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

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

Question 3

functionalism

Answer 3

a school of psychology that focused on how our mental and behavioral processes function - how they enable us 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 (2)

Question 6

humanistic psychology

Answer 6

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

Question 7

cognitive neuroscience

Answer 7

the interdisciplinary study of 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 traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of nature and nurture

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

biopsychosocial approach

Answer 12

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

Question 13

biological psychology

Answer 13

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

Question 14

evolutionary psychology

Answer 14

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

Question 15

psychodynamic psychology

Answer 15

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

Question 16

behavioral psychology

Answer 16

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

Question 17

cognitive psychology

Answer 17

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

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

the scientific study of 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 and workplaces

Question 27

human factors psychology

Answer 27

the study of how people and machines interact and the design of safe and easily used machines and environments

Question 28

counseling psychology

Answer 28

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 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 often provide medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychological therapy