AP Psychology Unit I, Psychology’s History and Approaches

Empiricism

The view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should, therefore, rely on observation and experimentation.

Wilhelm Wundt

Established the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig, Germany.

Edward Bradford Titchener

Used introspection to search for the mind’s structural elements.

Structuralism

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

Functionalism

Early school of thought promoted by James and influenced by Darwin; explored how mental and behavioral processes function—how they enable the organism to adapt, survive, and flourish.

Experimental Psychology

The study of behavior and thinking using the experimental method.

Behaviorism

The view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to most mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2).

Humanistic Psychology

A historically significant perspective that emphasized the growth potential of healthy people.

Cognitive Neuroscience

The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language).

Psychology

The science of behavior and mental processes.

Natural Selection

The principle that, among the range of inherited traits variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.

Levels Of Analysis

The differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon.

Biopsychosocial Approach

An intergrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.

Behavioral Psychology

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

Biological Psychology

The scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes.

Cognitive Psychology

The scientific study of all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating.

Evolutionary Psychology

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

Psychodynamic Psychology

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

Social-Cultural Phycology

The study of how situations and cultures affect our behavior and thinking.

Psychometrics

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

Basic Research

Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base.

Developmental Psychology

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

Educational Psychology

The study of how psychological processes affect and can enhance teaching and learning.

Personality Psychology

The study of an individual’s characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting.

Social Psychology

The scientific study of how we think about, influenced and relate to one another.

Applied Research

Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems.

Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology

An I/O psychology subfield that explores how people and machines interact and how machine and physical environments can be made safe and easy to use.

Counseling Psychology

A branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living and achieving greater well-being.

Clinical Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders.

Psychiatry

A branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who sometimes provide medical treatments as well as psychological therapy.

Positive Psychology

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

Community Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups.

Sport Psychologist

Often work directly with athletes to help them improve their performance.

Class Counselor / School Psychologist

One who may have their master’s degree in psychology, may find themselves working with students individually or in groups, as well as in a consultative role for their schools’s administrators.

Health Psychologist

One who is a researcher and practitioner concerned with psychology’s contribution to promoting health and preventing disease.

Neuropsychologist

One who investigates the relationship between neurological processes and behavior.

Rehabilitation Psychologist

On who is a researcher who work with people who have lost optimal functioning after an accident, illness, or other event.

Counseling Psychologist

One who helps people adjust to life transitions or make lifestyle changes.

Nature-Nurture Issue

The long lasting controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors. Today’s screen sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of nature and nurture.

Testing Effect

Enhanced memory after retrieving rather than simply rereading, information.

SQ3R

Study method incorporates principles for its five steps: Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, Review.