Unit 1- History & Approaches Flashcards
Structuralism
An early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the structural elements of the human mind.
Empiricism
The view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should, therefore, rely on observation and experimentation.
Functionalism
A school of psychology that focused on how our mental and behavioral processes function- how they enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish.
Experimental Psychology
The study of behavior and thinking using the experimental method.
Behaviorism
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).
Humanistic psychology
Historically significant perspective that emphasized the growth potential of healthy people and the individual’s potential for personal growth.
Cognitive Neuroscience
The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language).
Psychology
The science of behavior and mental processes.
Nature-Nurture Issue
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.
Natural Selection
The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.
Levels of Analysis
The differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon.
Biopsychosocial Approach
An integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.
Biological Psychology
A branch of psychology that studies the links between biological (including neuroscience and behavior genetics) and psychological processes.
Evolutionary Psychology
The study of the roots of behavior and mental processes using the principles of natural selection.
Psychodynamic Psychology
A branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior, and used that information to treat people with psychological disorders.
Behavioral Psychology
The scientific study of observable behavior, and it’s explanation by principles of learning.
Cognitive Psychology
The scientific study of all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating.
Social-Cultural Psychology
The study of how situations and cultures affect our behavior and thinking.
Psychometrics
The scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes, and traits.
Basic Research
Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base.
Developmental Psychology
The scientific study of physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span.
Educational Psychology
The study of how psychological processes affect and can enhance teaching and learning.
Personality Psychology
The study of an individual’s characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting.
Social Psychology
The scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another.
