Unit 1: Psychology's 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 that 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 of behavior and 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. Most research psychologists today agree with 1) but not with 2).

Question 6

Humanistic Psychology

Answer 6

A historical significant perspective that emphasized the growth potential of healthy people.

Question 7

Cognitive Neuroscience

Answer 7

The interdisciplinary study f 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 Issue

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 that traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of them.

Question 10

Natural Selection

Answer 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.

Question 11

Levels of Analysis

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Biopsychological Approach

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Behavioral Psychology

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Biological Psychology

Answer 14

The scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes.

Question 15

Cognitive Psychology

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Evolutionary Psychology

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Psychodynamic Psychology

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Social-Cultural Psychology

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Psychometrics

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Basic Research

Answer 20

Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base.

Question 21

Developmental Psychology

Answer 21

A branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span.

Question 22

Educational Psychology

Answer 22

The study of how psychological processes affect and can enhance teaching and learning.

Question 23

Personality Psychology

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Social Psychology

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Applied Research

Answer 25

Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems.

Question 26

Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Human Factors Psychology

Answer 27

An Industrial-Organizational psychology subfield that explores how people and machines interact and how machines and physical environments can be made safe and easy to use.

Question 28

Counseling Psychology

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Clinical Psychology

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Psychiatry

Answer 30

A branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who sometimes provide medical treatments as well as psychological therapy.

Question 31

Positive Psychology

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Community Psychology

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Testing Effect

Answer 33

Enhancing memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading, information. Also sometimes referred to as a retrieval practice effect or test-enhanced learning.

Question 34

SQ3R

Answer 34

A study method incorporating five steps: Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, and Review.

Question 35

Wilhelm Wundt 3

Question 36

G. Stanley Hall 3

Question 37

William James 4

Question 38

Mary Whiton Calkins 4

Question 39

Margaret Floy Washburn 5

Question 40

Sigmund Freud 5

Question 41

John B. Watson 6

Question 42

B.F. Skinner 6

Question 43

Carl Rogers 6

Question 44

Ivan Pavlov 9

Question 45

Jean Piaget 9

Question 46

Charles Darwin 10

Question 47

Dorothea Dix 14