American Psychology and Gestalt Psychology

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to American psychology, including behaviorism, gestalt psychology, and various theories and methods discussed in the lecture.

Behaviorism

A psychological approach that emphasizes the study of observable behavior and the role of the environment in shaping behavior.

Gestalt Psychology

A psychological approach that critiques reductionist and structuralist views, asserting that perceptions are organized as whole forms rather than as sums of individual elements.

Field Theory

Kurt Lewin's theory that illustrates behavior in relation to the surrounding environment, focusing on the dynamic interplay of all influences affecting a person.

Hypothesis of Constancy

The assumption in early psychological theories that there is a strict correlation between sensory stimulation and immediate experience.

Introspection

A method involving self-examination of one's conscious thoughts and feelings, often criticized by behaviorists for its lack of objectivity.

Organic Whole

The idea in Gestalt psychology that the whole experience cannot be understood merely by breaking it down into elements.

Phenomenology

A philosophical method that studies the structures of consciousness as experienced from a first-person viewpoint.

Prägnanz principle

A principle stating that individuals tend to perceive ambiguous or complex images in a way that is simple and complete.

Elementarism

The belief that complex mental experiences can be broken down into simpler components or elements.

Insight Learning

A form of problem-solving characterized by sudden realizations or insights, as opposed to trial-and-error learning.