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

Question 7

Cognitive neurosciences

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 Issue

Answer 9

The longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that Gene’s and experience make to the development of psychological 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, 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 (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes. (Some biological processes call themselves behavior geneticists, physiological psychologists, or biopsychologists.)

Question 15

Cognitive Psychology

Answer 15

The scientific study of all the mental activities, Associated with the 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.