Psychology chp 1

Psychology

Psychology

The scientific study of mind and behavior, encompassing mental processes, experiences, and various contexts.

Mental Processes

Internal states of consciousness or awareness involved in thinking, solving problems, and remembering.

Experience

Subjective and internal to the individual, referring to the awareness of one's own thoughts and feelings.

Behaviour

Responses or actions of individuals, ranging from simple reflexes to complex social interactions.

Structuralism

An early school of psychology that focused on breaking down mental processes into their most basic components using introspection.

Functionalism

An approach to psychology that emphasizes how mental processes help individuals adapt to their environments.

Behaviourism

A perspective in psychology that focuses on observable behaviors and the responses to stimuli, disregarding mental processes.

Gestalt Psychology

A school of thought in psychology that studies how people perceive entire structures rather than just the sum of their parts.

Psychoanalysis

A theory and therapeutic method founded by Sigmund Freud that focuses on unconscious desires and conflicts.

Humanistic Psychology

An approach that emphasizes the personal worth of the individual and the importance of human values and self-actualization.

Cognitive Psychology

The study of mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge, including perception, memory, and problem-solving.

Developmental Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies how individuals change and grow throughout their lifespan.

Social Psychology

The examination of how individuals are influenced by their social environments and the presence of other people.

Health Psychology

The study of how psychological factors affect health and illness; focuses on stress, coping mechanisms, and health behaviors.

Clinical Psychology

A field concerned with diagnosing and treating mental disorders and emotional problems.

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

The application of psychological principles to workplace environments to improve employee performance and well-being.

Neuroscience

The study of the nervous system, including the brain's impact on behavior and cognitive functions.

Psychoneuroimmunology

A field that studies the interaction between psychological processes, the nervous system, and the immune system.

Introspection

An examination of one's own conscious thoughts and feelings, historically used to analyze mental processes.

Cognition

The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.

Constructivism

A theory which posits that individuals construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiences.

Environmental Psychology

The field that studies the interplay between individuals and their surroundings, including built environments and natural landscapes.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

The study of how cultural factors influence human behavior.