Psychology Vocabulary Chapter 1

Psychology

the scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Structuralism

early perspective in psychology associated with William Wundt and Edward Titchener, in which the focus of study is the structure or basic elements of the mind.

Functionalism

early perspective in psychology associated with William James, in which the focus of study is how the mind allows people to adapt, live, work, and play.

Psychoanalysis 

the theory and therapy based on the work of Sigmund Freud, emphasizing the revealing of unconscious conflict

Behaviorism 

the science of behavior that focuses on observable behavior only

Psychodynamic perspective

 a modern version of psychoanalysis that is more focused on the development of a sense of self and the discovery of other motivations behind a person’s behavior than repressed desire.

Cognitive perspective

 modern perspective that focuses on memory, intelligence, perception, problem solving, and learning.

Sociocultural perspective

perspective that focuses on the relationship between social behavior and culture

Biopsychological perspective

 perspective that attributes human and animal behavior to biological events occurring in the body, such as genetic influences, hormones, and the activity of the nervous system

Evolutionary psychology

perspective that focuses on the biological bases of universal mental characteristics that all humans share

Positive psychology

a viewpoint that recommends shifting the focuses in the biological bases of universal mental characteristics that all humans share

Clinical psychology

area of psychology in which psychologists diagnose and treat people with psychological disorders that may range from mild to severe.

Counseling psychology

area of psychology in which the psychologists held people with problems of adjustment.

Developmental psychology

area of psychology in which psychologists study the changes in the way people think, relate to others, and feel as they age

Social psychology

 area of psychology in which psychologists focus on how human behavior is affected by the presence of other people.

Industrial-organization psychology

 area of psychology concerned with the relationships between people and their work environment.