The Six Core Perspectives and Goals of Modern Psychology
The Four Goals of Psychology
- Description: Psychologists seek to describe how people behave, think, and feel.
- Explanation: They strive to understand and explain why people act the way they do, developing hypotheses and theories that specify the causes of behavior.
- Prediction/Control: By designing experiments and research, they test whether their proposed explanations are accurate.
- Application: Applying psychological knowledge in ways that enhance human welfare.
Levels of Analysis in Psychology
Psychological
Read MoreEssential Psychology Concepts: Intelligence, Social Influence, and Health
Module 20: Intelligence and IQ Measurement
This module covers fundamental concepts related to intelligence quotient (IQ) and different theories of cognitive ability.
Key Concepts in Intelligence
- Intelligence Quotient (IQ): A single score that presumably indicates a person’s general ability to reason, remember, and solve complex problems.
- Ratio IQ (Definition): A way of scoring IQ in children by dividing mental age by chronological age. It is the ratio of (a) the age you’d think a child would be based
Clinical Psychology: Core Concepts and Modern Applications
Cognitive Therapy (CT) Fundamentals
Cognitive Theory
Thoughts influence emotions and behaviors. By changing thought patterns, we can alter mood and actions.
Goals of CT
Identify and modify dysfunctional thoughts to improve mental health outcomes.
Key Figures in Cognitive Therapy
Aaron Beck (Cognitive Therapy): Developed cognitive restructuring techniques; emphasized identifying and challenging negative thought patterns.
Albert Ellis (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, REBT): Introduced the ABC model (Activating
Group Dynamics Fundamentals: 35 Key Concepts Q&A
Social Psychology and Group Dynamics Knowledge Assessment
Core Concepts from Chapters 1–6
1. Initiation and Hazing Criteria
An initiation becomes a form of hazing when:
Answer: It involves activities that are physically or psychologically harmful.
2. Illustrating Social Comparison
Denise thought the test was easy, but she was not sure. So, after she turns in her paper, she talks to her friends to see what they thought about the test. Denise’s actions best illustrate:
Answer: Social comparison.
3. Leary’s
Neurobiology of Trauma and Therapeutic Lenses
Neurobiology of Trauma Response
Key Brain Areas and Functions
- Reptilian Brain: Associated with survival instincts and the emotional brain. (Mnemonic: Fist)
- Limbic Area / Amygdala: Emotional processing center. (Mnemonic: Finger up)
- Frontal Cortex: Responsible for executive functions, reasoning, and making meaning.
Defining Theory
Theory Definition for a 12-Year-Old
The reasoning behind why and how a particular thing happens, supported by an evidence base.
Scientific Definition
A scientifically-based possible
Read MoreMastering APA Statistical Reporting and Research Design Principles
APA Statistical Reporting Examples
This section demonstrates how to report key statistical findings and sample characteristics using proper APA format.
Sample Size and Demographics
- Total Participants: The total sample size was reported as N = 98. (Note: The capitalized N represents the full sample; a lowercase n represents a subset.)
- South Asian Identification: 9.20% of the sample identified as South Asian.
- Male Participants: 50.00% of the sample was identified as men.
- Non-Respondents for Age: Six participants