Unit 1 - Scientific Foundations of Psychology Flashcards
Critical Thinking
thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.
Empiricism
the idea that knowledge comes from experience, and that observation and experimentation enable scientific knowledge.
Structuralism
an early school of thought promoted by Wundt and Titchener; used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind.
Introspection
the process of looking inward in an attempt to directly observe one’s own psychological processes.
Functionalism
an 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.
Behaviorism
the view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2).
Humanistic Psychology
a historically significant perspective that emphasized human growth potential.
Cognitive Psychology
the study of mental processes, such as occur when we perceive, learn, remember, think, communicate, and solve problems.
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.
Evolutionary Psychology
the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.
Behavior Genetics
the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.
Positive Psychology
the scientific study of human flourishing, with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities to thrive.
Biopsychosocial Approach
an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural viewpoints.
Behavioral Psychology
the scientific study of observable behavior, and its explanation by principles of learning.
Biological Psychology
the scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes.
Psychodynamic Psychology
a branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior and uses that information to treat people with psychological disorders.
Social-cultural Psychology
the study of how situations and cultures affect our behavior and thinking.
Testing Effect
enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading, information. Also referred to as a retrieval practice effect or test-enhanced learning.
SQ3R
a study method incorporating five steps: Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, Review.
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
a branch of psychology that studies 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 individuals’ characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting.
Social Psychology
the scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another.
Applied Research
scientific study that aims to solve practical problems.
Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology
the application of psychological concepts and methods to optimizing human behavior in workplaces.
Human Factors Psychology
a field of psychology allied with I/O psychology that explores how people and machines interact and how machines and physical environments can be made safe and easy to use.
Counseling Psychology
a branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often related to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being.