Psychological Foundations

Question 1

empirical method

Answer 1

method for acquiring knowledge based on observation, including experimentation, rather than a method based only on forms of logical argument or previous authorities

Question 2

psychology

Answer 2

the scientific study of mental processes and behavior

Question 3

functionalism

Answer 3

focused on how mental activities helped an organism adapt to its environment

Question 4

structuralism

Answer 4

understanding the conscious experience through introspection

Question 5

psychoanalytic theory

Answer 5

focus on the role of the unconscious in affecting conscious behavior

Question 6

behaviorism

Answer 6

focus on observing and controlling behavior

Question 7

humanism

Answer 7

perspective within psychology that emphasizes the potential for good that is innate to all humans

Question 8

American Psychological Association

Answer 8

professional organization representing psychologists in the United States

Question 9

biopsychology

Answer 9

study of how biology influences behavior

Question 10

evolutionary psychology

Answer 10

seeks to understand human behavior as the result of psychological adaptation and natural selection

Question 11

natural selection

Answer 11

a process by which heritable traits conferring survival and reproductive advantage to individuals tend to be passed on to succeeding generations and become more frequent in a population

Question 12

cognitive psychology

Answer 12

area of psychology that focuses on studying thoughts and their relationship to our experiences and actions.

Question 13

developmental psychology

Answer 13

scientific study of development across a lifespan

Question 14

personality psychology

Answer 14

study of patterns of thoughts and behaviors that make each individual unique

Question 15

personality trait

Answer 15

consistent pattern of thought and behavior

Question 16

biopsychosocial model

Answer 16

perspective that asserts that biology, psychology, and social factors interact to determine an individual’s health

Question 17

clinical psychology

Answer 17

area of psychology that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and other problematic patterns of behavior

Question 18

forensic psychology

Answer 18

area of psychology that applies the science and practice of psychology to issues within and related to the justice system

Question 19

sport and exercise psychology

Answer 19

area of psychology that focuses on the interactions between mental and emotional factors and physical performance in sports, exercise, and other activities

Question 20

PhD

Answer 20

(doctor of philosophy) doctoral degree conferred in many disciplinary perspectives housed in a traditional college of liberal arts and sciences

Question 21

postdoctoral training program

Answer 21

allows young scientists to further develop their research programs and broaden their research skills under the supervision of other professionals in the field

Question 22

PsyD

Answer 22

(doctor of psychology) doctoral degree that places less emphasis on research-oriented skills and focuses more on application of psychological principles in the clinical context