genpsych-unit 1 review

Psychology

The scientific study of the mind and behavior.

Structuralism

A psychological perspective that seeks to understand conscious experience through introspection, founded by Wilhelm Wundt.

Functionalism

Focused on how mental activities helped an organism adapt to its environment, established by William James.

Psychoanalytic Theory

Focuses on the role of the unconscious in affecting conscious behavior, developed by Sigmund Freud.

Gestalt Psychology

Focuses on humans as a whole rather than individual parts, associated with psychologists like Wertheimer, Koffka, and Kohler.

Behaviorism

A psychological approach that focuses on observing and controlling behavior, pioneered by figures such as Pavlov, Watson, and Skinner.

Humanism

A perspective that emphasizes the potential for good inherent in all humans, associated with Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers.

Dualism

The philosophical view that the mind and body are distinct and separable, as proposed by René Descartes.

Neurons

The basic building blocks of the nervous system that transmit information through electrical and chemical signals.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across the synapse between neurons.

Agonist

A drug that mimics or enhances the effects of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist

A drug that blocks or inhibits the effects of a neurotransmitter.

Cognitive Psychology

The branch of psychology that studies mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving.

Developmental Psychology

The study of physical and mental attributes as they change throughout the lifespan.

Clinical Psychology

The branch of psychology focused on diagnosing and treating psychological disorders.

Research Ethics

Guidelines that protect research participants in psychological studies, including informed consent and confidentiality.

Placebo Effect

Phenomenon where participants experience changes due to their beliefs or expectations, rather than the treatment itself.

Correlational Research

A research method that examines the relationship between two or more variables, without implying causation.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for 'fight or flight' responses.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system that regulates 'rest and digest' processes.

Hormones

Chemical messengers released into the bloodstream that regulate various bodily functions.

Hybrid Research

Combining different research methods to gain a more comprehensive understanding of psychological phenomena.

Five Factor Model

A model that describes personality using five broad dimensions: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.