Psychology's Roots, Critical Thinking, and Self-Improvement Tools

These flashcards cover key concepts and terminology related to psychology as discussed in the lecture notes.

Psychology

The study of mind, behavior, and mental processes.

Critical Thinking

The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment.

Curiosity

A basic attitude of questioning and seeking further understanding.

Skepticism

An attitude of doubt that encourages questioning rather than accepting claims at face value.

Humility

The readiness to accept that one's knowledge is limited and to be open to new ideas.

Perspective

A particular attitude or way of regarding something, such as how different subfields of psychology approach human behavior.

Biopsychosocial Approach

An integrative model that considers biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding psychological phenomena.

Nature-Nurture Issue

The debate regarding the relative influence of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) on individual behavior and traits.

Dual Processing

The principle that information is processed simultaneously on both conscious and unconscious levels.

Positive Psychology

A branch of psychology that focuses on the study of positive emotions, strengths, and factors that contribute to human flourishing.

Placebo Effect

A beneficial effect produced by a placebo drug or treatment, which arises from a patient's expectations about the treatment.

Replication

The process of repeating a study to verify its results and ensure accuracy.

Operational Definition

A clear definition of a variable in terms of the specific procedures used to measure it.