PSYC 1000 — Foundations & Subfields (Vocabulary Flashcards)

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, figures, concepts, and subfields from the lecture notes on psychology.

Psychology

The science that studies behavior and mental processes through empirical, systematic methods.

Scientific method

Empirical, systematic process used to identify problems, form hypotheses, design studies, collect/analyze data, draw conclusions, and communicate findings.

Empirical

Based on observation or experimentation rather than theory alone.

Structuralism

Early school of psychology focusing on the mind's structure studied through introspection.

Introspection

Process of examining one's own conscious experiences to break them into components.

Functionalism

School that emphasizes how mental processes help organisms adapt to their environment.

Psychoanalytic Theory

Freud's perspective highlighting the role of the unconscious mind and early experiences in shaping behavior.

Unconscious mind

Mental processes outside conscious awareness that influence thoughts and behavior.

Dream analysis

Freud's method of exploring the unconscious through dreams.

Gestalt psychology

Theory that perception and experience are organized wholes, not just sums of parts.

Behaviorism

Approach that prioritizes observable behavior and rejects study of mental states as unobservable.

Classical conditioning

Learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a reflex response (Pavlovian conditioning).

Operant conditioning

Learning through consequences; behavior is shaped by reinforcement or punishment (Skinner).

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's theory that basic needs must be satisfied before higher-level needs motivate behavior.

Basic needs

Foundational requirements (e.g., food, shelter) in Maslow's hierarchy.

Higher-level needs

Motivators such as belonging and esteem in Maslow's hierarchy.

Unconditional positive regard

Rogers' principle of accepting others without judgment to foster growth.

Genuineness

Sincerity in therapists' and clients' interactions in client-centered therapy.

Empathy

Ability to understand and share the feelings of another in client-centered therapy.

Abraham Maslow

Humanistic psychologist who proposed the hierarchy of needs.

Carl Rogers

Humanistic psychologist known for client-centered therapy.

Five Factor Model

Widely used personality model describing five dimensions of personality.

Openness

One dimension of the Five Factor Model; imagination, curiosity, and creativity.

Conscientiousness

One dimension of the Five Factor Model; organization, dependability, goal orientation.

Extraversion

One dimension of the Five Factor Model; sociability and assertiveness.

Agreeableness

One dimension of the Five Factor Model; cooperativeness and trust.

Neuroticism

One dimension of the Five Factor Model; emotional instability and tendency toward negative emotions.

Jean Piaget

Developmental psychologist known for theories of cognitive development from infancy to adulthood.

Noam Chomsky

Linguist whose work helped spark the cognitive revolution by emphasizing mental functioning.

WEIRD

Acronym for Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic populations; term noting limited generalizability of some findings.

Margaret Floy Washburn

First woman to earn a PhD in psychology; notable work on animal behavior.

Biopsychology

Study of how the structure and function of the nervous system generate behavior.

Sensation

Process of detecting sensory information (sights, sounds, touch, smell).

Perception

Experience of the world influenced by attention, prior experience, and culture.

Developmental psychology

Study of physical and mental changes across the lifespan, including moral reasoning and cognitive/social skills.

Moral reasoning

Developmental and cognitive processes related to judgments about right and wrong.

Cognitive skills

Mental abilities involved in thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving.

Social psychology

Study of how people influence and relate to others (prejudice, attraction, obedience).

Health psychology

Branch focusing on how biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors affect health and illness (biopsychosocial model).

Biopsychosocial model

Health is determined by interactions among biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.

Clinical psychology

Branch focused on diagnosing and treating psychological disorders; includes cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

Therapy combining cognitive and behavioral techniques to change maladaptive thoughts and behaviors.

Industrial/Organizational psychology

Application of psychology to workplace: personnel management, structure, and environment.

Sports & Exercise psychology

Study of motivation, performance anxiety, and well-being in sports and physical activity.

Forensic psychology

Application of psychology to legal issues, including competency, eyewitness testimony, and sentencing.

PhD or Masters degree

Advanced degrees often required for careers in psychology.