Psychology's History and Approaches

Question 0

Structuralism

Answer 0

An early school of psychology that uses introspection to explore the structural elements of the human mind.

Question 1

Empiricism

Answer 1

The view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should, therefore, rely on observation and experimentation.

Question 2

Functionalism

Answer 2

A school of psychology that focused on how our mental processes function – how they enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish.

Question 3

experimental psychology

Answer 3

The study of behavior and thinking using the experimental method

Question 4

behaviorism

Answer 4

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

Question 5

humanistic psychology

Answer 5

Historically significant perspective that emphasized the growth potential of healthy people and the individual’s potential for personal growth.

Question 6

cognitive neuroscience

Answer 6

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

Question 7

psychology

Answer 7

the science of behavior and mental processes.

Question 8

Biopsychosocial approach

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Biological psychology

Answer 9

A branch of psychology that studies the links between biological (including neuroscience and behavior genetics) and psychological processes.

Question 10

Evolutionary psychology

Answer 10

The study of the roots of behavior and mental processes using the principles of natural selection.

Question 11

Psychodynamic psychology

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Behavioral psychology

Answer 12

The scientific study of observable behavior, and it’s explanation by principles of learning.

Question 13

Cognitive psychology

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Social-cultural psychology

Answer 14

The study of how situations and cultures affect our behavior and thinking.

Question 15

Psychometrics

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Basic research

Answer 16

Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base.

Question 17

Developmental psychology

Answer 17

The scientific study of physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span.

Question 18

Educational psychology

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Personality psychology

Answer 19

The study of an individual’s characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting.

Question 20

Social psychology

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Applied research

Answer 21

Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems

Question 22

Industrial-organization psychology

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Human factors psychology

Answer 23

The study of how people and machines interact and the design of safe and easily used machines and environments.

Question 24

Counseling psychology

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Clinical psychology

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Psychiatry

Answer 26

A branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who often provide medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychotherapy.

Question 27

SQ3R

Answer 27

A study method incorporating five steps Aurvey, Question, Read, Rehearse, Review.

Question 28

Nature-nurture issue

Answer 28

The longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychology traits and behaviors. Today’s science sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of nature and nurture.

Question 29

Natural selection

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Levels of analysis

Answer 30

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