CHAPTER ONE REVIEW
WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?
Psychology: the scientific study of behavior and mental processes → observe human
and animal behavior using systematic methods to draw conclusions
mental processes: thoughts and feelings that we individually experience and are
not directly observable
behavior: everything we do that IS directly observable
WHAT IS THE PSYCHOLOGICAL FRAME OF
MIND?
Asking questions like a psychologist would using 4 methods:
1. critical thinking: asking “how” and evaluating the facts based on evidence
→ how we know something
2. skepticism: questioning the truth and whether the facts we know are actually true,
doubting the truth by asking questions
→ comes hand in hand with the existence of pseudoscience: information that uses
scientific terms but is not supported by science
3. Objectivity: seeing facts as they really are and looking for evidence, thinking using
facts rather than instincts
→ relies on the empirical method: gaining of knowledge through logic, questioning,
reasoning, and data collection
4. Curiosity: noticing things around us and wanting to know more, actively asking
questions
CHAPTER ONE REVIEW 1
, WHY IS PSYCHOLOGY THE SCIENCE OF
ALL BEHAVIOR?
BECAUSE:
it seeks to understand the truths of human life in all its dimensions looking at the
best and worst experiences
it is a general science
(clinical) psychologists specialize in studying and treating psychological disorders
WHAT IS THE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
OF PSYCHOLOGY?
PHILOSOPHY’S INFLUENCE: Decartes and emotions, Aristotle and happiness
Philosophy: rational investigation to underlying principles of being and knowledge
WHAT ARE WUNDT’S STRUCTURALISM
AND JAME’S FUNCTIONALISM?
Structuralism: discovering elements and structures of mental processes
Wundt: performed an experiment on how long it takes the brain to translate
information into action by getting a group of people to press a telegraph after
hearing a sound
→ uses introspection: ASKS “WHAT” by looking at the mind and focusing on our own
thoughts
Complications:
not entirely applicable
doesn’t serve all subjects using introspection
CHAPTER ONE REVIEW 2
WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?
Psychology: the scientific study of behavior and mental processes → observe human
and animal behavior using systematic methods to draw conclusions
mental processes: thoughts and feelings that we individually experience and are
not directly observable
behavior: everything we do that IS directly observable
WHAT IS THE PSYCHOLOGICAL FRAME OF
MIND?
Asking questions like a psychologist would using 4 methods:
1. critical thinking: asking “how” and evaluating the facts based on evidence
→ how we know something
2. skepticism: questioning the truth and whether the facts we know are actually true,
doubting the truth by asking questions
→ comes hand in hand with the existence of pseudoscience: information that uses
scientific terms but is not supported by science
3. Objectivity: seeing facts as they really are and looking for evidence, thinking using
facts rather than instincts
→ relies on the empirical method: gaining of knowledge through logic, questioning,
reasoning, and data collection
4. Curiosity: noticing things around us and wanting to know more, actively asking
questions
CHAPTER ONE REVIEW 1
, WHY IS PSYCHOLOGY THE SCIENCE OF
ALL BEHAVIOR?
BECAUSE:
it seeks to understand the truths of human life in all its dimensions looking at the
best and worst experiences
it is a general science
(clinical) psychologists specialize in studying and treating psychological disorders
WHAT IS THE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
OF PSYCHOLOGY?
PHILOSOPHY’S INFLUENCE: Decartes and emotions, Aristotle and happiness
Philosophy: rational investigation to underlying principles of being and knowledge
WHAT ARE WUNDT’S STRUCTURALISM
AND JAME’S FUNCTIONALISM?
Structuralism: discovering elements and structures of mental processes
Wundt: performed an experiment on how long it takes the brain to translate
information into action by getting a group of people to press a telegraph after
hearing a sound
→ uses introspection: ASKS “WHAT” by looking at the mind and focusing on our own
thoughts
Complications:
not entirely applicable
doesn’t serve all subjects using introspection
CHAPTER ONE REVIEW 2
