Psycholoical Foundations Vocab

American Psychological Association

Professional organization representing psychologists in the United States

Behaviorism

The psychological focus on observing and controlling behavior. Behaviorism as a theory holds that behaviors are learned or conditioned through environmental experiences

Biological Perspective

A psychological approach that examines physiological causes for behavior

Biopsychology

Study of how biology influences behvaior

Biopsychosocial model

Perspective that asserts that biology, psychology, and social factors interact to determine an individuals health

Clinical Psychology

Area of psychology that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and other problematic patterns of behavior

Cognitive Psychology

Area of psychology that focuses on studying thoughts and their relationship to our experiences and actions

Cognitive Revolution

A period of change in psychology during the 1950s and 1960s, characterized by a shift back to studying mental processes and the emergence of cognitive psychology as a prominent perspective

Counseling Psychology

Discipline that focuses on emotional, social, vocational, and health-related outcomes in individuals who considered psychologically healthy

Cross Cultural Psychologists

Compare populations across countries

Developmental psychology

The scientific study of development across a lifespan

Dissertation

Long research paper about research that was conducted as a part of the candidate’s doctoral training

Eclectic approach

An approach in psychology where psychologists draw from multiple ideas and theories, integrating different perspectives to understand and study human behavior

Empirical Method

Method for acquiring knowledge based on observation, including experimentation, rather than a method based only on forms of logical argument or previous authorities

Evolutionary perspective

A psychological approach that posits behaviors have an evolutionary cause and grew from functionalist views

Evolutionary psychology

Seeks to understand human behavior as the result of psychological adaptation and natural selection

Forensic Psychology

Area of psychology that applies the science and practice of psychology to issues within and related to the justice system.

Functionalism

Focused on how mental activities helped an organism adapt to its environment

Health psychology

The study of how psychological factors, including thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and social interactions, influence health and well-being

Humanism

Perspective within psychology that emphasizes the potential for good that is innate to all humans

Humanistic perspective

A psychological approach that emphasizes the potential for good in all humans and rejects a focus on problems and disorders. Emerged in the 1950s, with influential figures such as Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers

Multicultural psychologists

Develop theories and conduct research with diverse populations, typically within one

country

Natural Selection

a process by which heritable traits conferring survival and reproductive advantage to

individuals tend to be passed on to succeeding generations and become more frequent

in a population

Ology

“the scientific study of”

Personality psychology

Study of patterns of thoughts and behaviors that make each individual unique

Personality trait

Consistent pattern of thought and behavior

PhD

Doctoral degree conferred in many disciplinary perspectives housed in a traditional college of liberal arts and sciences

Postdoctoral training program

Allows young scientists to further develop their research programs and broaden their research skills under the supervision of other professionals in the field

psyche

Greek word for soul

Psychiatrist

A person with a medical degree who specializes in treating mental health issues and diagnosable disorders, they can prescribe medications

Psychoanalysis

A type of talk therapy originally developed by Freud but still practiced today that focuses on the interaction between conscious and unconscious elements and involves a person talking about their past experiences to uncover and understand the reasons for behavior

Psychoanalytic theory

Focus on the role of the unconscious in affecting conscious behavior

Psychodynamic perspective

A psychological approach that focuses on the role of the unconscious and childhood experiences in shaping conscious behavior. Originated in late 19th to early 20th century by Sigmund Freud and Erik Erikson

Psychological domain

Specific areas of study within the broader discipline of psychology. Each domain examines a different aspect of human experience and behavior.

Psychological perspective

Theoretical frameworks psychologists use to understand, describe, and explain human behavior and cognitive processes. Each perspective emphasizes different aspects of human behavior and uses different techniques and methods for treatment and study

Psychology

The scientific study of mental processes and behavior

PsyD

Doctoral degree that places less emphasis on research-oriented skills and focuses more on application of psychological principles in the clinical context

Social Psychology

The scientific study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others

Sociocultural Perspective

A psychological approach that emphasizes the influence of the environment on thoughts and behaviors

Sport and Exercise Psychology

Area of psychology that focuses on the interactions between mental and emotional factors and physical performance in sports, exercise, and other activities

Structuralism

Understanding the conscious experience through introspection