Psychology: Module 1 Vocabulary

Question 1

The view that all knowledge originates from experience and that science should therefore originate from observation and experimentation

Answer 1

Empiricism

Question 2

Early school of thought promoted by Wundt and tichner; used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind

Answer 2

Structuralism

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Functionalism

Question 4

The study of behavior and thinking using the experimental method

Answer 4

Experimental psychology

Question 5

The view of psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studied behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists agree with (1) but not with (2)

Answer 5

Behaviorism

Question 6

A historically significant perspective that emphasized the growth and potential of healthy people

Answer 6

Humanistic psychology

Question 7

The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language)

Answer 7

Cognitive neuroscience

Question 8

The science of behavior and mental processes

Answer 8

Psychology

Question 9

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

Answer 9

Nature-nurture issue

Question 10

The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passes on to succeeding generations

Answer 10

Natural selection

Question 11

The differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomena

Answer 11

Levels of analysis

Question 12

An integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis

Answer 12

Biopsychosocial approach

Question 13

The scientific study of observable behavior, and its explanation by principles of learning

Answer 13

Behavioral psychology

Question 14

The scientific study of the links between biological (genes, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes

Answer 14

Biological psychology

Question 15

The scientific study of all mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering and communicating

Answer 15

Cognitive psychology

Question 16

The study of the evolution of behavior and mind, using principles of natural selection

Answer 16

Evolutionary psychology

Question 17

A branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior, and uses that information to treat people with psychological disorders

Answer 17

Psychodynamic psychology

Question 18

The study of how situations and cultural science affect our behavior and thinking

Answer 18

Socio-cultural psychology

Question 19

The scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes, and traits

Answer 19

Psychometrics

Question 20

Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base

Answer 20

Basic research

Question 21

A branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social changes throughout the life span

Answer 21

Developmental psychology

Question 22

The study of how psychological processes affect and can enhance teaching and learning

Answer 22

Educational psychology

Question 23

The study of an individuals characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting

Answer 23

Personality psychology

Question 24

The scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another

Answer 24

Social psychology

Question 25

Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems

Answer 25

Applied research

Question 26

The application of psychological concepts and methods to optimizing human behavior in workplaces

Answer 26

Industrial-organizational psychology

Question 27

An I/O psychology subfield that explores how people and machine interact and how machines and physical environments can be made safe an easy to use

Answer 27

Human factors psychology

Question 28

A branch of psychology that assist people with problems in living (often related to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well being

Answer 28

Counseling psychology

Question 29

A branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders

Answer 29

Clinical psychology

Question 30

A branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders, practiced by physicians who sometimes provide medical (ex: drugs) treatments as well as psychological therapy

Answer 30

Psychiatry

Question 31

The scientific study of human functioning with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities to thrive

Answer 31

Positive psychology

Question 32

A branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups

Answer 32

Community psychology

Question 33

Enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading information (also sometimes referred to as a retrieval practice affect of test-enhanced learning)

Answer 33

Testing effect

Question 34

A study method incorporating five steps: survey, question, read, retrieve, review

Answer 34

SQ3R