Prologue Flashcards
Empiricism
The view that knowledge comes from experiences via the senses and (b) science flourishes through observation and experiment
Psychology
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Structuralism
an early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the elemental structure of the human mind
Functionalism
a school of psychology that focused on how mental and behavioral processes function-how they enable the organism to adapt, survive, and flourish
humanistic psychology
emphasized the growth potential of healthy people; used personalized methods to study personality in hopes of fostering personal growth
Nature-Nurture Issue
the longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors.
Natural Selection
The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.
Levels of analysis
the differing complementary views for analyzing any given phenomenon.
Biopsychosocial approach
An integrated perspective that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.
Plato
student of Socrates-mind is separate from the body and knowledge is born within us
Socrates
Plato’s teacher-mind is separate from body and knowledge is born within us. derived principles by logic.
Aristotle
derived principles by observation-knowledge grows from experiences.
Descartes
“father of modern science”. Believed abnormal behavior was caused by abnormalities in the brain instead of supernatural causes. Mind and body are distinct and separate.
Francis Bacon
Introduced the scientific method which implies drawing knowledge from the natural world through experimentation, observation and testing a hypothesis
John Locke
Adapted the theory of tabula rasa. Believed humans are born as a blank slate and we build who we are through experiences. Formed modern empiricism.
Wilhelm Wundt
opened first laboratory in Germany. And conducted psychology’s first experiment.
Edward Titchener
Brought structuralism to the U.S. and opened first U.S. laboratory
William James
One of the first US psychologists. Developed functionalism. Wrote “Principles of Psychology”
Mary Calkins
student of James. Became pioneering memory researcher and the first female APA president.
Margaret Floy Washburn
The first woman to receive a psychology PhD. Synthesized animal behavior research in the Animal Mind.
Humanistic Psychology
looking at self actualization and how to reach full potential of self.
Evolutionary Perspective
How the natural selection of traits promotes the perpetuation of ones genes.
Behavior Genetics Perspective
How much our genes and our environment influence our individual differences
Neuroscience Perspectives
How the body and brain enable emotions, memories, and sensory experiences.
Psychodynamic Perspective
Looking at the unconcious. Psychologist who studies how unconscious motives and conflicts determine human behavior.
Behavioral Perspective
Observing behavior. Positive and negative reinforcers. A psychologist who analyzes how organisms learn or modify their behavior based on their response to events in the environment.
Cognitive Perspective
mental processes.
Social Cultural Perspective
Looking at the culture and social group that one is in, and how it influences a person’s behavior. How behavior and thinking vary across situations and cultures.
Basic Research
Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base.
Applied Research
Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems.
Biological Psychologists
Looking at the biological state of the body and how it influences behavior (brain, genetics, etc). Exploring links between brain and mind.
Developmental Psychologists
studying our changing abilities from womb to tomb
Cognitive Psychologists
Experimenting how we perceive, think, and solve problems
Personality Psychologists
investigating our persistent traits
Social Psychologists
exploring how we view and affect one another
Counseling Psychology
Helps people cope with challenges by recognizing their strengths and resources
Clinical Psychology
assess and treat people with psychological disorders
Psychiatry
dealing with psychological disorders. Able to provide medical treatments as well as psychological therapy.
