AP Psychology Unit 1 Terms Flashcards
The view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should, therefore, rely on observation and experimentation
Empiricism
An early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the structural elements of the human mind
Structuralism
A school of psychology that focused on how our mental and behavioral processes function and how they enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish
Functionalism
The study of behavior and thinking using the experimental method
Experimental Psychology
The view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2).
Behaviorism
Historically significant perspective that emphasized the growth potential of healthy people and the individual’s potential for personal growth
Humanistic Psychology
The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language)
Cognitive Neuroscience
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Psychology
The longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors. Today’s science sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of nature and nurture
Nature-Nurture Issue
The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations
Natural Selection
The differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon
Levels of Analysis
An integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis
Biopsychosocial Approach
A branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior
Biological Psychology
The study of the roots of behavior and mental processes using the principles of natural selection
Evolutionary Psychology
A branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior, and uses that information to treat people with psychological disorders
Psychodynamic Psychology
The scientific study of observable behavior, and its explanation by principles of learning
Behavioral Psychology
The scientific study of all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating
Cognitive Psychology
The study of how situations and cultures affect our behavior and thinking
Social-Cultural Psychology
The scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes, and traits
Psychometrics
Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base
Basic Research
A branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span (womb to tomb)
Developmental Psychology
The study of how psychological processes affect and can enhance teaching and learning
Educational Psychology
The study of an individual’s characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting
Personality Psychology
The scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another
Social Psychology
Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems
Applied Research
The application of psychological concepts and methods to optimizing human behavior in workplaces
Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology
A branch of psychology that explores how people and machines interact and how machines and physical environments can be made safe and easy to use
Human Factors Psychology
A branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often related to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being
Counseling Psychology
A branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders
Clinical Psychology
A branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who sometimes provide medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychological therapy
Psychiatry
A study method incorporating five steps: Survey, Question, Read, Rehearse, Review
SQ3R
