Introduction to Psychology - Key Terminology

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key historical perspectives, major theoretical frameworks, influential psychologists, and core subfields from Introductory Psychology.

Psychology

The scientific study of mind and behavior.

Structuralism

A psychological perspective created by Wilhelm Wundt focused on understanding the structure and characteristics of the mind through introspection.

Introspection

The process by which someone examines their own conscious experience in an attempt to break it into its component parts.

Functionalism

A psychological perspective established by William James emphasizing how mental activities contributed to basic environmental survival.

Psychoanalytic Theory

A perspective founded by Sigmund Freud focusing on the role of the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences in affecting conscious behavior.

Gestalt Psychology

A psychological perspective based on the idea that although sensory experiences can be broken down into individual parts, how those parts relate as a whole dictates perception.

Behaviorism

An approach in psychology that rejects studying the mind directly and instead focuses strictly on observing and controlling behavior.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process discovered by Ivan Pavlov where a reflex response to an original stimulus becomes associated with a different stimulus over time.

Operant Conditioning

A method of modifying behavior through reinforcement and punishment, studied extensively by B. F. Skinner.

Humanism

A perspective within psychology emphasizing the potential for good that is innate to all humans, championed by Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers.

Hierarchy of Needs

A motivational framework proposed by Abraham Maslow asserting that basic survival needs must be satisfied before higher-level needs motivate behavior.

Client-Centered Therapy

A therapy approach developed by Carl Rogers where the patient takes a lead role, requiring the therapist to demonstrate unconditional positive regard, genuineness, and empathy.

Cognitive Revolution

A mid-20th-century movement in psychology, influenced by Noam Chomsky, that brought the mind and mental processes back as the central focus of scientific inquiry.

Margaret Floy Washburn

The first woman to earn a doctorate degree in psychology, known for her authoritative research on animal behavior.

Biopsychology

The field of psychology that studies how the structure and function of the nervous system generate behavior.

Sensation

The raw sensory input received through sights, sounds, touch, and smell.

Perception

The psychological experience of sensory information, influenced by attention focus, prior experiences, and cultural background.

Developmental Psychology

The study of physical and mental attributes of aging and maturation, including moral reasoning, cognitive skills, and social skills across the lifespan.

Five Factor Model

A personality trait framework capturing individual differences across five main dimensions: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.

Social Psychology

The scientific study of how individuals interact and relate with others, and how social interactions affect behaviors such as prejudice, attraction, and obedience.

Health Psychology

A branch of psychology focusing on how individual health is directly related to or affected by biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.

Biopsychosocial Model

An integrative approach suggesting that health and illness are determined by the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Clinical Psychology

The area of psychology focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and problematic patterns of behavior.

Industrial-Organizational Psychology

A branch of psychology that applies psychological theories and research to workplace environments, personnel management, and organizational structure.

Sports and Exercise Psychology

The study of psychological factors associated with sports and physical performance, such as motivation, mental well-being, and performance anxiety.

Forensic Psychology

A branch of psychology dealing with questions arising in the justice system, including competency evaluations, sentencing recommendations, and eyewitness reliability.

APA Format

A standard formatting style established by the American Psychological Association, consisting of a Title Page, Abstract, Main Body, and References.