Module 1: History and Scope of Psychology

Question 1

Empirical Approach

Answer 1

An evidence-based method that draws on observation and experimentation.

Question 2

Critical Thinking

Answer 2

Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

Question 3

Structuralism

Answer 3

An early school of thought promoted by Wundt and Titchener; used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind.

Question 4

Functionalism

Answer 4

An early school of thought promoted by James and influenced by Darwin; explored how mental and behavioral processes function—how they enable the organism to adapt, survive, and flourish.

Question 5

Behaviorism

Answer 5

The view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2). B.F. Skinner, a leading behaviorist, rejected introspection and studied how consequences shape behavior.

Question 6

Humanistic Psychology

Answer 6

A historically significant perspective that emphasized human growth potential.

Question 7

Psychoanalytic Psychology

Answer 7

Emphasized the ways our unconscious mind and childhood experiences affect our behavior, emphasized by Sigmund Freud.

Question 8

Cognitive Psychology

Answer 8

The study of mental processes, such as occurs when we perceive, learn, remember, think, communicate, and solve problems.

Question 9

Cognitive Neuroscience

Answer 9

The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language).

Question 10

Definition of Psychology Today

Answer 10

The science of behavior and mental processes.

Question 11

Nature-Nurture Issue

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Natural Selection

Answer 12

The principle that inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will (in competition with other trait variations) most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.

Question 13

Evolutionary Psychology

Answer 13

the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.

Question 14

Behavior Genetics

Answer 14

the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.

Question 15

Culture

Answer 15

the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.

Question 16

Positive Psychology

Answer 16

the scientific study of human flourishing, with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities to thrive.

Question 17

Levels of Analysis

Answer 17

the differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon.

Question 18

Biopsychosocial Approach

Answer 18

an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.

Question 19

Basic Research

Answer 19

pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base.

Question 20

Applied Research

Answer 20

a scientific study that aims to solve practical problems.

Question 21

Counseling Psychology

Answer 21

a branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often related to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being.

Question 22

Clinical Psychology

Answer 22

a branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders.

Question 23

Psychiatry

Answer 23

a branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who sometimes provide medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychological therapy.

Question 24

Community Psychology

Answer 24

a branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups.

Question 25

Introspection

Answer 25

the examination or observation of one’s own mental and emotional processes

Question 26

Sigmund Freud

Answer 26

an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, a clinical method for evaluating and treating pathologies in the psyche through dialogue between a patient and a psychoanalyst. Highlighted the importance of unconscious motivations.

Question 27

Edward Titchener

Answer 27

an English psychologist who studied under Wilhelm Wundt for several years. Titchener is best known for creating his version of psychology that described the structure of the mind: structuralism. He used introspection as a strategy for studying inner sensations.

Question 28

John B. Watson

Answer 28

an American psychologist who popularized the scientific theory of behaviorism (the study of observable behavior). Watson conducted the “Little Albert” study.

Question 29

Abraham Maslow

Answer 29

a humanistic psychologist who was best known for creating Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a theory of psychological health predicated on fulfilling innate human needs in priority,

Question 30

Carl Rodgers

Answer 30

a humanistic psychologist and noted as one of the founders of psychotherapy research