PSY 205- Midterm Exam Guide - Comprehensive Notes for the exam ( 49 pages long!)

• School: Syracuse University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 205
• Professor: Shannon Houck

Document Summary

Early definition: study of the mind --- 18th century. Psychiatry: branch of medicine concerned with psychological disturbances. Science: a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of explanations and predictions about the universe. G. stanley hall (1846-1924)-- brought psychology to america. Analyze consciousness into its basic tenets- feelings, thoughts, sensations. William james: applied natural selection to human consciousness. Proposed that behavior is influenced by how people cope with sexual urges. 1: b. f. skinner-- fundamental principle provides a negative outcome. Free will is an illusion: repeat the behavior that provide positive outcomes, don"t repeat behavior that, asserted that all behavior is governed by external stimuli i. People are rational beings, unique from other animals. Humans will fulfill their potential if given the opportunity. Cognition: refers to the mental process involved in acquiring knowledge. Cognitive psychologists study memory, problem solving, decision making-- mental process. Social psychologists study attitude, prejudice, racism, group behavior, attraction.