Chapter 1 The Science of Psychology Flashcards
(26 cards)
Adaptations
In evolutionary theory, the physical characteristics, skills, and abilities that increase the chances of reproduction or survival, and are therefore more likely to be passed along to future generations.
Behaviorism (Watson, Skinner)
A psychological approach that emphasizes the role of environmental forces in producing behavior.
Cognitive Neuroscience
The study of neural mechanisms (brain, nerves, nervous tissue) that underlie thought, learning, and memory
Cognitive Psychology
The study of how people think, learn, and remember
Critical Thinking
Systematically evaluating information to reach reasonable conclusions
Culture
The beliefs, values, rules and customs that exist within a group of people who share a common language and environment and that are transmitted through learning from one generation to the next.
Evolutionary Theory
A theory presented by the naturalist Charles Darwin; it views the history of a species in terms of the inherited, adaptive value of physical characteristics, of the mental activity, and of behavior.
Functionalism (James)
An approach to psychology concerned with the adaptive purpose, or function, of mind and behavior; purpose of consciousness and behavior
Gestalt Theory
A theory based on the idea that the whole of personal experience is different from simply the sum of its constituent elements
Introspection
A systematic examination of subjective mental experiences that require people to inspect and report on the content of their thoughts
Mind/body problem
A fundamental psychological issue: Are mind and body separate and distinct, or is the mind simply the physical brain’s subjective experience?
Natural Selection
In evolutionary theory, the idea that those who inherit characteristics that help them adapt to their particular environments has a selective advantage over those who do not
nature/nurture debate
The arguments concerning whether psychological characteristics are biologically innate or acquired through education, experience and culture
Psychoanalysis
A method developed by Sigmund Freud that attempts to bring the contents of the unconscious to conscious awareness so that conflicts can be revealed
Psychological Science
The study of mind (mental activity=perceptions, thoughts, memories, feelings), brain (mental activity resulted from biological process within the brain), behavior (observable action)
Social Psychology
The study of how people are influenced by their interactions with others
Stream of Consciousness
A phrase coined by William James to describe each person’s continuous series of ever-changing thoughts
Structuralism (Tichener, Wundt)
An approach to psychology based on the idea that conscious experience can be broken down into its basic underlying components; first major school of thought; method of introspection
Unconscious
The mental processes that operate below the level of conscious awareness
Wilhelm Wundt
Founder of the first psychology lab
Human Genome Project
An attempt to map the basic human genetic code
The cognitive revolution focused research in psychology on things such as
thinking and decision making
If you believe that the mind is not made of discrete elements but rather is flowing, changing, and continuous, your beliefs are most similar to those of:
James
What is the best definition of the interdisciplinary approach to psychological science?
working on the same question across scientific fields
