Early Approaches to Psychology – Key Vocabulary

These vocabulary flashcards cover the primary schools of thought, key figures, and core concepts introduced in the lecture on early approaches to psychology.

Structuralism

Early school of psychology that aimed to break mental processes into their most basic components using introspection.

Introspection

Method of self-reporting conscious experiences, used by structuralists to analyze sensations, feelings, and perceptions.

Wilhelm Wundt

Founder of structuralism; established the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany, in 1879.

Functionalism

Approach that studied the purpose of mental processes and how they help individuals adapt to their environments.

William James

Key figure in functionalism; author of "Principles of Psychology" (1890).

Gestalt Psychology

School emphasizing that perceptual experience is holistic—"the whole is greater than the sum of its parts."

Max Wertheimer

Co-founder of Gestalt psychology, known for work on perception and the phi phenomenon.

Insight Learning

Sudden realization of a solution to a problem, highlighted by Köhler’s chimpanzee experiments within Gestalt psychology.

Psychoanalysis

Freud’s theory focusing on the unconscious mind, childhood experiences, and repressed desires.

Id

The instinctual, pleasure-seeking part of personality in Freud’s model.

Ego

The rational part of personality that mediates between the id, superego, and reality.

Superego

The moral conscience of personality, representing internalized societal standards.

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious strategies used by the ego to reduce anxiety (e.g., repression, denial).

Behaviorism

Perspective that psychology should study only observable behavior and its environmental determinants.

Classical Conditioning

Learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response, demonstrated by Pavlov’s dogs.

Operant Conditioning

Learning in which behavior is strengthened or weakened by consequences such as reinforcement or punishment, advanced by Skinner.

Humanistic Psychology

Approach emphasizing human potential, personal growth, and freedom of choice.

Self-Actualization

Maslow’s concept of realizing one’s fullest potential and personal growth.

Carl Rogers

Humanistic psychologist who developed client-centered therapy and emphasized unconditional positive regard.

Abraham Maslow

Humanistic psychologist known for the hierarchy of needs culminating in self-actualization.