Unit 1: Psychology's History and Approaches

Question 1

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

Answer 1

empiricism

Question 2

an early school of psychology that uses introspection to explore the structural elements of the human mind

Answer 2

structuralism

Question 3

a school of psychology that focuses on how our mental and behavioral processes function - how they enable us to adept, survive and flourish

Answer 3

functionalism

Question 4

the study of behavior and thinking using the experimental method

Answer 4

experimental psychology

Question 5

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)

Answer 5

behaviorism

Question 6

historically significant perspective that emphasized the growth potential of healthy people and the individual’s potential for personal growth

Answer 6

humanistic psychology

Question 7

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

Answer 7

cognitive neuroscience

Question 8

the science of behavior and mental processes

Answer 8

psychology

Question 9

the long-standing 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

Answer 9

Nature-Nurture Issue

Question 10

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

Answer 10

Natural Selection

Question 11

the differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon

Answer 11

Levels of analysis

Question 12

an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological and social-cultural levels of analysis

Answer 12

biopsychosocial approach

Question 13

a branch of psychology that studies the links between biological (including neuroscience and behavior genetics) and psychological processes

Answer 13

biological psychology

Question 14

the study of the roots of behavior and mental processes using the principles of natural selection

Answer 14

evolutionary psychology

Question 15

a branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behaviors and uses that information to treat people with psychological disorders

Answer 15

psychodynamic psychology

Question 16

the scientific study of observable behavior and its explanation by principles of learning

Answer 16

behavioral psychology

Question 17

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

Answer 17

cognitive psychology

Question 18

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

Answer 18

social-cultural psychology

Question 19

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

Answer 19

psychometrics

Question 20

pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base

Answer 20

basic research

Question 21

the scientific study of physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span

Answer 21

developmental psychology

Question 22

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

Answer 22

educational psychology

Question 23

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

Answer 23

personality psychology

Question 24

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

Answer 24

social psychology

Question 25

the scientific study that aims to solve practical problems

Answer 25

applied research

Question 26

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

Answer 26

Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology

Question 27

the study of how people and machines interact resulting in the design of machines and environments

Answer 27

human factors psychology

Question 28

a branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often related to school, work, and marriage) and achieve greater well- being

Answer 28

counseling psychology

Question 29

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

Answer 29

clinical psychology

Question 30

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

Answer 30

psychiatry

Question 31

a study method incorporating five steps: Survey, Question, Read, Rehearse, Review

Answer 31

SQ3R