Psychology 1101 Exam 1 Study Guide (Ch. 1-3)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Chapters 1–3 of Psychology 1101.

Psychology

The science of behavior and mental processes, using empirical methods to describe, predict, understand, and explain how people think, feel, and act.

Primary goals of psychology

Describe, predict, understand, and sometimes control or influence behavior and mental processes.

Structuralism

Early school focusing on the elements of consciousness through introspection.

Functionalism

School emphasizing the functions of the mind and how mental processes help adapt to the environment.

Behaviorism

School that studies observable behavior and environmental determinants, often ignoring mental states.

Psychoanalytic theory

Theory by Freud stressing unconscious drives, conflicts, and early experiences shaping behavior.

Cognitive psychology

Study of mental processes such as memory, perception, problem-solving, and thinking.

Humanistic psychology

Movement emphasizing personal growth, self-actualization, and the inherent good of people.

Gestalt psychology

Approach focusing on perception and experience as organized wholes rather than just parts.

Sigmund Freud

Founder of psychoanalysis; emphasized the unconscious and psychosexual development.

B.F. Skinner

Behaviorist known for operant conditioning and environmental reinforcement.

John Locke

Philosopher whose empiricist ideas influenced psychology’s emphasis on experience.

William James

Proponent of functionalism; author of Principles of Psychology; ideas influenced modern psychology.

Abraham Maslow

Humanistic psychologist famous for hierarchy of needs.

Carl Rogers

Humanistic psychologist who developed client-centered therapy.

Cognitive Revolution

Shift from behaviorism to study of internal mental processes and information processing.

Biopsychosocial model

Framework linking biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors in health and behavior.

Empirical evidence

Knowledge gained through observation, measurement, and experiment.

Deductive reasoning

Reasoning from general principles to specific predictions.

Inductive reasoning

Reasoning from specific observations to general conclusions.

Hypothesis

Testable prediction about a phenomenon that can be empirically tested.

Falsifiability

Quality of a hypothesis being testable and potentially disprovable.

Correlation

A statistical relationship between two variables that does not prove causation.

Causation

A cause-and-effect relationship established through controlled investigation.

Experimental research

Research manipulating an independent variable to observe effects on a dependent variable.

Independent variable

Variable deliberately changed or manipulated by the researcher.

Dependent variable

Variable measured to assess the effect of the manipulation.

Control group

Group not exposed to the experimental manipulation, used for comparison.

Correlational studies (positive/negative)

Studies examining relationships between variables without manipulation; describe strength and direction of relationships.

Longitudinal research

Study design following the same participants over an extended period.

Cross-sectional research

Study design comparing different participants at one point in time.

Case studies

In-depth examination of a single person, group, or event.

Naturalistic observation

Studying behavior in real-world settings without interference.

Surveys

Questionnaires or interviews used to collect data from large samples.

Archival research

Analyzing existing records or datasets to answer questions.

Double-blind study

Neither participants nor researchers know group assignments to prevent bias.

IRB (Institutional Review Board)

Committee that reviews research involving humans to protect participants’ rights and welfare.

Ethics in psychological research

Guidelines to protect human and animal participants and ensure responsible conduct.

Central nervous system (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord; processes information and directs actions.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Nerves outside the CNS that connect the brain/spinal cord to the body.

Autonomic nervous system

Involuntary branch of the PNS regulating internal organs and glands.

Sympathetic division

Arouses body for action (fight-or-flight) during stress.

Parasympathetic division

Calms the body after stress, promotes conservation of energy.

Neuron

Nerve cell that transmits electrical impulses and chemical signals.

Neurotransmission

Communication between neurons via neurotransmitters across synapses.

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, appetite; dysregulation linked to mood disorders.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter linked to reward, motivation, movement; imbalances associated with several disorders.

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter involved in arousal and stress response.

Endocrine system

Glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream to regulate physiology and behavior.

Hormones

Chemical messengers that influence growth, metabolism, mood, and stress responses.

Brain imaging techniques

Methods to visualize brain structure and function (e.g., fMRI, MRI, CT, PET, EEG).

fMRI (functional MRI)

Imaging that measures brain activity by detecting blood flow changes.

Genetics & behavior

Genes provide a foundation for traits; gene-environment interactions shape behavior.

Gene-environment interactions

Interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental factors in shaping outcomes.

Evolutionary psychology

Explains psychological traits via natural selection and adaptation.

Neurotransmitters and mental health

Balance of neurotransmitters affects mood and cognition; dysregulation linked to mental disorders.

Central nervous system vs. Peripheral nervous system

CNS = brain and spinal cord; PNS = all nerves outside the CNS.