Modules 1-3

Critical Thinking

thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions; examining assumptions and the source, recognizing bias, evaluating and assessing evidence and conclusions

Empiricism

the idea that knowledge comes from experience, and that observation and experimentation enable scientific knowledge

Structuralism

an early school of thought promoted by Wundt and Edward; used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind

Introspection

the process of looking inward in an attempt to directly observe one's own psychological processes

Functionalism

an early school of thought promoted by James and influenced by Darwin; explored how mental and behavioral processes function--how it enables the organism to adapt, survive, and flourish. Explored how behavior and thinking function

Behaviorism

the view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most modern psychologists agree with (1) but not (2)

Humanistic Psychology

a historically significant perspective that emphasized human growth potential

evaluating an individual as a whole vs through only one small aspect

Cognitive Psychology

the study of how mental processes such as occur when we perceive, learn, remember, think, communicate, and solve problems - How thinking and emotion interact with disorders (ie. anxiety, depression)

Cognitive Neuroscience

the interdisciplinary study of the brain linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language); cognitive psychology + neuroscience

Psychology

the science of behavior and mental processes

Nature-nurture issue

the longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors

Natural selection

the principle that inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will (in a competition with other trait variations) most likely will be passed on to succeeding generations (survival of the fittest)

Evolutionary psychology

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

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; Shapes our behavior and beliefs

Positive psychology

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

Biopsychosocial approach

an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural viewpoints. The viewpoints are differing, but complementary.

Behavioral psychology

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

Biological psychology

the scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes

Psychodynamic psychology

a branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior and uses that information to treat people's psychological disorders

Social-cultural psychology

the study of how situations and cultures affect our behavior and thinking

Testing effect

enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading information

SQ3R

a study method that incorporates 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 lifespan

Educational psychology

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

Personality psychology

the study of individuals' characteristic patterns 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

Industrial-organizational (I/O) psychology

the application of psychological concepts and methods to optimizing behavior in workplaces. Study the relationship between people and their working environments

Human factors psychology

a field of psychology allied with I/O psychology that explores how people and machines interact and how machines and physical environments can be made safe and easy to use

Counseling psychology

a branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often related to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being

Clinical psychology

a branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders

Psychiatry

a branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who are listened to provide medical (ie. drug) treatments as well as psychological therapy; Medical doctors who are licensed to prescribe drugs for psychological disorders

Community psychology

a branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups. Believe that human behavior is influenced by the interaction between people and their environments (physical, social, political, economic)

distributed practice

spacing the study of material to be remembered by including breaks between study periods

Wilhelm Wundt

established the first psychology laboratory, located in Germany

William James

promoted functionalism, thought it would be more effective to consider the evolved functions of our thoughts/feelings

Sigmund Freud

developed the idea of psychoanalytic psychology, which emphasizes the ways our unconscious mind and childhood experiences affect our behavior. His ideas influenced humanity's self-understanding

John Watson

- helped development theory of behaviorism

- Little Albert experiment

- defined psychology as the scientific study of observable behavior

BF Skinner

modern behaviorism's most influential and controversial figure

created the operant chamber

Carl Rogers

leader of humanistic psychology

Stanley Milgram

- "Obedience" experiment --> testing how people respond to authority

- controversial & unethical experiment