Unit 1 Flashcards
psychology
the scientific study of behavior and mental processes
behavior
the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially toward others
cognitive activity
private, unobservable mental processes such as sensation, perception, thought, and problem solving
theory
a set of assumptions about why something is the way it is and happens the way it does
basic research
research that is conducted for its own sake, that is, without seeking a solution to a specific problem
introspection
an examination of one’s own thoughts and feelings
structuralism
the school of psychology, founded by Wihelm Wundt, that maintains that conscious experience breaks down into objective sensations and subjective feelings
functionalism
the school of psychology, founded by William James, that emphasizes the purpose of behavior and mental process
behaviorism
the school of psychology, founded by John Watson, that defines psychology as the scientific study of observable behavior
Gestalt psychology
the school of psychology that emphasizes the tendency to organize perceptions into meaningful wholes
Psychoanalysis
the school of psychology, founded by Sigmund Freud, that emphasizes the importance of unconscious motives and conflicts as determinants of human behavior
Biological Perspective
the psychological perspective that emphasizes the influence of biology on behavior
psychoanalytic perspective
the perspective that stresses the influence of unconscious forces on human behavior
learning perspective
the psychological point of view that emphasizes the effects of experience on behavior
social learning theory
the theory that suggests that people have the ability to change their environments or to create new ones
