AP Psych - Unit 0 Part 1 Vocab

critical thinking

critical thinking

 Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, assesses the source, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

empiricism

the view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should, therefore, rely on observation and experimentation

structuralism

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

introspection

the process of looking inward in an attempt to directly observe ones own psychological process

functionalism

early school of thought promoted by James and influenced by Darwin; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments.

behaviorism

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

humanistic psychology

a historically significant perspective that emphasized the growth potential of healthy people

cognitive psychology

the scientific study of all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating

cognitive neuroscience

the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language).

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. Todays science sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of nature and nurture

natural selection

the principle that among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passes on to succeeding generations

evolutionary psychology

the study of the evolution of behavior and 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

positive psychology

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

biopsychosocial approach

an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.

behavioral psychology

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

biological psychology

the scientific study for the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes. (some biological psychologists call themselves behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavior geneticists, psychological psychologists, or bio psychologists.

psychodynamic psychology

 A branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior, and uses that information to treat people with 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. Also sometimes referred to as a retrieval practice effect or test-enhanced learning.

SQ3R

study method incorporating five steps: Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, Review.

Psychometrics

the scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes, and trait

Basic Research

pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base

Developmental Psychology

branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitives, and social change throughout the life span.

Educational Psychology

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

Personality Psychology

the study of an individuals characteristic pattern 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 human behavior in workplaces

Human Factors Psychology

an I/O psychology subfield 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 sometimes provided medical treatments as well as psychological therapy

Community Psychology

a branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups.