Prologue: Basics of Psychology Flashcards
Psychology
Science of behavior and mental processes
Cognitive neuroscience
Inter-disciplinary study of brain activity linked with cognition(including perception, thinking, memory, and language)
Nature vs. Nurture
Controversy over the contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors. Modern science sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of both nature and nurture
Natural Selection
The principle that among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction/survival will most likely be passed on
Levels of Analysis
Differing complementary views, from biological, psychological, and social-cultural used for analyzing any phenomenon
Bio-psycho-social Approach
An integrated approach that incorporates bio, psycho, and social-cultural levels of analysis
Basic Research
Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base
Applied Research
Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems
Counseling Psychology
A branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often relating to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being
Clinical PSychology
A branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders
Psychiatry
A branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who some times provide medical treatments as well as psychological therapy
Positive Psychology
Scientific study of human functioning, with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths/virtues that help people and communities to thrive
Behaviorism
Idea that psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists agree with the first part by not the second part
Community Pscyhology
A branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups
Humanistic Psychology
Historically significant perspective that emphasized the growth of potentially healthy people and the individual’s potential for personal growth
Psychology’s Roots
The beginning of psychology, starting with philosophy, biology, and religion.
Atoms of the Mind
The original experiment Wilhelm Wundt performed in 1879 in the first psychology lab, in order to find study mental functions/processes and their efficiency
Introspection
The psychological practice of patients thinking about their mental processes and emotions in order to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and for psychologist to learn. Proved incredibly unreliable due to the variety of backgrounds people have that influence their answers
Structuralism
The belief that psychology should be processed/learned about through introspection (known as a school)
Functionalism
The school of thought which believes in psychology through an evolutionary, biological, and behavioral lens in order to study people and try to provide answers to questions. Much more reliable and popular than structuralism/introspection
APA
American Psychological Association, Mary Whiton Calkin was President of it in 1905
The Animal Mind
Margaret Floy Washburn’s psychology book which had great impact on psychology of the day- closer gender equality
Principles of Psychology
The 12 years in the making book (published in 1890) by William James that was one of the greatest and most helpful resources to teach the public psychology (first psych textbook)
Cognitive Psychology
The study of mental processes, especially in regards to external stimuli/information
Cognitive Revolution
A shift in psychology to have greater focus on the brain and its functions, occurring in the 1960s and thus applying it to psychological studies/branches
Behaviors
The actions displayed by any living thing that can be seen, heard, and documented
Mental Processes
Internal actions (documented by behaviors) that the brain does to interpret an organism’s surroundings
Philosophy
The questioning of life in an attempt to find the way and meaning of human life/purpose
Biology
The study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment
Charles Darwin
A famous English Scientist who traveled to Guatemala and after this travel proposed the theory of evolution and natural selection
The Origin of Species
The book by Charles Darwin which explains his theory of evolution and natural selection
Psychobiology
The study of how the mind influences the body and the body’s reactions to the mind
Developmental Psychology
The study of of the mind at different points in a person’s life (milestones)
Neuropsychology
The study of the brain and how it influences the mind, specifically with chemicals and emotions
Social Psychology
The study of how people interact in social situations in comparison to small groups/alone- also in response to authority
Personality Psychology
The study of people’s personalities, common traits in most people, and what effects people’s personalities
Cultural Psychology
How cultural values and beliefs influence behaviors and mental processes/perceptions
Health Psychology
How one’s physical health and behaviors are influenced by their minds
Educational Psychology
The study of learning and learning behaviors (Ivan Pavlov)
School Psychology
The combination of several types of psychology to help children succeed in school both intellectually and emotionally
Experimental Psychology
Psychology in which experiments are performed in order to gain knowledge in all aspects of psychology
Rehabilitation Psychology
The study of how to improve the daily lives of people with severe issues
Sports Psychology
Study of how sports are impacted by genes/the mind and vice versa (influenced by anatomy/sports related science)
Environmental Psychology
The study of how the environment one lives in effects their behaviors and perceptions
Industrial/Organizational Psycology
Implementing helpful work methods for employees that encourage hard work while also aiding in increasing company production and functioning
Ergonomist
A person who uses science to ensure all the needs of people are met and that they can use safe equipment
Psychometrician
Someone who creates tests to measure varying aspects of psychology (IQ, etc.)
Forensic Psychologist
Study of crime scenes and forensic evidence in order to solve crimes
Psycholinguistics
Study of the brain and how it relates to language, especially how we form and gain the skill to listen and talk
Dualism
Belief that your body is entirely separate from your mind (Body vs. Soul)
Monism
Body and mind are same entity (Dying is just dying)
Father of Psychology
Title given to Wilhelm Wundt due to his founding of the first psychology lab and experiment
Psycholhistory
How historical events are influenced by psychology (Hitler=crazy?) [NEVER A CORRECT ANSWER, COMPLETELY FAKE]
Psycholinguist
A psychologist who studies language and studies its crossroads with other studies
Psychoceramics
A humorous term coined by Josiah S. Carberry in 1929 as “cracked pots” with its meaning [Just a joking term/a joke itself]
Gestalt Psychology
Study of how we notice certain things and not others despite all the randomness
Psychoanalytic Theory
Freud’s theory of unconscious desires fueled by childhood events that drive our actions/motives
Psychodynamic Theory
A theory which states that there are levels of consciousness which express beliefs differently
Ethics
A philosophical belief/topic that discusses the difference between good and bad
Allele 334
An allele which theoretically predicts the fidelity of a man who does or doesn’t carry it (Will he cheat or not)
Phenomenology
How people consciously experience things and how it affects their behaviors
Engineering Psychologist
Similar to humanistic psychology, except it is with machines in order to make them as effective as possible
Eclectic Approach
A way of psychological treatment that combines multiple treatments/ideas to meet an individual’s needs
Phrenology
Study of bumps/dents/shape on and of the skull and how that influences personality
