Introduction to Psychology

A collection of flashcards designed to aid in the review of key concepts in psychology as introduced in the lecture.

Psychology

The scientific study of the totality of human experience, including cognitions, affect, and behavior.

Structuralism

An early school of thought in psychology that aimed to identify the basic elements of consciousness.

Structuralism looks for underlying patterns and systems in culture, using examples like analyzing myths for binary oppositions (good/evil, raw/cooked) in Cinderella or Greek myths, studying language's "deep grammar," examining how road signs function as sign systems, or decoding literary symbols like the green light in The Great Gatsby.

• Introspection:

  Early psychologists like Wundt had subjects describe basic sensations (e.g., taste, sound) using single adjectives to find the building blocks of consciousness.

• Rorschach Test:

  Attempting to find underlying thought processes through responses to ambiguous inkblots. 

Functionalism

A school of thought focused on the function or purpose of consciousness, arguing that consciousness cannot be broken down into elements.

• Hunger:

  The sensation of hunger signals that the body needs food, which is an essential function for survival.

• Fear:

  Fear is an adaptive emotion that alerts individuals to potential dangers, triggering a flight or freeze response to ensure survival.

• Sleep:

  The function of sleep is to restore the body's energy, which allows for effective cognitive functioning when awake.

• Memory:

  Memory retention serves an adaptive function by allowing for decision-making and problem-solving based on past experiences. 

Behaviorism

A perspective that defines psychology as the scientific study of observable behavior.

• Positive Reinforcement: Adding a desirable stimulus to increase behavior.

  • Example: A teacher praises a student for raising their hand, making the student more likely to raise their hand again.

Cognitive Psychology

The branch that studies mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge, including perception, memory, and decision-making.

Social Psychology

The study of how social variables influence individual behavior and the dynamics of group interactions.

Positive Psychology

A branch focusing on the study of positive aspects of human experience, such as happiness and personal growth.

Evolutionary Psychology

A field that examines psychological traits as adaptations shaped by evolution.

Empiricism

The premise that knowledge should be acquired through observation and experimentation.

Cultural Heritage

The shared customs, beliefs, values, and norms of a group that influence behavior across generations.