Module 1 Flashcards
(30 cards)
An evidence-based method that draws on observation and experimentation.
Empirical Approach
Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.
Critical Thinking
An early school of thought promoted by Wundt and Titchener; used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind.
Strcutrualism
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.
Functionalism
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). B.F. Skinner, a leading behaviorist, rejected introspection and studied how consequences shape behavior.
Behaviorism
A historically significant perspective that emphasized human growth potential.
Humanistic Psychology
Emphasized the ways our unconscious mind and childhood experiences affect our behavior, emphasized by Sigmund Freud.
Psychoanalytic Psychology
The study of mental processes, such as occurs when we perceive, learn, remember, think, communicate, and solve problems.
Cognitive Psychology
The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language).
Cognitive Neuroscience
The science of behavior and mental processes.
Definition of Psychology Today
The longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors.
Nature-Nurture Issue
The principle that inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will (in competition with other trait variations) most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.
Natural Selection
the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.
Evolutionary Psychology
the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.
Behavior Genetics
the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.
Culture
the scientific study of human flourishing, with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities to thrive.
Positive Psychology
the differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon.
Levels of Analysis
an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.
Biopsychosocial Approach
pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base.
Basic Research
a scientific study that aims to solve practical problems.
Applied Research
a branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often related to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being.
Counseling Psychology
a branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders.
Clinical Psychology
a branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who sometimes provide medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychological therapy.
Psychiatry
a branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups.
Community Psychology
