Chapter 1 | Introduction to Psychology Key Terms

Question 1

American Psychological Association (APA)

Answer 1

professional organization representing psychologists in the United States

Question 2

Behaviorism

Answer 2

focus on observing and controlling behavior

Question 3

Biopsychology

Answer 3

study of how biology influences behavior

Question 4

Biopsychosocial model

Answer 4

perspective that asserts that biology, psychology, and social factors interact to determine an individual’s health

Question 5

Clinical psychology

Answer 5

area of psychology that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and other problematic patterns of behavior

Question 6

Cognitive psychology

Answer 6

study of cognitions, or thoughts, and their relationship to experiences and actions

Question 7

Counseling psychology

Answer 7

area of psychology that focuses on improving emotional, social, vocational, and other aspects of the lives of psychologically healthy individuals

Question 8

developmental psychology

Answer 8

scientific study of development across a lifespan

Question 9

dissertation

Answer 9

long research paper about research that was conducted as a part of the candidate’s doctoral training

Question 10

empirical method

Answer 10

method for acquiring knowledge based on observation, including experimentation, rather than a method based only on forms of logical argument or previous authorities

Question 11

forensic psychology

Answer 11

area of psychology that applies the science and practice of psychology to issues within and related to the justice system

Question 12

functionalism

Answer 12

focused on how mental activities help an organism adapt to its environment

Question 13

humanism

Answer 13

perspective within psychology that emphasizes the potential for good that is innate to all humans

Question 14

introspection

Answer 14

process by which someone examines their own conscious experience in an attempt to break it into its component parts

Question 15

personality psychology

Answer 15

study of patterns of thoughts and behaviors that make each individual unique

Question 16

personality trait

Answer 16

consistent pattern of thought and behavior

Question 17

PhD

Answer 17

(doctor of philosophy) doctoral degree conferred in many disciplinary perspectives housed in a traditional college of liberal arts and sciences

Question 18

postdoctoral training program

Answer 18

allows young scientists to further develop their research programs and broaden their research skills under the supervision of other professionals in the field

Question 19

psychoanalytic theory

Answer 19

focus on the role of the unconscious in affecting conscious behavior.

Question 20

psychology

Answer 20

scientific study of the mind and behavior

Question 21

PsyD

Answer 21

(doctor of psychology) doctoral degree that places less emphasis on research-oriented skills and focuses more on application of psychological principles in the clinical context

Question 22

sport and exercise psychology

Answer 22

area of psychology that focuses on the interactions between mental and emotional factors and physical performance in sports, exercise, and other activities

Question 23

structuralism

Answer 23

understanding the conscious experience through introspection