psych final Flashcards
empirical approach
an evidence based method that draws on observation and experimentation
critical thinking
Thinking that does not automatically accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.
structuralism
An early school of thought promoted by Wundt and Titchener; used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind.
functionalism
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.
behaviorism
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).
humanistic psychology
Historically significant perspective that emphasized human growth potential.
cognitive psychology
The study of mental processes, such as occur when we perceive, learn, remember, think, communicate, and solve problems.
cognitive neuroscience
The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language).
psychology
The science of behavior and mental processes.
nature–nurture issue
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.
natural selection
The principle that the inherited traits enabling 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.
evolutionary psychology
The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.
behavior genetics
The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.
