Introduction to Psychology: Key Concepts and Approaches

Psychology

Scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Goals of Psychology

Measure, describe, explain, predict, control behavior.

William Wundt

First psychologist; founded structuralism in Germany.

Structuralism

Explores structural elements of the human mind.

William James

Introduced functionalism; focused on behavior's adaptive functions.

Functionalism

Studies how mental processes enable adaptation and survival.

John Watson

Behaviorist; emphasized observable behavior over mental processes.

B.F. Skinner

Behaviorist; studied consequences shaping behavior.

Sigmund Freud

Psychoanalyst; emphasized unconscious influences on behavior.

Neuro-biological Approach

Explains behavior via nervous system and chemicals.

Psychodynamic Approach

Behavior influenced by unconscious drives and conflicts.

Behaviorism

Focuses on observable behavior, excludes mental processes.

Cognitive Approach

Behavior determined by information processing in the brain.

Humanistic Approach

Emphasizes personal growth and individual potential.

Biopsychosocial Model

Integrates biological, psychological, and social factors.

Critical Thinking

Evaluates arguments, assumptions, and hidden values.

Hindsight Bias

Feeling of knowing an outcome beforehand.

Overconfidence

Overestimating one's ability to predict outcomes.

Scientific Method Steps

Identify question, pose hypothesis, conduct study.

Descriptive Methods

Observe and describe behavior without manipulation.

Correlational Method

Examines relationship between two variables.

Experimental Method

Manipulates variables to determine cause-effect relationships.

Random Assignment

Assigns participants randomly to minimize bias.

Control Group

Group not exposed to treatment for comparison.

Independent Variable (IV)

Manipulated factor in an experiment.

Dependent Variable (DV)

Outcome measured in response to IV changes.

Correlation Coefficient

Statistical index of relationship strength between variables.

Random Sample

Sample that fairly represents the population.

Operational Definition

Defines research variables through specific procedures.

Research Ethics

Guidelines ensuring ethical treatment of subjects.