Foundations of Psychology
Who argued that the mind at birth is a tabula rasa (blank slate)?
John Locke
Who founded the first psychological laboratory in 1879?
Wilhelm Wundt
Before the 1920s, psychology was defined as the science of __________.
Mental life
Which approach integrates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels?
Biopsychosocial approach
What is the main difference between psychiatrists and clinical psychologists?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication; clinical psychologists cannot.
What is empiricism?
The belief that knowledge originates in experience.
Where was Wundt’s lab located?
Leipzig, Germany
In the 1920s, psychology became the scientific study of __________.
Observable behavior
Which perspective studies how natural selection influences behavior?
Evolutionary perspective
What do psychometric psychologists study?
Measurement methods (tests, scales, statistics).
Which philosopher’s ideas influenced the development of empiricism?
John Locke
What was Wundt’s method for studying the mind?
Introspection (self-observation of conscious experience)
Since the 1960s, psychology has been defined as the science of __________ and __________.
Behavior and mental processes
Which perspective focuses on unconscious drives and conflicts?
Psychodynamic perspective (Freud)
Define basic research vs. applied research.
Basic Research: builds general knowledge (e.g., studying memory processes).
Applied Research: solves real-world problems (e.g., workplace productivity).
Which principle says knowledge comes from experience and should rely on observation?
Empiricism
Why is 1879 considered the “birth year” of modern psychology?
It established psychology as an experimental science, separate from philosophy.
Which school of thought emphasized studying only observable behavior?
Behaviorism (Watson, Skinner)
Which perspective emphasizes growth, potential, and self-actualization?
Humanistic perspective (Rogers, Maslow)
Give an example of applied research in psychology.
Example: Industrial-organizational psychology improving job satisfaction.
How does Locke’s concept of tabula rasa contrast with theories of innate knowledge?
Tabula rasa says the mind is blank at birth; innate knowledge theories (Plato, Descartes) argue some ideas are inborn.
How did Wundt’s lab influence psychology worldwide?
Wundt trained students who spread psychology across Europe and America, shaping future schools of thought.
What was the “cognitive revolution,” and how did it change psychology’s definition?
In the 1960s, the cognitive revolution refocused psychology on mental processes (memory, thinking, perception), broadening the definition.
List three major perspectives and give one example for each.
Biological: brain structures, neurotransmitters
Cognitive: memory, problem solving
Behavioral: learned responses
Psychodynamic: unconscious conflicts
Evolutionary: survival of traits
Social-Cultural: influence of society/culture
Humanistic: personal growth, self-actualization
Why are multiple subfields important to the growth of psychology as a discipline?
Different subfields allow psychology to address diverse questions, from theory to treatment.