Introduction to Psychology Flashcards
William Wundt
First psychologist.
Introspection
The process by which an individual examines their mind in the most objective way possible.
Structuralism
Developed by a student of Wundt. Focused on the contents of mental processes rather than their function.
William James
Founder of Functionalism.
Functionalism
The study of how mental processes allow an organism to survive in its environment, based on Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. Focused on the mind as a whole, rather than in parts, as seen in structuralism.
Sigmund Freud
The developer of the psychoanalytic theory.
Psychoanalytic Theory
Focuses on the role of a person’s unconscious. Was the most influential psychological thought for decades.
Gestalt Psychology
Although sensory stimuli can be broken into many parts, it is the interaction between these parts that determine someone’s perception.
Behaviorism
Psychology is limited to observable phenomena, so should be limited to behavior - stimuli and responses.
Humanist Perspective
Stressed individual choice and free will
Biopsychology
Explains psychology through strictly biological means
Evolutionary/Darwinian Perspective
Examines psychology through evolution.
Cognitive Perspective
Believes that how an individual views the world is important to psychology (eg. Extroversion may be an effect of interpretation of social events. Extroversion may seem like the personality trait that makes sense.)
Social-cultural Perspective
Examines the influence culture has on psychology.
Mary Whiton Calkins
Studied with William James and became president of the APA.
Margaret Floy Washburn
First woman to earn a PhD in psychology.
G. Stanley Hall
Pioneer of the study of child development and the first president of the APA.
Max Wertheimer
Prominent Gestalt Psychologist.
John B. Watson
Founder of behaviorism based off of Pavlov’s conditioning experiments.
Ivan Pavlov
Conducted famous conditioning experiments with dogs.
B.F. Skinner
Expanded on behaviorism by adding the concept of reinforcement.
Abraham Maslow
Humanist psychologist.
Carl Rogers
Humanist psychologist
Charles Darwin
Theory of Evolution
Jean Piaget
Cognitive psychologist, cognitive development theory.
Eclectic
Combination of many perspectives (most common in contemporary times)
Biopsychosocial Model
Biology, psychology, and social factors determine the health of an individual.
Clinical Psychology
Deals with the diagnostic and treatment of psychological disorders.
Counselling Psychology
Area of psychology that focuses on improving emotional, social, vocational, and other aspects of the lives of psychologically healthy individuals
Dissertation
A long research paper about research that was conducted as a part of the candidate’s doctoral training
Empirical method
A method for acquiring knowledge based on observation, including experimentation, rather than a method based only on forms of logical argument or previous authorities
Forensic Psychology
An area of psychology that applies the science and practice of psychology to issues within and related to the justice system
“Ology”
Suffix for “scientific study of”, eg. psychology.
Postdoctoral Training Program
Allows young scientists to further develop their research programs and broaden their research skills under the supervision of other professionals in the field
Sport and Exercise Psychology
Focuses on the interactions between the mind and physical activities.
