Unit 1

Question 1

critical thinking

Answer 1

thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions, it examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions

Question 2

empiricism

Answer 2

the idea that knowledge comes from experiences, and that observation and experimentation enable scientific knowledge

Question 3

structuralism

Answer 3

an early school of thought promoted by Wundt and Titchener; used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind

Question 4

introspection

Answer 4

the process of looking inward in an attempt to directly observe one’s own psychological processes

Question 5

functionalism

Answer 5

an early school of thought promoted by William James and influenced by Darwin; explored how mental and behavioral processes function- how they enable the organism to adapt, survive, and flourish

Question 6

behaviorism

Answer 6

the view that psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior without reference to mental processes

Question 7

humanistic psychology

Answer 7

a historically significant perspective that emphasized human growth potential

Question 8

cognitive psychology

Answer 8

the study of mental processes, such as occur when we perceive, learn, remember, think, communicate, and solve problems

Question 9

cognitive neuroscience

Answer 9

the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linking with cognition

Question 10

psychology

Answer 10

the science of behavior and mental processes

Question 11

nature-nuture issue

Answer 11

the longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors

Question 12

natural selection

Answer 12

the principle that inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will likely be passed on to succeeding generations

Question 13

evolutionary psychology

Answer 13

the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection

Question 14

behavior genetics

Answer 14

the study of the relative power and limits of generic and environmental influences on behavior

Question 15

culture

Answer 15

the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next

Question 16

positive psychology

Answer 16

the scientific study of human flourishing, with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities to thrive

Question 17

biopsychosocial approach

Answer 17

an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural viewpoints

Question 18

behavioral psychology

Answer 18

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

Question 19

biological psychology

Answer 19

the scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes

Question 20

psychodynamic psychology

Answer 20

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

Question 21

social-cultural psychology

Answer 21

the study of how situations and cultures affect our behavior and thinking

Question 22

testing effect

Answer 22

enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading information

Question 23

SQ3R

Answer 23

a study method incorporating five steps: Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, Review

Question 24

psychometrics

Answer 24

the scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes, and traits

Question 25

basic research

Answer 25

pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base

Question 26

developmental psychology

Answer 26

a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span