PSYC 2000 : Chapter 1
Document Summary
Psychology- the scientific study of mental processes (mind) and behavior: avoiding our opinions of why people behave like they do; tarthadine, cognitive= mental process. Empiricism- knowledge comes from direct experience (science: empirical question: are males more violent than females, we can test this question by . Empirical observation- objective evidence gathered through direct observation. Nature vs. nurture: combination of both- born with something, but depends on environment from there. Mind/mental processes- the contents and processes of subjective experience: sensations, thoughts, and emotions: different interpretations- subjective. Behavior- observable actions performed by a person or animal. 2 types: voluntary- usually preceded by some kind of mental process- ex. Highjumping: involuntary- basically reflexes- automatic- predicting stimulus. Dichotomies in psychology: mind/body dichotomy- is the mind and body the same thing, or are they different entities, dualists- mind and body are distinct but interacting entities. Knowledge is acquired through experience: jean-jacques rousseau- heredity forms the human (nature) Born with all the knowledge you need.
