)
Competence vs inferiority (elementary school 6-puberty)
Identity vs. Role Confusion (adolescence teens-20s)
Intimacy vs. Isolation (young adulthood 20s-40s)
Generativity vs Stagnation (mid-life 40s-60s)
Integrity vs Despair (late adulthood 60s and up)