Chapter 1 Flashcards
Psychology
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Behavior
Any actions that other people can observe or measures
Cognitive Activities
Private, unobservable mental processes: sensation, perception, thought, and problem solving.
Psychological Constructs
Theoretical entities, or concepts, that enable one to discuss something that cannot be seen, touched, or measured directly
Theory
Statement that attempts to explain why things are the way they are and happen the way they do
Basic Research
Research that has no immediate application and is done for its own sake
Introspection
An examination into one’s own thoughts and feelings
Associationism
A learned connection between two ideas or events
Structuralism
Founded by William Wundt, maintains that conscious experiences breaks down into objective sensations and subjective feelings
Principle
A rule or law
Functionalism
Founded by William James, emphasizes the purposes of behavior and mental processes
Behaviorism
Founded by James Watson, defines psychology at the scientific study of observable behavior
Gestalt Psychology
Emphasizes the tendency to organize perceptions into meaningful wholes
Psychoanalysis
Founded by Sigmund Freud , emphasizes the importance of unconscious motives and conflicts as determinants of human behavior
Psychodynamic thinking
The theory that most of what fills an individual’s mind is unconscious and consists of conflicting impulses, urges, and wishes
Biological perspective
Stresses the influence of biology on behavior
Evolutionary Perspective
Theory focusing on the evolution of behavior and mental processes
Cognitive Perspective
Viewpoint that stresses that thought processes largely determine behavior
Humanistic Perspective
Psychological view that assumes the existence of the self emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and the freedom to make choices
Psychoanalytic Perspective
Perspective that stresses the influences of unconscious forces on human behavior
Learning Perspective
Psychological point of view that emphasizes the effects of experience on behavior
Social-Learning Theory
Theory that suggests that people have the ability to change their environments or create new ones
Sociocultural perspective
In psychology, the perspective that focuses on the roles of ethnicity, gender, culture, and socioeconomic status in personality formation, behavior, and mental processes
Ethnic Group
Group united by cultural heritage, race, language, or common history
