1
, Welcome to Quickstart: Unit 1 to 3!
Index:
Unit 1…………………………………………………………………………………………..3
Unit 2…………………………………………………………………………………………..9
Unit 3…………………………………………………………………………………………..11
Keywords………………………………………………………………………………………..14
Please Note:
Keywords will be underlined - you should try to memorise their meanings but in case
you’re struggling, there’s a collection of keywords at the back :)
If you feel the need to quiz yourself please feel free to purchase my “Test-Bundle” or
“Save-Me-Bundle” wherein I include my own quizzes and past papers with their respective
memos. For clarification: A Quickstarter pack includes a few units of a module. A Standard
Pack includes ALL units of a module. A Test-Bundle includes quizzes and past papers and
a Save-Me-Bundle includes all units, quizzes, past papers and some extras.
Have fun studying and thank you for purchasing my Quickstart pack!
For legal purposes, this is my own interpretation of the Unisa module PYC1502 and not in any way,
shape, or form is the content of this summary my own. This is a summary made with the intent that
you can pass your assignments and exams not to replace the initial study content of the module.
2
, Summary of Unit 1: Psychology as a science
Psychology is defined as the Theories are important because:
systematic, scientific study of 1. They allow us to understand
behaviours and mental processes. and predict some behaviours.
2. theories give meaning to the
Behaviours refer to observable facts and acts as a framework
actions of human beings and to organize/interpret previous
non-human animals. knowledge
Mental processes (the mind) refers to 3. they help explain observations
our internal processes like and contribute to the body of
consiousness. knowledge
4. theories that are verified by
Note research provide a basis for
- Objectivity refers to facts, practical action
without influence from biases.
- Subjectivity is the opposite, Parsimony - when there are multiple
they refer to personal views competing theories, the correct one
and experiences. is usually the simplest. AKA simplicity
or KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).
The goals of psychology (as a
science): Approaches to the science of
1. Description - (What is it?) psychology:
2. Explanation - (Why is it ● Structuralism.
happening?) This approach focuses on
3. Prediction - (When will it analyzing a person’s
happen again?) consciousness or rather, their
4. Control - (How can it be subjective experience of
changed?) something. Wilhem Wundt
proposed psychology splits
a theory - an orderly, integrated set of two ways: sensations and
statements that describes, explains, feelings. This approach uses
and predicts behaviour/results. introspection - the subjective
observation of one’s own
experiences. In short, it wasn’t
satisfactory to other scientists
and was replaced by
Functionalism.
3
, Welcome to Quickstart: Unit 1 to 3!
Index:
Unit 1…………………………………………………………………………………………..3
Unit 2…………………………………………………………………………………………..9
Unit 3…………………………………………………………………………………………..11
Keywords………………………………………………………………………………………..14
Please Note:
Keywords will be underlined - you should try to memorise their meanings but in case
you’re struggling, there’s a collection of keywords at the back :)
If you feel the need to quiz yourself please feel free to purchase my “Test-Bundle” or
“Save-Me-Bundle” wherein I include my own quizzes and past papers with their respective
memos. For clarification: A Quickstarter pack includes a few units of a module. A Standard
Pack includes ALL units of a module. A Test-Bundle includes quizzes and past papers and
a Save-Me-Bundle includes all units, quizzes, past papers and some extras.
Have fun studying and thank you for purchasing my Quickstart pack!
For legal purposes, this is my own interpretation of the Unisa module PYC1502 and not in any way,
shape, or form is the content of this summary my own. This is a summary made with the intent that
you can pass your assignments and exams not to replace the initial study content of the module.
2
, Summary of Unit 1: Psychology as a science
Psychology is defined as the Theories are important because:
systematic, scientific study of 1. They allow us to understand
behaviours and mental processes. and predict some behaviours.
2. theories give meaning to the
Behaviours refer to observable facts and acts as a framework
actions of human beings and to organize/interpret previous
non-human animals. knowledge
Mental processes (the mind) refers to 3. they help explain observations
our internal processes like and contribute to the body of
consiousness. knowledge
4. theories that are verified by
Note research provide a basis for
- Objectivity refers to facts, practical action
without influence from biases.
- Subjectivity is the opposite, Parsimony - when there are multiple
they refer to personal views competing theories, the correct one
and experiences. is usually the simplest. AKA simplicity
or KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).
The goals of psychology (as a
science): Approaches to the science of
1. Description - (What is it?) psychology:
2. Explanation - (Why is it ● Structuralism.
happening?) This approach focuses on
3. Prediction - (When will it analyzing a person’s
happen again?) consciousness or rather, their
4. Control - (How can it be subjective experience of
changed?) something. Wilhem Wundt
proposed psychology splits
a theory - an orderly, integrated set of two ways: sensations and
statements that describes, explains, feelings. This approach uses
and predicts behaviour/results. introspection - the subjective
observation of one’s own
experiences. In short, it wasn’t
satisfactory to other scientists
and was replaced by
Functionalism.
3
