PSYC 102: Difficulties with Studying Behaviour

psychology studies behaviour within individuals

psychology suffers from a large amount of variability

nearly all behaviours are multiply determined

individuals influence the behaviour of individuals

the behaviour of individuals varies within culture

all behaviours can be explained by genetic factors

all behaviours can be explained by environmental factors

examining behaviour by looking at the biological processes of that behaviour

examining and learning how behaviours are learned

memory, how we process information, memory, how we reason

some of its claim is not falsifiable thus not as famous anymore

self actualization, human potential and human growth

how early childhood experiences influences our behaviours

T: Sigmund Freud; unconscious influences on behaviour, case studies, no research, grand theory of personality (ego, superego)

T: Wilhelm Wundt; scientific study of mind, introspection, the parts are greater than the whole

T: William James; functions of consciousness, thinking produces useful behaviours

T: Max Wertheimer; organization of cognitive processes, whole greater than sum of its parts

T: Pavlov, Watson, Thorndike, Skinner; mental processes unobservable and unverifiable, objects study of stimulus-response relations

T: Rogers, Maslow; opposed behaviourism, personal growth, self-actualization, positive side of human nature

T: Neisser, Simon; re-introduction of the study of mental processes and cognitive structures, reaction-time and accuracy

T: Sperry, Hubel, Wiesel, D.O. Hebb; brain function and behaviour, imaging techniques