Question

1) Compare and contrast the conscious versus unconscious process issue in psychology with the observable versus internal mental processes issue.

2) How might psychologists use individual differences versus universal principles to understand a phenomenon like romantic attraction between two people?

3) How does the Psychodynamic theory differ from the humanistic theory. How are they similar and how are they they dissimilar?

4) How is it that the experimental method allows researchers to draw cause and effect conclusions? Identify critical elements of the experimental method and explain how each helps enable the development of valid causal conclusions?

Answer 1

1.Conscious mind is logical and sequential.It remember bit by bit information and responsible for expressing our linguistic and verbal languages.They are alert at every moment.Whereas unconsicous mind is not active at the current but it is responsible for functioning of various body system feeling of pain,heart beats,blood circulation,functioning of digestive system etc.

Observable behaviour are those that can be seen outside an individual.Internal mental process includes the things that a person hides in himself and not like to express to anyone.

While comparing the two we can conclude that observable behaviour is expressed by conscious mind and internal mental processes is in their unconscious mind.

2.Individual differences refers to those traits or characteristics that differentiate each individual from others.Universal principles is what our society teaches may be in the form of culture,religion,caste and its all about society demands.

In case of romantic attraction it works more on the basis of individual differences than those based on universal principles of the society.

3.Psychodynamic theory focuses that an individuals experiences in his early child hood may influence him in his future causing more of negative consequense as the events are recorded in their unconsicous mind.Humanistic theory is based on the study on understanding the individual as a whole and identifying his flaws so that he can correct himselves.

Both theories are essential for developing and helps in bringing out the best out of an individual.This is the similarity seen under the situation.

4.Experimental method refers to scientific approach used in pscychology in problem solving and understanding the human behaviour.It helps in hypothesis testing approach by identifying various kinds of variables in the study and establish a cause and effect relationship.Different random assignments can be provided to the various groups to evaluate the study.