PSYCHOLOGY 1100 EXAM – LATEST STUDY GUIDE
Chapter 1: Introduction
psychological science: the study of the mind, brain and behavior
mind: refers to mental activity which results from biological processes in the brain- physical
brain enables the mind
behavior: used to describe a wide variety of actions, from the subtle to the complex, that occur in
all organisms
What Are the Seven Themes of Psychological Science?
1. Psychology is an empirical science
2. Nature and nurture are inextricably entwined
3. The brain and mind are inseparable
4. A new biological revolution is energizing research
5. The mind is adaptive
6. Psychological science crosses levels of analysis
7. We often are unaware of the multiple influences on how we think, feel and act
Psychology Is an Empirical Science
psychological scientists use the scientific method to understand how people think, feel
and act
scientific method: uses objective, systematic procedures that lead to an accurate understanding of
what is being studied
Nature and Nurture Are Inextricably Entwined
culture: the beliefs, values, rules and customs that exist within a group of people who share a
common language and environment that are transmitted through learning form one
generation to the next
nature/nurture debate: the arguments concerning whether psychological characteristics are
biologically innate or acquired through education, experience and culture
The Brain and Mind Are Inseparable
mind/body problem: a fundamental psychological issue that considers whether mind and body
are separate and distinct or whether the mind is simply the subjective experience of the
physical brain
through most of history, scholars believed that a divine and immortal soul separates
humans from nonhuman animals
dualism: the idea promoted by Rene Descartes that the mind and body are separate yet
intertwined
his view of dualism maintained the distinction between mind and body, but he assigned to
the body many of the mental functions previously considered the mind’s sovereign
domain (memory/imagination)
A New Biological Revolution Is Energizing Research
tremendous growth in the understanding of mental activities’ biological bases
contributing to the understanding of psychological phenomena
, Brain Chemistry:
growing understanding of brain chemistry- provided many insights into both mental
activity and behavior as well as development of treatments for various psychological
disorders
brain works through the actions of neurotransmitters, chemical that communicate
messages between nerve cells
The Human Genome:
understanding genetic processes’ influence on life
scientists have mapped the human genome and they have developed various techniques
for discovering the links between genes and behavior
almost all psychological and biological activity is affected by multiple genes’ actions
mapping the human genome has given scientists the foundational knowledge for studying
how specific genes affect thoughts, actions, feelings and disorders
Watching the Working Brain:
development of methods for assessing the brain in action
The Mind is Adaptive
evolutionary theory: in psychological science, a theory that emphasizes the inherited, adaptive
value of behavior and mental activity throughout the history of a species
the human mind has been shaped by evolution and the brain has evolved over millions of
years
adaptations: the physical characteristics, skills or abilities that increase the chances of
reproduction or survival and are therefore likely to be passed along to future generations
natural selection: Charles Darwin’s theory that those who inherit characteristics that help them
adapt to their particular environments have a selective advantage over those who do not
Solving Adaptive Problems:
many behaviors and attitudes can also be considered adaptive solutions to recurring
human problems
“visual cliff”: classic example of the way adaptive mechanisms develop- fear of heights is
surely an adaptive mechanisms that will enhance chances of survival
Modern Minds in Stone Age Skulls:
according to evolutionary theory, we need to be aware of the challenges our early
ancestors faced if we want to understand much of our current behavior
Culture Provides Adaptive Solutions:
many of the most demanding adaptive challenges involve dealing with other humans
the complexity of living in groups gives rise to culture, and culture’s various aspects are
transmitted from one generation to the next through learning
many of a culture’s “rules’ reflect adaptive solutions worked out by previous generations
within the last century there have been dramatic changes in how human societies interact-
flow of people, commodities, and financial instruments among all regions of the world
(globalization)
culture plays a foundational role in shaping how people view and reason about the world
around them and that people from different cultures possess strikingly different minds
Chapter 1: Introduction
psychological science: the study of the mind, brain and behavior
mind: refers to mental activity which results from biological processes in the brain- physical
brain enables the mind
behavior: used to describe a wide variety of actions, from the subtle to the complex, that occur in
all organisms
What Are the Seven Themes of Psychological Science?
1. Psychology is an empirical science
2. Nature and nurture are inextricably entwined
3. The brain and mind are inseparable
4. A new biological revolution is energizing research
5. The mind is adaptive
6. Psychological science crosses levels of analysis
7. We often are unaware of the multiple influences on how we think, feel and act
Psychology Is an Empirical Science
psychological scientists use the scientific method to understand how people think, feel
and act
scientific method: uses objective, systematic procedures that lead to an accurate understanding of
what is being studied
Nature and Nurture Are Inextricably Entwined
culture: the beliefs, values, rules and customs that exist within a group of people who share a
common language and environment that are transmitted through learning form one
generation to the next
nature/nurture debate: the arguments concerning whether psychological characteristics are
biologically innate or acquired through education, experience and culture
The Brain and Mind Are Inseparable
mind/body problem: a fundamental psychological issue that considers whether mind and body
are separate and distinct or whether the mind is simply the subjective experience of the
physical brain
through most of history, scholars believed that a divine and immortal soul separates
humans from nonhuman animals
dualism: the idea promoted by Rene Descartes that the mind and body are separate yet
intertwined
his view of dualism maintained the distinction between mind and body, but he assigned to
the body many of the mental functions previously considered the mind’s sovereign
domain (memory/imagination)
A New Biological Revolution Is Energizing Research
tremendous growth in the understanding of mental activities’ biological bases
contributing to the understanding of psychological phenomena
, Brain Chemistry:
growing understanding of brain chemistry- provided many insights into both mental
activity and behavior as well as development of treatments for various psychological
disorders
brain works through the actions of neurotransmitters, chemical that communicate
messages between nerve cells
The Human Genome:
understanding genetic processes’ influence on life
scientists have mapped the human genome and they have developed various techniques
for discovering the links between genes and behavior
almost all psychological and biological activity is affected by multiple genes’ actions
mapping the human genome has given scientists the foundational knowledge for studying
how specific genes affect thoughts, actions, feelings and disorders
Watching the Working Brain:
development of methods for assessing the brain in action
The Mind is Adaptive
evolutionary theory: in psychological science, a theory that emphasizes the inherited, adaptive
value of behavior and mental activity throughout the history of a species
the human mind has been shaped by evolution and the brain has evolved over millions of
years
adaptations: the physical characteristics, skills or abilities that increase the chances of
reproduction or survival and are therefore likely to be passed along to future generations
natural selection: Charles Darwin’s theory that those who inherit characteristics that help them
adapt to their particular environments have a selective advantage over those who do not
Solving Adaptive Problems:
many behaviors and attitudes can also be considered adaptive solutions to recurring
human problems
“visual cliff”: classic example of the way adaptive mechanisms develop- fear of heights is
surely an adaptive mechanisms that will enhance chances of survival
Modern Minds in Stone Age Skulls:
according to evolutionary theory, we need to be aware of the challenges our early
ancestors faced if we want to understand much of our current behavior
Culture Provides Adaptive Solutions:
many of the most demanding adaptive challenges involve dealing with other humans
the complexity of living in groups gives rise to culture, and culture’s various aspects are
transmitted from one generation to the next through learning
many of a culture’s “rules’ reflect adaptive solutions worked out by previous generations
within the last century there have been dramatic changes in how human societies interact-
flow of people, commodities, and financial instruments among all regions of the world
(globalization)
culture plays a foundational role in shaping how people view and reason about the world
around them and that people from different cultures possess strikingly different minds
