Unit 1: History and Approaches Flashcards
A type of thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions, but instead examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden bias, evaluates evidence, and assess conclusions
Critical Thinking
The idea that knowledge comes from experience, and that observation and experimentation enable scientific knowledge
Empiricism
An early school of though promoted by Wundt and Titchener that used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind
Structuralism
Process of looking inward in an attempt to directly observe one’s own psychological processes for the modern study of perception
Introspection
School of psychology founded in the 20th century that provided the foundation
Gestalt Psychology
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
Functionalism
the view that psychology should be an objective science that studies the behavior without reference to mental processes. Most psychologists today agree with the first part but not the second.
Behaviorism
A historically significant perspective that emphasized human growth potential
Humanistic Psychology
The study of mental processes, such as occur when we perceive, learn, remember, think, communicate, and solve problems
Cognitive Psychology
The interdisciplinary study of the brain actively linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language)
Cognitive Neuroscience
The science of behavior and mental processes
Psychology
Controversial issue over 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
Nature-Nurture Issue
The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection
Evolutionary Psychology
The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior
Behavior Genetics
The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next
Culture
The scientific study of human flourishing, with goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities to thrive
Positive Psychology
An integrated approach that incorporates biological psychological and social-cultural viewpoint.
Biopsychosocial Approach
The scientific study of observable behavior, and its explanation by principles of learning
Behavioral Psychology
The scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes.
Biological Psychology
A branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior and uses that information to treat people with psychological disorders
Psychodynamic Psychology
The study of how situations and cultures affect our behavior and thinking
Social-Cultural Psychology
Enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading information. Also referred to as retrieval practice effect or test-enhanced learning.
Testing Effect
A study method incorporating fine steps: Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, Review
SQ3R
Scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes, and traits
Psychometrics
Pure science that aims to increases the scientific knowledge base
Basic Research
A branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span
Developmental Psychology
The study of how psychological processes affect and can enhance teaching and learning
Educational Psychology
The study of individuals’ characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting
Personality Psychology
The scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another
Social Psychology
Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems
Applied research
The application of psychological concepts and methods to optimizing human behavior in workplaces
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Explores how people and machines interact and how machines and physical environments can be made safe and easy to use
Human Factors Psychology
Branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often related to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being
Counseling Psychology
Branch of psychology that studies, assess, and treats people with psychological disorders
Clinical Psychology
Branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders, physicians, who are licensed to provide medical treatment as well as psychological therapy
Psychiatry
Branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups
Community Psychology
Scientists who investigate a variety of basic behavioral processes in humans and other animals
Experimental Psychology
