Foundations: History Flashcards
psychology
the scientific study of behavior and mental processes
behavior
he way an organism reacts to changes in its internal condition or external environment.
mind and brain
the brain is the physical matter. The mind is the thoughts and ideas.
rene descartes
17th century French philosopher; wrote Discourse on Method; 1st principle “i think therefore i am”; believed mind and matter were completely separate; known as father of modern rationalism
dualism
the presumption that mind and body are two distinct entities that interact
john locke
17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings and who asserted that people have a natural right to life
empiricism
the view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should, therefore, rely on observation and experimentation
tabula rasa
John Locke’s concept of the mind as a blank sheet ultimately bombarded by sense impressions that, aided by human reasoning, formulate ideas.
thomas hobbes
English materialist and political philosopher who advocated absolute sovereignty as the only kind of government that could resolve problems caused by the selfishness of human beings (1588-1679)
materialism
a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values.
charles darwin
English natural scientist who formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection (1809-1882)
evolutionary theory
A theory presented by the naturalist Charles Darwin; it views the history of a species in terms of the inherited, adaptive value of physical characteristics, of mental activity, and of behavior.
natural selection
A process in which individuals that have certain inherited traits tend to survive and reproduce at higher rates than other individuals because of those traits.
wilhelm wundt
german physiologist who founded psychology as a formal science; opened first psychology research laboratory in 1879
structuralism
an early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the elemental structure of the human mind
edward titchener
Student of Wilhelm Wundt; founder of Structuralist school of psychology.
introspection
A method of self-observation in which participants report their thoughts and feelings
william james
1842-1910; Field: functionalism; Contributions: studied how humans use perception to function in our environment; Studies: Pragmatism, The Meaning of Truth
functionalism
A school of psychology that focused on how our mental and behavioral processes function - how they enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish.
dorothea dix
A reformer and pioneer in the movement to treat the insane as mentally ill, beginning in the 1820’s, she was responsible for improving conditions in jails, poorhouses and insane asylums throughout the U.S. and Canada. She succeeded in persuading many states to assume responsibility for the care of the mentally ill. She served as the Superintendant of Nurses for the Union Army during the Civil War.
mary whiton calkins
American psychologist who conducted research on memory, personality, and dreams; first woman president of the American Psychological Association
margaret floy washburn - First female to be awarded a PhD in psychology; 2nd president of the APA (1921)
First female to be awarded a PhD in psychology; 2nd president of the APA (1921)
g. stanley hall
american psychologist who established the first psychology research laboratory in the United States and founded the American Psychological Association
biological psychology
a branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior
behavioral genetics
the study of the effects of heredity on behavior
behaviorism
the science of behavior that focuses on observable behavior only
john watson and classical conditioning
American Psychologist often referred to as the father of behaviorism; a learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired: a response which is at first elicited by the second stimulus is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
b.f. skinner and operant conditioning
Personality development is based on behaviors that are either rewarded or punished in the environment. “personality” may just be sustained behavioral patterns.
behavior modification
the use of operant conditioning techniques to bring about desired changes in behavior
cognitive psychology
the scientific study of mental processes, including perception, thought, memory, and reasoning
humanistic approach
An approach to psychology emphasizing a person’s positive qualities, the capacity for positive growth, and the freedom to choose any destiny.
abraham maslow and self-actualization
Hierarchy of needs, well-adjusted people try to “actualize” themselves; live in a way that enhances their own growth and fulfillment, regardless of what others think, unconventional and creative thinkers, realists, set goals, form deep close relationships
carl rogers and unconditional positive regard
the basic acceptance and support of a person regardless of what the person says or does, especially in the context of client-centered therapy
psychodynamic/psychoanalytic approach
A view developed by Freud that emphasizes the interplay of unconscious mental processes in determining human thought, feelings, and behavior.
sigmund freud
Austrian physician whose work focused on the unconscious causes of behavior and personality formation; founded psychoanalysis.
psychoanalytic theory
A theory developed by Freud that attempts to explain personality, motivation, and mental disorders by focusing on unconscious determinants of behavior
Conscious mind
level of the mind that is aware of immediate surroundings and perceptions
unconscious mind
level of the mind in which thoughts, feelings, memories, and other information are kept that are not easily or voluntarily brought into consciousness
repressed
restrained, inhibited, or oppressed
sociocultural approach
An approach to psychology that examines the ways in which social and cultural environments influence behavior.
evolutionary approach
An approach to psychology centered on evolutionary ideas such as adaptation, reproduction, and natural selection as the basis for explaining specific human behaviors.
biopsychosocial approach
an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis
biological domain
Humans are collections of biological systems, and these systems provide building blocks for behavior, thought, and emotion
social domain
the domain that focuses on an individual’s relationships within family, social groups, and the community
cognitive domain
The domain involved in the learning and storage of basic knowledge. It is the thinking portion of the learning process and incorporates an individual’s previous experiences and perceptions; the learning/thinking domain.
counseling domain
a branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often related to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being
developmental domain
An area of development such as fine and gross motor skills, cognitive abilities, self-help capabilities, and social and communication skills.
educational domain
studies how psychological processes affect and can enhance teaching and learning
experimental domain
Studies behavior and thinking using the experimental method
industrial-organizational domain
the application of psychological concepts and methods to optimizing human behavior in workplaces
personality domain
those aspects of development that involve acquiring relatively stable and enduring traits, as well as a sense of self as an individual
psychometric domain
Measures a person’s psychological attributes such as knowledge, skills, problem-solving ability, and other abilities someone might need to work in a specific field
positive domain
study of human functioning; goal to discover and promote strengths that help people thrive
