Unit 1

Question 1

Critical thinking

Answer 1

Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

Question 2

Empiricism

Answer 2

The idea that knowledge comes from experience, and that observation and experimentation enable scientific knowledge.

Question 3

Structuralism

Answer 3

An early school of thought promoted by Wundt and Titchener; used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind.

Question 4

Introspection

Answer 4

The process of looking inward in an attempt to directly observe one’s own psychological processes.

Question 5

Functionalism

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Behaviorism

Answer 6

The view that psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior without reference to mental processes.

Question 7

Psychoanalytic psychology

Answer 7

The field of psychology that emphasizes the ways our unconscious mind and childhood experiences affect our behavior.

Question 8

Humanistic psychology

Answer 8

A historically significant perspective that emphasized human growth potential.

Question 9

Cognitive psychology

Answer 9

The study of mental processes, such as occur when we perceive, learn, remember, think, communicate, and solve problems.

Question 10

Cognitive neuroscience

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Psychology

Answer 11

The science of behavior and mental processes.

Question 12

Nature-nurture issue

Answer 12

The longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors.

Question 13

Natural selection

Answer 13

The principle that inherited traits that better enable 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.

Question 14

Evolutionary psychology

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Behavior genetics

Answer 15

The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.

Question 16

Culture

Answer 16

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.

Question 17

Positive psychology

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Biopsychosocial approach

Answer 18

An integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural viewpoints.

Question 19

Behavioral psychology

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Biological psychology

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Psychodynamic psychology

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Social-cultural psychology

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Testing effect

Answer 23

Enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading, information. Also referred to as a retrieval practice effect or test-enhanced learning.

Question 24

SQ3R

Answer 24

A study method incorporating five steps: Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, Review.

Question 25

Psychometrics

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Basic research

Answer 26

Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base.

Question 27

Developmental psychology

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Educational psychology

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Personality psychology

Answer 29

The study of individuals’ characteristics patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting.

Question 30

Social psychology

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Applied research

Answer 31

Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems.

Question 32

Industrial-organizational (I/O) psychology

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Human factors psychology

Answer 33

A field of psychology allied with I/O psychology that explores how people and machines interact and how machines and physical environments can be made safe and easy to use.

Question 34

Counseling psychology

Answer 34

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 35

Clinical psychology

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Psychiatry

Answer 36

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