Psychology: History, Perspectives, and Methods - Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering major psychology perspectives, methods, and foundational figures mentioned in the lecture notes.

Humanistic psychology

A school that emphasizes personal growth, free will, and the inherent worth and potential of each person.

Behaviorism

The scientific study of observable behavior;

John B. Watson

Founder of behaviorism; psychology should study observable behavior.

Sociocultural perspective

A view that examines how ethnicity, gender, culture, and socioeconomic status influence behavior and mental processes.

Structuralism

Early school of psychology that analyzed conscious experience into basic elements—objective sensations and subjective feelings. WILHEM

Wilhelm Wundt

Founder of structuralism and founder of experimental psychology; established the first psychology laboratory.

Cognition

Mental processes such as thinking, perception, memory, and problem solving.

Modern psychology

The discipline that emerged in the 1800s with the birth of modern science.

Psychoanalysis

A school of psychology that emphasizes unconscious motives and conflicts shaping behavior.

Behavioral approach

An approach focusing on observable behavior and environmental determinants, often downplaying conscious experience.

Functionalism

A perspective that emphasizes the purpose or function of behavior and mental processes.

Biological perspective

The view that psychology should study how biological factors (brain, nervous system, hormones, genetics) influence behavior.

Cross-sectional method

A research method that compares different age groups at the same time to understand lifespan changes.

Case study

An in-depth examination of a single person or group to reveal general principles.

Random sampling

Selecting participants so that every member of the target population has an equal chance of being included.

Replication (replicability)

A concern with case studies: they cannot always be replicated, limiting generalizability.

Double-blind procedure

An experimental design in which neither participants nor researchers know who is in which condition to prevent bias.

Psychodynamic psychology

Emphasizes unconscious forces and early experiences in shaping behavior.

Cognitive psychology

The study of unobservable mental processes such as sensation, perception, memory, thought, and problem solving.

Dreams and memories (cognitive activities)

Reference to cognitive activities, including dreams, perceptions, thoughts, and memories.

Placebo