History and Development of Psychology

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the major historical schools of thought, key theorists, core concepts, and therapeutic approaches in psychology.

Psychology

The scientific study of the mind and behavior that bridges internal biological processes (the brain), mental experiences (thoughts and emotions), and external actions (how humans interact with the world).

Psyche (ψυχή)

The ancient Greek root word meaning 'soul,' 'mind,' or 'spirit.'

Logos (λόγος)

The ancient Greek root word meaning 'study' or 'discourse.'

Structuralism

A school of thought founded on the idea that psychology should study the basic elements of consciousness, breaking it down into fundamental components (sensations, thoughts, feelings) like a 'chemistry of the mind.'

Introspection

The primary method of Structuralism in which individuals carefully observe and describe their own internal mental processes and perceptions.

Wilhelm Wundt (1832–1920)

Co-founder of Structuralism who defined psychology as the science of the facts of consciousness through the observation of behavior and introspection.

Edward Titchener (1867–1927)

Key figure who, alongside Wilhelm Wundt, established Structuralism and promoted introspection to analyze the fundamental elements of consciousness.

Functionalism

The school of psychology that studies the function of thoughts and behaviors and how they help organisms adapt to the environment and survive.

William James (1842–1910)

Founder of Functionalism who defined psychology as the science of the function of thoughts and behaviors in adapting to the environment.

Psychoanalysis

A psychological perspective asserting that behavior is driven by unconscious mental processes, motives, and conflicts often rooted in childhood.

Sigmund Freud (1856–1939)

Founder of Psychoanalysis who studied unconscious mental processes using methods such as dream analysis, free association, and talk therapy.

Behaviorism

The school of psychology maintaining that psychology should study observable behavior rather than the mind, positing that behavior is learned through conditioning.

Conditioning (Behaviorism)

The learning method emphasized by Behaviorism based on stimulus-response experiments involving rewards and punishments.

John B. Watson (1878–1958)

Early pioneer of Behaviorism who rejected the study of the internal mind in favor of the scientific observation of behavior.

B.F. Skinner (1904–1990)

Major behaviorist who demonstrated how behavior is acquired and maintained through environmental conditioning and reinforcement.

Humanistic Psychology

A psychological perspective focusing on free will, individual potential for positive growth, and the universal need for self-actualization.

Client-Centered Therapy

A humanistic therapy method centered on providing empathy, acceptance, and unconditional positive support to help individuals discover their potential.

Abraham Maslow (1908–1970)

Humanistic psychologist who focused on self-actualization, free will, and positive growth.

Carls Rogers (1902–1987)

Humanistic psychologist who developed client-centered therapy emphasizing empathy and unconditional positive acceptance.

Cognitive Psychology

The school of psychology that studies the mind as an information processor, focusing on mental operations such as perception, memory, thinking, and problem-solving.

Ulric Neisser (1928–2012)

Pioneering cognitive psychologist who characterized human mental processes using an information-processing model.

Jean Piaget (1896–1980)

Cognitive psychologist renowned for studying the cognitive processes and intellectual development of the mind.

Aaron Beck (1921–2021)

Prominent figure in Cognitive Psychology who focused on the role of internal cognitive processes and thoughts in psychological functioning.

Socioculturalism

The perspective that studies how higher mental functions develop through social interaction, positing that thoughts and behaviors are shaped by culture, social groups, and context.

Lev Vygotsky (1896–1934)

Founder of Socioculturalism who identified social interaction, cultural tools, and social context as primary drivers of higher mental development.

Biopsychology (Physiological Psychology)

The branch of psychology that analyzes how the brain, genes, neurotransmitters, and other biological factors influence human behaviors, thoughts, and feelings.

Donal Hebb (1904–1985)

Key figure in Biopsychology / physiological psychology who investigated how brain structures, biology, and neural mechanisms shape mental processes.

Third-Wave Therapies (Contextual Therapies, 1980s–2000s)

Therapeutic approaches proposing that psychological suffering stems from struggling to control or avoid inner experiences, aiming for acceptance and values-based action through mindfulness.

Steven Hayes (ACT)

Psychologist associated with Third-Wave contextual therapies who developed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Marsha Linehan (DBT)

Psychologist associated with Third-Wave contextual therapies who developed Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Jon Kabat-Zinn (MBSR)

Pioneer of Third-Wave contextual therapies who developed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).