AP Psych: Unit 1 vocab & key contributors

empiricism

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

structuralism

early school of thought promoted by Wundt and Titchener; used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind

functionalism

early school of thought promoted by James and influenced by Darwin; explored how mental and behavioral processes function- how they enable the organism to adapt, survive, and flourish

experimental psychology

the study of behavior and thinking using the experimental method

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 not 2

humanistic psychology

a historically significant perspective that emphasized the growth potential of healthy people

cognitive neuroscience

the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language)

psychology

the science of behavior and mental processes

nature-nurture issue

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

natural selection

the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

levels of analysis

the differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to socio-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon

biopsychosocial approach

an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and sociocultural levels of analysis

behavioral psychology

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

biological psychology

the scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes. (some biological psychologists call themselves behavioral neuroscientists etc...)

cognitive psychology

the scientific study of all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating

evolutionary psychology

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

psychodynamic psychology

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

socio-cultural psychology

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

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

developmental psychology

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

educational psychology

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

personality psychology

the study of an individuals characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting

social psychology

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

applied research

scientific study that aims to solve practical problems

industrial-organizational psychology

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

human factors psychology

an i-o psychology subfield that explores how people and machines interact and how machines and physical environments can be made safe and easy to use

counseling psychology

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

clinical psychology

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

psychiatry

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

positive psychology

the scientific study of human functioning, with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities to thrive

community psychology

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

Wilhelm Wundt

established 1st psychology lab at University of Leipzig, Germany

structuralist

G. Stanley Hall

Started first psych lab in US at JHU

Wundt’s student

William James

Functionalist

focused on why our brain and nose worked together and used ideas from Darwin about adaptations

authored Principles of Psychology

Mary Whiton Clakins

important memory researcher

mentored by william james

first female president of APA

Margaret Floy Washburn

synthesized animal behavior in The Animal Mind

secong female president of APA

mentored by titchener

Sigmund Freud

emphasized emotional responses to childhood and unconscious thoughts affecting our behavior

inspired psychodynamic approach

John B. Watson

behaviorist

thought psych as science of behavior and conditioned responses

dismissed introspection

B.F. Skinner

leading behaviorist

dismissed introspection focused on observable behavior

Carl Rogers

humanistic psychologist

focused on current environmental influence and the need for love and acceptance, ignored childhood experiences and conditioned response

Ivan Pavlov

russian physiologist

pioneered study of learning

Jean Piaget

swiss biologist

influential observer of children

Charles Darwin

1800s voyager

believed natural selection shapes behavior and genes

Dorothea Dix

helped to create the humane treatment of those with psychological disorders