Meyers AP Psychology Unit 1 part 1

Cognitive Psychology

the scientific study of mental processes, including perception, thought, memory, and reasoning

cognitive neuroscience

cognitive psychology + neuroscience

Empiricism

the view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should, therefore, rely on observation and experimentation

Structuralism

an early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the elemental structure of the human mind

Behaviorism

the view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2).

Functionalism

A school of psychology that focused on how our mental and behavioral processes function - how they enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish.

humanistic psychologists

a historically significant perspective that emphasized the growth potential of healthy people and individual's potential for fostering personal growth

critical thinking

thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

Introspection

examination of one's own thoughts and feelings

behavioral psychology

the scientific study of observable behavior, and its explanation by principles of learning

biopsychological approach

an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis

positive psychology

the scientific study of optimal human functioning; aims to discover and promote strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive

Culture

the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next

behavior genetics

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

evolutionary psychology

the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection

Natural selection

inherited variation those contributing to reproduction and survival will pass on succeeding generations

nature-nurture issue

the longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors. Today's science sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of nature and nurture

Psychology

the scientific study of behavior and mental processes

psychiatry

a branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who sometimes provide medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychological therapy

counseling psychology

a branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often related to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being

community psychology

a branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups

applied research

scientific study that aims to solve practical problems

personality psychology

the study of an individual's characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting

human factors psychology

a field of psychology allied with I/O psychology that explores how people and machines interact and how machines and physical environments can be made safe and easy to use

social psychology

the scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another

industrial-organizational (I/O) psychology

the application of psychological concepts and methods to optimizing human behavior in workplaces

clinical psychology

a branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders

educational psychology

the study of how psychological processes affect and can enhance teaching and learning

developmental psychology

a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span

biological psychology

a branch of psychology that studies the links between biological (including neuroscience and behavior genetics) and psychological processes

psychodynamic psychology

a branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior, and uses that information to treat people with psychological disorders

social-cultural psychology

the study of how situations and cultures affect our behavior and thinking

testing effect

enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading, information (also referred to as retrieval practice effect)

SQ3R

a study method incorporating five steps: Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, Review

Psychometrics

the scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes, and traits

basic research

pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base