Thinking About Psychology: History and Perspectives

psychology

the scientific study of behavior and mental processes

basic research

pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base

applied research

scientific study that aims to solve practical problems

structuralism

theory that the structure of conscious experience could be understood by analyzing the basic elements of thoughts and sensations

Gestalt psychology

psychological perspective that emphasized our tendency to integrate pieces of information into meaningful wholes

functionalism

Theory that emphasized the functions of consciousness or the ways consciousness helps people adapt to their environment

psychoanalysis

therapeutic technique that attempts to provide insight into thoughts and actions by exposing and interpreting the underlying unconcious motives and conflicts

behaviorism

theory that psychology should only study observable behaviors, not mental processes

humanistic psychology

perspective that focuses on the study of conscious experience, the individual's freedom to choose, and the individual's capacity for personal growth

cognitive perspective

perspective that focuses on how people think like how we take in, process, store, and retrieve information

biological perspective

perspective that focuses on physical structures and substances underlying a particular behavior, thought, or emotion

social-cultural perspective

perspective that focuses on how thinking or behavior changes in different situations or as a result of cultural influences

behavior genetics

focuses on how much our genes and our environment influence our individual differences

evolutionary psychology

focuses on the principles of natural selection to study the roots of behavior and mental process

positive psychology

focuses on the study of optimal human functioning and the factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive