Psychology Chapter 1 Flashcards
Psychology
The scientific study of the mind
Since science studies only observable phenomena and the mind is not directly observable, we expand this definition to the scientific study of mind and behavior.
Structuralism
Wilhelm Wundt
Understanding the Conscious experience through introspection.
These experimental requirements were put in place to eliminate “interpretation” in the reporting of internal experiences and to counter the argument that there is no way to know that an individual is observing their mind or consciousness accurately, since it cannot be seen by any other person
Functionalism
focused on how mental activities helped an organism adapt to its environment
William James was introduced to Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection and accepted it as an explanation of an organism’s characteristics. Key to that theory is the idea that natural selection leads to organisms that are adapted to their environment, including their behavior. Adaptation means that a trait of an organism has a function for the survival and reproduction of the individual, because it has been naturally selected.
Functionalism has a second, more subtle meaning in that functionalists were more interested in the operation of the whole mind rather than of its individual parts, which were the focus of structuralism. Like Wundt, James believed that introspection could serve as one means by which someone might study mental activities, but James also relied on more objective measures, including the use of various recording devices, and examinations of concrete products of mental activities and of anatomy and physiology
Behaviorism
Focus on observing and controlling behavior
John B Watson was a major proponent of shifting the focus of psychology from the mind to behavior
A major object of study by behaviorists was learned behavior and its interaction with inborn qualities of the organism.
Skinner Box
a chamber that isolates the subject from the external environment and has a behavior indicator such as a lever or a button
Humanism
perspective within psychology that emphasizes the potential for good that is innate to all humans. Two of the most well-known proponents of humanistic psychology are Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers
Abraham Maslow (1908-1970)
An American psychologist who is best known for proposing a hierarchy of human needs in motivating behavior. Maslow asserted that so long as basic needs necessary for survival were met (e.g., food, water, shelter), higher-level needs (e.g., social needs) would begin to motivate behavior.
Unconditional Positive Regard
the fact that the therapist accepts their client for who they are, no matter what he or she might say. Provided these factors, Rogers believed that people were more than capable of dealing with and working through their own issues
Biopsychology
Study of how biology influences behavior. While biological psychology is a broad field, many biological psychologists want to understand how the structure and function of the nervous system is related to behavior
Margaret Floy Washburn
First woman to earn a doctorate in Psychology. Researched an animal behavior, and published an authoriative text on the subject
Personality Psychology
Study of patterns of thoughts and behaviors that make each individual unique.
Freud proposed that personality arose as conflicts between the conscious and unconscious parts of the mind were carried out over the lifespan. Specifically, Freud theorized that an individual went through various psychosexual stages of development.
According to Freud, adult personality would result from the resolution of various conflicts that centered on the migration of erogenous (or sexual pleasure-producing) zones from the oral (mouth) to the anus to the phallus to the genitals.
Clinical Psychology
Area of psychology that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and other problematic patterns of behavior.
As such, it is generally considered to be a more applied area within psychology; however, some clinicians are also actively engaged in scientific research
Counseling Psychology
A similar discipline that focuses on emotional social vocational, and health related outcomes in individuals who are considered psychologically healthy.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology
A subfield of psychology that applies psychological theories, principles, and research findings in industrial and organizational settings. I-O psychologists are often involved in issues related to personnel management, organizational structure, and workplace environment.
