AP Psychology Unit 1

empiricism

The 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 and (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes.

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)

Nature-nurture issue

The long standing controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to development of psychological traits and behaviors

Natural selection

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

Levels of analysis

The differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon.

Biopsychosocial approach

An integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis

Biological psychology

The scientific study of the links between biological(genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes.

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

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

Social-cultural psychology

The study of how situations and cultures affect our behavior and thinking.

Psychology

Science of behavior and mental processes.

Psychometrics

A branch of psychology devoted to studying the measurement of our 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 enhance teaching and learning.

Personality Psychology

The study of an individual's 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 (I/O) psychology

The application of psychological concepts and methods to optimizing 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 that 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 that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders.

Psychiatry

A branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who sometimes provide medical (for example, 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 affects individuals and their groups.

Testing effect

Enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading information. Also sometimes referred to as a retrieval practice effect or test-enhanced learning.

SQ3R

A study method incorporating five steps: Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, Review.

Wilhem Wundt

Established the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig, Germany.

G. Stanley Hall

Wundt's American student that went on to establish the first formal U.S. psychology laboratory, at Johns Hopkins University.

William James

Philosopher who believed it was more fruitful to consider the evolved functions of our thoughts and feelings.

Mary Whiton Calkins

Participated in James's graduate seminar. The men dropped out when she joined, so she was tutored alone. Completed all the requirements for a Harvard Ph.D while outscoring all the male students on the qualifying exams, but was denied the degree and was offered a degree in stead from Radcliffe college, its undergraduate sister school for women. Calkins resisted the unequal treatment and refused the degree.

Jean Piaget

Swiss biologist; Last century's most influential observer of children.

Charles Darwin

22 year old voyager; argued that natural selection (evolutionary process) shapes behaviors as well as bodies
-Evolution became Biology's organizing principle

Dorothea Dix

Reformer who led the way to humane treatment of those with psychological disorders.

Sigmund Freud

Emphasized the ways emotional responses to childhood experiences and our unconscious thought processes affect our behavior.
-Influenced humanity's self-understanding

Margaret Floy Washburn

The first woman to receive a psychology Ph.D., Washburn synthesized animal behavior research in The Animal Mind

John B. Watson

Worked with Wayner and championed psychology as the science of behavior and demonstrated conditioned responses on a baby who became famous as "Little Albert".

B.F. Skinner

A leading behaviorist who rejected introspection and studied how consequences shape behavior.

Carl Rogers

Together with Maslow, led the humanistic psychologists, found both Freudian psychology and behaviorism too limiting.

Ivan Pavlov

Russian physiologist who pioneered the study of learning.

clinical psychology

studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders

counseling psychology

assists people with problems in living and in achieving greater well-being

School Psychology

identify and help students who have problems that interfere with learning

educational psychology

the study of how students learn, the effectiveness of particular teaching techniques, the social psychology of schools, and the psychology of teaching

Experiential Psychology

They are a diverse group of scientists who investigate a variety of basic behavioral processes in humans and other animals

Psychometric & quantitative psychologist

They study the methods and techniques used to acquire psychological knowledge

Social psychologist

They are interested in our interactions with others

Forensic psychologist

They apply psychology's principles and methods in the criminal justice system

Health psychologist

They are researchers and practitioners concerned with psychology's contribution to promoting health and preventing disease

Neuro-psychologist

They investigate the relationship between neurological processes and behavior

Rehabilitation psychologist

They are researchers and practitioners who work with people who have lost optimal functioning after an accident, illness, or other event

School Psychologist

Diagnose and treat cognitive, social, and emotional problems that may negatively influence children's learning or overall functioning at school

Sport Psychologist

They study the psychological factors that influence and are influenced by participation in physical activities

Community Psychologist

They deal with broad problems of mental health in community settings

Counseling psychologist

they help people adjust to life transitions or make lifestyle changes

Jean Piaget

A swigs psychologist, cognitive