What is psychology?
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Who is considered the founder of psychology and what was his method?
Wilhelm Wundt; used the method of objective introspection.
What did structuralism study?
The structure of the mind—breaking consciousness into basic elements.
Who was the main representative of structuralism?
Edward Titchener.
What was the focus of functionalism according to William James?
How mental processes help individuals adapt to their environment.
Which three early schools strongly influenced psychology?
Gestalt psychology, psychoanalysis, and behaviorism.
What is the key principle of Gestalt psychology?
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
What did Sigmund Freud emphasize in psychoanalysis?
The unconscious mind, inner conflicts, and childhood experiences.
What did John B. Watson study in behaviorism?
Observable behavior and learning through conditioning.
Name the seven modern perspectives in psychology.
Psychodynamic, behavioral, humanistic, cognitive, biological, sociocultural, evolutionary.
What is the scientific method?
Systematic approach: observation → hypothesis → testing → analysis → publication.
What is a correlation?
A statistical relationship between two variables (not cause and effect).
How does an experiment differ from a correlation?
Only experiments allow conclusions about causality.
Name two ways to control for confounding variables in experiments.
Randomization and double-blind procedures.
What ethical rules guide psychological research?
Informed consent, participant protection, right to withdraw, confidentiality, debriefing.
What does critical thinking mean in psychology?
Evaluating information logically, assessing evidence, and questioning assumptions.
What is sensation?
The process of receiving physical energy from the environment through sensory organs.
What is perception?
The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information to give it meaning.
What happens during transduction?
Conversion of physical energy into neural signals.
What is the absolute threshold?
The minimum stimulation needed to detect a stimulus 50% of the time.
What does Weber’s Law describe?
The just-noticeable difference is proportional to the original stimulus intensity.
What is sensory adaptation?
Decreased sensitivity to constant, unchanging stimuli.
Which parts make up the visual system?
Cornea, pupil, lens, retina, optic nerve, visual cortex.
What is the function of rods and cones in the retina?
Rods detect brightness/motion; cones detect color.
