Introduction to Psychology and Biological Perspective

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering the introduction to psychology, historical figures, research methods, perspectives, ethics, genetics, and biological basics from Chapters 1 and 2.

Psychology

The scientific study of human behavior and mental processes or thought, coming from Aristotle's word psyche and the Greek word logos.

Psychology

Comes from Aristotle's words “psyche” plus the Greek word “logos” meaning the study of the soul or mind

Psychology

Scientific study of behavior and mental processes

To describe

With use of senses to see the external actions/movements

To explain

To interpret what you have seen

To predict

What will happen in the future because of present situation

To influence

Modification of behavior

Overt behavior

Behaviors that are observable by others.

Covert behavior

Behaviors that are known only to the person experiencing them.

Objective Introspection

The process of objectively examining and measuring one's own thoughts and mental activities, introduced by Wilhelm Wundt.

Wilhelm Wundt

Physiologist considered the 'father of modern psychology' who in 1879 attempted to apply scientific principles to the study of the human mind.

Margaret F. Washburn

The first woman to receive a Ph.D. in psychology in 1894.

Mary Whiton Calkins

Psychologist who completed all Ph.D. requirements at Harvard University in 1894 but was denied the degree because she was a woman.

Francis Cecil Sumner

The first African American to earn a Ph.D. in psychology at Clark University in 1920.

George (Jorge) Sanchez

Hispanic psychologist who in 1940 conducted research on intelligence testing, focusing on cultural biases in such tests.

Structuralism

School of psychology expanded by Edward Titchener focusing on the structure of the mind and breaking experiences down into individual emotions and sensations using introspection.

Functionalism

School of psychology founded by William James, influenced by Darwin, focusing on how the mind allows people to function in the real world and aid in survival.

Gestalt Psychology

School of psychology founded by Max Wertheimer focusing on whole patterns rather than small pieces, named after the German word meaning 'an organized whole' or 'configuration'.

Behaviorism

The 'science of behavior' promoted by John Broadus Watson that focuses strictly on observable behavior and ignores consciousness.

Operant Conditioning

A learning mechanism in the behavioral perspective where voluntary behavior is learned and responses followed by pleasurable consequences are strengthened or reinforced.

Humanistic Perspective

Psychological view often called the 'third force', founded by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, focusing on human potential, free will, and self-actualization.

Cognitive Perspective

Psychological approach with roots in Gestalt psychology focusing on memory, intelligence, perception, thought processes, problem solving, language, and learning.

Sociocultural Perspective

Psychological perspective combining social and cultural psychology to study individual behavior as a result of the presence of others, groups, or culture.

Biopsychological Perspective

Psychological approach viewing human and animal behavior as a direct result of body events, such as hormones, brain structures, chemicals, and disease.

Evolutionary Perspective

Psychological perspective focusing on the biological bases for universal mental characteristics that all humans share, such as fear and mate selection.

Scientific Method

A system for reducing bias and error in the measurement of data, consisting of five steps matching the goals of psychology.

Observer Effect

Phenomenon in naturalistic observation where subjects who know they are being watched will not behave normally.

Participant Observation

A technique in naturalistic observation where researchers use one-way mirrors or actively become participants in a group.

Observer Bias

Bias occurring when the person doing the observation holds a particular opinion about what they expect to see.

Case Study

A descriptive research method in which an individual is studied in-depth and greater detail to learn as much as possible.

Correlation Coefficient

A statistical value produced by correlation calculating the direction and strength of the relationship between variables, which does not prove causation.

Experiment

The only research method allowing researchers to determine cause-and-effect by deliberately manipulating a variable and measuring changes.

Operational Definition

A definition that specifically names the steps or procedures used to control or measure a variable in an experiment.

Independent Variable

The variable in an experiment that is manipulated by the experimenter.

Dependent Variable

The measure used to evaluate the manipulation of the independent variable in an experiment.

Placebo Effect

An experimental hazard where participants' beliefs or expectations about a study influence their behavior.

Experimenter Effect

An experimental hazard where the experimenter's biases affect or influence participants' behavior.

Single-blind Study

A study in which participants are unaware of whether or not they have received a treatment.

Double-blind Study

A study in which neither the subjects nor the observers know who has received the treatment.

Informed Consent

A participant's agreement to participate in research after receiving information about the study's purpose and treatment nature.

Debriefing

The post-research process that explains the true purposes and methods of completed procedures to a participant.

Behavioral Genetics

Field of study examining how genes and environment interact to shape behavior through twin and adoption studies.

Epigenetics

The study of how environment can affect gene expression without changing the underlying DNA sequence.

Psychologist

A professional holding a doctorate degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) who works in specialized settings, is licensed to practice independently, and typically does not prescribe medication.

Psychiatrist

A medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and can prescribe medication.

Psychiatric Social Worker

A professional trained in social work (M.S.W.) who often holds a professional license (L.C.S.W.) to practice in clinical settings.

Nervous System

A network of cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body.

Neuroscience

Branch of the life sciences dealing with the structure and functioning of the brain, neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue.

Santiago Ramón y Cajal

A doctor who in 1887 first theorized that the nervous system was made up of individual cells.

Neuron

The specialized cell in the nervous system that receives and sends messages within that system.

Afferent (Sensory) Neurons

Neurons that carry messages from the senses to the spinal cord.

Efferent (Motor) Neurons

Neurons that carry messages from the spinal cord to the muscles and glands.

Interneurons

Neurons that connect afferent neurons to motor neurons and make up the inside of the spinal cord and much of the brain.

Dendrites

Tree-like or branch-like structures attached to the soma of a neuron that receive messages from other cells.