Thinking Critically With Psychological Science Quiz

Psychology

The science of behavior and mental processes.

Empirical approach

A method based on careful observation and testing.

Scientific attitude

A way of thinking that involves curiosity, skepticism, and humility.

Curiosity

The desire to explore new ideas and ask questions; it triggers new ideas.

Skepticism

Questioning claims and paying attention to facts and evidence.

Humility

Recognizing that predictions can be wrong and remaining open to surprises.

Critical thinking

The process of examining assumptions, appraising sources, discerning hidden biases, evaluating evidence, and assessing conclusions.

Examining assumptions

Questioning the beliefs or ideas that are being taken for granted.

Appraising the source

Evaluating where information comes from and whether the source is trustworthy.

Hidden biases

Unrecognized influences or prejudices that can affect how information is presented or interpreted.

Evaluating evidence

Determining whether the available evidence supports a claim or conclusion.

Assessing conclusions

Judging whether a conclusion is reasonable and supported by evidence.

Wilhelm Wundt

Researcher who established the first psychological laboratory in 1879 in Germany.

1879

The year Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychological laboratory.

Structuralism

One of the two early schools of thought in psychology.

Functionalism

One of the two early schools of thought in psychology.

Mary Whiton Calkins

One of the first women in the field of psychology.

Margaret Floy Washburn

One of the first women in the field of psychology.

Early definition of psychology

“The science of mental life.”

John B. Watson

A psychologist associated with behaviorism who helped shift psychology's focus toward observable behavior.

Behaviorism

The scientific study of observable behavior.

Behaviorism's influence

In the 1920s, behaviorism shifted psychology's focus to observable behavior and remained one of psychology's major forces into the 1960s.

Freudian psychology

Also called psychoanalytic psychology; it was a major force that helped revive interest in mental processes.

Psychoanalytic psychology

An approach associated with Freud that helped revive psychology's interest in mental processes.

Humanistic psychology

An approach that helped revive interest in the study of mental processes.

Cognitive revolution

A movement in the 1960s that returned psychology's focus to the study of the mind.

Modern definition of psychology

The science of behavior and mental processes.

Cognitive neuroscience

The study of the brain activity underlying mental activity.

Nature-nurture issue

The debate over the relative contributions of genes and experience and their interaction in specific environments.

Nature

The influence of genes and biological factors on behavior.

Nurture

The influence of experience and environmental factors on behavior.

Charles Darwin

Scientist whose view of natural selection helped influence evolutionary psychology.

Natural selection

The process through which evolutionary forces shape behaviors as well as physical characteristics.

Evolutionary psychology

The study of how common biology and evolutionary history contribute to similarities in behavior.

Behavior genetics

The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.

Cross-cultural studies

Studies that compare psychological processes or behavior across different cultures.

Gender studies

Studies that examine psychological similarities and differences related to gender.

Shared human kinship

The idea that humans share underlying psychological processes and principles despite differences across genders and cultures.

Positive psychology

A field that focuses on human flourishing and traits that help people thrive.

Human flourishing

The focus of positive psychology on understanding and promoting traits that help people thrive.

Biopsychosocial approach

An approach that integrates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.

Biological level of analysis

Examines biological influences on behavior and mental processes.

Psychological level of analysis

Examines psychological influences on behavior and mental processes.

Social-cultural level of analysis

Examines social and cultural influences on behavior and mental processes.

Why use the biopsychosocial approach?

It provides a more complete understanding than relying on only one theoretical perspective.

Neuroscience perspective

Focuses on biological processes and brain activity underlying behavior and mental processes.

Evolutionary perspective

Focuses on how evolutionary processes and natural selection influence behavior.

Behavior genetics perspective

Focuses on the relative influence of genes and environment on behavior.

Psychodynamic perspective

Focuses on psychological processes, including influences associated with unconscious processes.

Behavioral perspective

Focuses on observable behavior and how it is learned.

Cognitive perspective

Focuses on mental processes such as thinking, memory, and other mental activity.

Social-cultural perspective

Focuses on how social and cultural influences affect behavior and mental processes.

Basic research

Research conducted to increase psychology's knowledge base.

Applied research

Research conducted to solve practical problems.

Biological psychology

A common area of basic psychological research that focuses on biological influences on behavior and mental processes.

Developmental psychology

A common area of basic research that studies psychological changes and development.

Cognitive psychology

A common area of basic research focused on mental processes.

Personality psychology

A common area of basic research focused on personality and individual differences.

Social psychology

A common area of basic research focused on how people think about, influence, and relate to one another.

Industrial-organizational psychology

An applied area of psychology that uses psychological principles to solve practical problems in work and organizational settings.

Counseling psychology

A helping profession that assists people with challenges and crises, including academic, vocational, and relationship issues, and helps improve personal and social functioning.

Clinical psychology

A helping profession involving the assessment and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

Psychiatrist

A medical doctor who assesses and treats psychological disorders and may prescribe drugs in addition to psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy

Treatment for psychological disorders or difficulties through psychological methods.

Community psychology

A field that works to create healthy social and physical environments, such as in schools and neighborhoods.

Counseling psychologist

Helps people with challenges and crises and improves personal and social functioning.

Clinical psychologist

Assesses and treats people with mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

Psychiatrist vs. psychologist

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe drugs; psychologists are not medical doctors and generally provide psychological assessment and treatment rather than prescribing medication.