Psychology 101

The Danger of a Single Story

Refers to how oversimplified narratives can lead to stereotypes and bias.

Impulsive Bias

A subconscious influence that shapes our perceptions and behaviors based on our experiences.

Growth Mindset

Belief in the ability to develop skills through questioning and trying new things.

Fixed Mindset

Belief that abilities and intelligence are static and cannot be changed.

Four goals of Psychology

Describe, Explain, Predict, Control.

Structural Psychology

Old school thought focused on breaking down the mind into its simplest parts.

Gestalt Psychology

The concept that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Psychoanalysis

Freudian theory emphasizing the unconscious mind, including the concepts of ID, Superego, and Ego.

Behavioral Psychology

Focuses solely on observable behaviors and the responses to stimuli.

Humanism

Psychology that emphasizes human potential and the study of happy, healthy individuals.

WEIRD

Refers to research samples that predominantly include Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic populations.

Biopsychosocial Model

An integrated approach that considers biological, psychological, and social factors.

Thinking Errors

Cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias and bandwagon effect, that can distort thinking.

Classical Conditioning

Learning process that occurs through associations between an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus.

Clinical Psychology

Field of psychology focused on diagnosing and treating mental disorders.

Neuroscience

The scientific study of the nervous system, crucial in understanding the biological aspects of psychology.

Cognitive Psychology

The branch of psychology that studies mental processes like perception, memory, and reasoning.

Developmental Psychology

Field that studies psychological growth and changes throughout the lifespan.

Social Psychology

Study of how social interactions and culture influence behavior and identity.

Howard University

One of two HBCUs with accredited graduate programs in psychology, significant in training Black psychologists.