Introduction to Psychology

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing key concepts in the introduction to psychology.

Psychology

The systematic study of behavior and experience.

Determinism

Every event has a cause.

Free will

Behavior is caused by independent decisions.

Dualism

The mind is separate from the brain but controls it.

Monism

Conscious experience is inseparable from the brain.

Clinical Psychologist

Advanced degree in psychology (MS, PhD) with a specialty in helping people with psychological problems.

Psychiatrist

MD degree plus 4 years residency training; deals with emotional disturbances and can prescribe drugs.

Industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology

Study of people at work, including hiring, feedback, and structuring work for productivity and satisfaction.

Human Factors/Ergonomics

Facilitates the operation of machinery to increase efficiency and safety.

Military Psychologists

Specialists who provide services to the military, similar to I/O psychology, focusing on leadership and strategies.

School Psychologists

Specialists in the psychological condition of students, identifying and planning for educational needs.

Community Psychologists

Promote mental health and well-being for a community, working as professors, researchers, or policy developers.

Developmental Psychology

How behavior changes with age, including areas of language, memory, and taste preference.

Learning and Motivation

How behavior is shaped by outcomes of past behaviors and current motivations.

Cognitive Psychology

Study of thought and knowledge; how people make decisions, solve problems, and convert thoughts into language.

Biological Psychology

Explains behavior in terms of biological factors, including activities of the nervous system, effects of drugs and hormones, genetics, and evolution.

Evolutionary Psychology

Explains behavior in terms of the history of the species; attempts to explain why we tend to act in a particular way.

Social and Cross-Cultural Psychology

Study how an individual influences others, and how others influence an individual; compares behavior of people from different cultures.

Introspection

Looking within oneself.

Structuralism

An attempt to describe the structures that compose the mind, particularly sensations, feelings, and images.

Functionalism

Focuses on what the mind does rather than what it is, or how we produce useful behaviors.

Comparative psychologist

Compares different animal species.

Basic research

Study that seeks theoretical knowledge for its own sake.

Applied research

Study dealing with practical problems.

Positive psychology

Study of the predispositions and experiences that make people happy, productive, and successful.