Modules 2-3

Psychology

Study of behavior and mental processes.

Cognitive Neuroscience

Interdisciplinary study of brain activity linked with cognition.

Nature-Nurture Issue

Controversy over relative contributions of genes and experience on development of psychological traits and behaviors.

Natural Selection

Principle that traits variations that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.

Biopsychosocial Approach

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

Biological Psychology

Branch of psychology concerned with links between biology and behavior.

Evolutionary Psychology

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

Psychodynamic Psychology

Branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior.

Behavioral Psychology

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

Cognitive Psychology

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

Social-Cultural Psychology

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

Behavior Genetics

the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

Culture

the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next

Positive Psychology

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

Testing Effect

enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading, information

SQ3R

a study method incorporating five steps: Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, Review

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

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, influence, and relate to one another.

Applied Research

Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems.

Counseling Psychology

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

Clinical Psychology

Branch of psychology concerned with diagnosis and treatment of psychological problems and disorders.

Psychiatry

The branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.

Educational Psychology

the study of how psychological processes affect and can enhance teaching and learning

Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology

the application of psychological concepts and methods to optimizing human behavior in work places.

Human Factors Psychology

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

Community Psychology

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