General Psychology Notes - Day One (1)

Vocabulary flashcards covering Freud’s mind structures (id, ego, superego), core principles (pleasure vs reality principle), and the main psychological perspectives introduced in Chapter 1.

Sigmund Freud

Founder of psychoanalysis; proposed the three-part mind (id, ego, superego) that influence behavior and are often in conflict.

Id

Instinctual drives that seek immediate pleasure; operates on the pleasure principle.

Superego

Moral conscience; internalized societal rules and norms that clash with the id.

Ego

Rational mediator between id and superego; operates on the reality principle and acts as a referee.

Pleasure Principle

Id’s drive to seek immediate gratification and avoid pain, regardless of reality.

Reality Principle

Ego’s tendency to delay gratification until it is feasible within the real world.

Psychodynamic Approach

Psychology perspective emphasizing unconscious drives and internal conflicts as determinants of behavior.

Behavioral (Behaviorism)

Psychology perspective focusing on observable behaviors and learning through conditioning; often emphasizes environment over unconscious processes.

Unconscious

Part of the mind outside conscious awareness that influences thoughts and behavior.

Humanistic Approach

Third force in psychology; emphasizes free will, personal growth, and self-actualization.

Third Force

Another name for the humanistic approach as a distinct perspective in psychology.

Psychiatrist

Medical doctor who specializes in mental health and can prescribe medications.

Psychologist

Professional who studies behavior and mental processes; works in various subfields and does not typically prescribe medications.

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Subfield applying psychology to business, management, and workplace design.

Parenting Style Influence on Development

The way parents raise children can shape personality and behavior across development.

Psychodynamic vs Behavioral vs Humanistic (perspectives)

Psychodynamic emphasizes unconscious drives; Behavioral emphasizes observable learning; Humanistic emphasizes free will and growth.