psych intro

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Theories

Propose reasons for relationships among observed events, allowing for prediction.

Pure Research

Studies conducted without concern for immediate application.

Applied Research

Designed to find solutions to specific personal or social problems.

Practicing Psychology

Applying psychological knowledge to help individuals change their behavior.

Teaching

Sharing psychological knowledge in classrooms, seminars, and workshops.

Clinical Psychologist

Helps people with psychological disorders adjust to life demands.

Counseling Psychologists

Assist clients with adjustment problems, not serious psychological disorders.

School Psychologists

Employed by schools to assist students with learning-related problems.

Educational Psychologists

Focus on course planning and instructional methods to facilitate learning.

Developmental Psychologists

Study changes throughout the life span (physical, cognitive, social, personality).

Personality Psychologists

Identify and measure human traits and explain psychological disorders.

Social Psychologists

Concerned with individual thoughts, feelings, and behavior in social situations.

Environmental Psychologists

Study the interaction between people and their environment.

Experimental Psychologists

Conduct experiments on basic processes like learning and memory.

Industrial Psychologists

Focus on the relationship between people and work.

Organizational Psychologists

Study the relationship between people and organizations.

Human Factors Psychologists

Create user-friendly technical systems.

Consumer Psychologists

Study shopper behavior to predict and influence it.

Health Psychologists

Examine the relationship between behavior, mental processes, and health.

Forensic Psychologists

Apply psychology principles to the criminal justice system.

Sport Psychologists

Help individuals improve performance in sports.

Aristotle

Argued that human behavior is subject to rules and laws.

Democritus

Suggested behavior can be understood through the interaction of body and mind.

Socrates

Advocated for rational thought and introspection for self-knowledge.

Gustav Fechner

Published "Elements of Psychophysics," linking physical events to psychological sensations.

Wilhelm Wundt

Founded structuralism, studying the mind scientifically.

William James

Founder of functionalism, focusing on behavior and consciousness.

John Broadus Watson

Founder of American behaviorism, emphasizing observable behavior.

B.F Skinner

Believed behavior is learned through reinforcement.

Gestalt Psychology

Focuses on perception and how it influences thinking.

Sigmund Freud

Founded psychoanalysis, emphasizing unconscious influences on behavior.

Biological Perspective

Studies the relationship between biology and behavior.

Cognitive Perspective

Investigates mental processes like memory and decision-making.

Humanistic-Existential Perspective

Stresses self-fulfillment and personal choice.

Psychodynamic Perspective

Focuses on conscious choice and self-direction.

Sociocultural Perspective

Studies the influence of culture, ethnicity, and gender on behavior.

Critical Thinking

Analyzing and questioning information rather than accepting it at face value.

Scientific Method

An organized way of testing ideas to expand knowledge.

Hypothesis

A specific statement about behavior or mental processes tested through research.

Correlation

Examines the relationship between two observed behaviors or traits.

Experimental Method

Preferred method for determining cause and effect in psychology.

Ethics of Research with Humans

Guidelines to promote dignity and welfare in research.

Informed Consent

Participants must agree to participate in research after being informed.

Ethics of Research with Animals

Guidelines for conducting research that may harm animals.