Unit 1 - History and Approaches

Question 1

empiricism

Answer 1

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

Question 2

structuralism

Answer 2

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

Question 3

functionalism

Answer 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

Question 4

experimental psychology

Answer 4

the study and behavior of thinking using the experimental method

Question 5

behaviorism

Answer 5

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

Question 6

humanistic psychology

Answer 6

a historically significant perspective that emphasized the growth potential of healthy people

Question 7

cognitive neuroscience

Answer 7

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

Question 8

psychology

Answer 8

the science of behavior and mental processes

Question 9

nature-nurture debate

Answer 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.

Question 10

Behavioral psychology

Answer 10

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

Question 11

biological psychology

Answer 11

The scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes (behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavior geneticists, physiological psychologists, biopsychologists)

Question 12

cognitive psychology

Answer 12

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

Question 13

evolutionary psychology

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Psychodynamic psychology

Answer 14

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

Question 15

social-cultural psychology

Answer 15

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

Question 16

psychometrics

Answer 16

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

Question 17

basic research

Answer 17

pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base

Question 18

developmental psychology

Answer 18

a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the lifespan

Question 19

educational psychology

Answer 19

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

Question 20

personality psychology

Answer 20

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

Question 21

social psychology

Answer 21

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

Question 22

applied research

Answer 22

scientific study that aims to solve practical problems

Question 23

industrial-organizational (I/O) psychology

Answer 23

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

Question 24

human factors psychology

Answer 24

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

Question 25

counseling psychology

Answer 25

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 26

clinical psychology

Answer 26

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

Question 27

psychiatry

Answer 27

a branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who sometimes provide medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychological therapy

Question 28

positive psychology

Answer 28

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

Question 29

community psychology

Answer 29

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

Question 30

testing effect

Answer 30

repeated self-testing and rehearsal of previously studied material is the best way to cement new learning

Question 31

Wilhelm Wundt

Answer 31

established the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig, Germany; structuralism

Question 32

Sigmund Freud

Answer 32

established Freudian psychology - emphasized the ways our unconscious thought processes and our emotional responses to childhood experiences affect our behavior

Question 33

John Watson

Answer 33

dismissed introspection & redefined psychology as “the scientific study of observable behavior”; science is rooted in observation; behavior is influenced by conditioning

Question 34

BF Skinner

Answer 34

a leading behaviorist; rejected introspection and studied how consequences shape behavior

Question 35

Carl Rogers

Answer 35

humanist; found behaviorism & psychoanalytic schools too limiting; striving to be our best

Question 36

Ivan Pavlov

Answer 36

dog food & bell & salivation experiment - conditioning

Question 37

Jean Piaget

Answer 37

developmental psychologist; studied children intelligence & how they think differently

Question 38

Charles Darwin

Answer 38

evolution dude