Ch1. Psych Lecture 1 flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the introductory concepts, historical approaches, subfields, and goals of psychology from Lecture #1.

Psychology

The scientific study of behaviour and mental processes, as well as a profession that applies the findings of psychological research to real world problems.

Four Goals of Psychology

Description (tells "what" occurred), Explanation (tells "why" a behaviour or mental process occurred), Prediction (identifies conditions under which a future behaviour or mental process is likely to occur), and Change (applies psychological knowledge to prevent unwanted behaviour or to bring about desired goals).

Critical Thinking

An approach grounded in the scientific attitude (curiosity + skepticism + humility) that does not automatically accept arguments and conclusions, but examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

Wilhelm Wundt

Considered the "father of psychology"; established the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany, in 1879, focused on consciousness, and added carefully measured observations and experiments to make psychology a science.

Structuralism

An early psychological approach that sought to identify the basic components, or structures, of conscious experience (such as sensation and perception) via introspection (systematic self-observation).

Introspection

Systematic self-observation used in structuralism to examine experiences like vision and hearing.

Functionalism

An early psychological approach championed by William James that studied the function or purpose of consciousness and the interaction between the mind and the environment.

William James

Considered the "father of American psychology" and a key proponent of functionalism.

Behavioural Approach

A psychological approach associated with Watson and Skinner that studies objective, observable environmental influences on overt behaviour, maintaining that consciousness cannot be directly observed.

Psychoanalytical Approach

An approach developed by Sigmund Freud emphasizing the importance of the unconscious mind and unlearned biological instincts (especially sexual and aggressive impulses) on human behaviour.

Humanistic Approach

An optimistic view of human behaviour associated with Maslow and Rogers that focuses on free will, self-actualization, and a positive, growth-seeking human nature.

Cognitive Approach

An approach focused on cognition (mental processes involved in accumulating knowledge), thought, perception, and information processing.

Cognitive Neuroscience Approach

A subfield within the cognitive approach that studies the brain activity underlying mental activity.

Biological Approach

An approach proposing that an organism's behaviour can be explained by genetics and biological processes in the brain and nervous system.

Evolutionary Approach

An approach emphasizing natural selection, adaptation, and evolution to explain why certain behaviours are formed, modified, and survive over time.

Behaviour Genetics

The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behaviour.

Social-Cultural Approach

An approach recognizing social interaction, context, and cultural determinants (shared ideas and behaviours passed to the next generation) of mental processes and behaviour.

Biopsychosocial Approach

An integrated approach that considers biological influences, psychological influences, and social-cultural influences to explain behaviour or mental processes.

Applied Research

Research conducted to apply psychological principles to practical problems.

Basic Research

Research conducted to discover the basic principles of human behaviour.

Clinical Psychologist

A professional trained in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological problems and disorders who cannot prescribe drugs.

Psychiatrist

A medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological problems who can prescribe drugs.

Counselling Psychologist

A psychologist focused on the treatment of milder problems, such as academic, vocational, and marital adjustment issues.

Developmental Psychologist

A psychologist who studies changing abilities from womb to tomb.

Industrial/Organizational Psychologist

A psychologist who studies and advises on behaviour in the workplace.

Community Psychologist

A psychologist who studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups.