Prologue Textbook Definitions

Question 1

Psychology
pg.2

Answer 1

the scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Question 2

Schools of thought
Empiricism
pg. 2

structuralism
pg. 4

Functionalism
pg.5

Humanistic psychology
pg. 6

Behaviorism:

Answer 2

E,porsom: The view that knowledge comes from experience via the senses, therefor science should focus on observation and experience
Nurture over nature
John Lock, Rene Descartes

structuralism:
An early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the structure of the mind
Edward Titchener

introspection: persons report on their own experiences and senses

Functionalism:
A school of psychology that focuses on how mental and behavioral processes function-how they enable the organism to adapt, survive, and flourish
William James

Humanistic psychology:
historically significant perspective that emphasizes the growth potential of healthy people: used personal methods to study personality in hopes of fostering personal growth
*Carl Rodgers, Aberham Maslaw**

Behaviorism:
focuses on how people learn through their interactions with the environment conditioning
John Watson

Question 3

Nature-Nurture issue
pg. 8

Answer 3

the long-standing controversy over the relation contributing to the development of psychological traits and behaviors

Question 4

natural selection
pg. 8

Answer 4

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

Question 5

levels of analysis
pg, 10

biopsychosocial approach

Answer 5

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

biopsychosocial approach: an integrated perspective that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels

Question 6

basic research
pg. 13

applied research
pg. 13

Answer 6

basic research: pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base

applied research :
sacrifice study that aims to solve practical problems

Question 7

counseling psychology
pg.13

clinical psychology
pg.13

psychiatry
pg. 13

Answer 7

a branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often related with 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 sometimes provide medical (ex. drugs) treatments as well as psychological therapy
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