Foundations of Psychology Review

This set of flashcards summarizes key concepts from a psychology lecture covering foundational theories, research methods, memory, learning theories, and psychological disorders.

Structuralism

School of thought focused on breaking consciousness down into basic components through introspection.

Functionalism

Examines the purpose of consciousness and how mental processes help individuals adapt.

Behaviorism

The theory that environment shapes behavior, emphasizing observable behavior and denying free will.

Psychoanalytic Theory

Freud's theory focusing on unconscious processes, childhood experiences, and internal conflicts.

Humanism

Emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization, stressing free will.

Cognitive Psychology

Studies mental processes such as memory, thinking, and problem solving.

Empiricism

The theory that knowledge comes from systematic observation and scientific testing.

Scientific Method

A systematic objective framework for psychological research based on empirical evidence.

Hypothesis

An educated testable guess or prediction about the relationship between variables.

Independent Variable

The manipulated variable that causes changes in an experiment.

Dependent Variable

The measured variable that shows the effect of manipulating the independent variable.

Operational Definitions

Precise statements about how variables are measured.

Classical Conditioning

Learning by association, where a neutral stimulus elicits a response.

Operant Conditioning

Learning where behavior is shaped by consequences, such as reinforcement and punishment.

Generalization

The spread of a conditioned response to similar stimuli.

Extinction

The weakening of a learned association when reinforcement is no longer provided.

Observational Learning

Learning that occurs through observing others, exemplified by Bandura's Bobo doll study.

Memory

The process involved in encoding, storing, and retrieving information.

Amnesia

Loss of memory, categorized as retrograde (loss of past memories) or anterograde (inability to form new memories).

Drive Theory

A theory suggesting that internal physiological needs drive behavior to restore homeostasis.

Cognitive Dissonance

Psychological discomfort from holding conflicting beliefs or attitudes.

Attribution

The process of explaining the causes of behavior and events.

Conformity

The tendency to align beliefs and behaviors with group norms.

Milgram's Experiment

Study on obedience showing the extent to which people follow authority figures.

Stress

A response to demands that exceed an individual's adaptive capacity.

Suicidal Ideation

Serious thoughts about suicide.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

A collection of physical and cognitive deficits caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Attachment Theory

Emotional bonds between infants and caregivers, studied through various attachment types.