AP Psychology - Unit 0 Psychological Perspectives Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the primary psychological perspectives and key concepts based on Chapter 1 through Chapter 6.

Psychodynamic Perspective

A psychological perspective originally developed by Sigmund Freud as psychoanalytic theory that focuses on the unconscious mind, early childhood experiences, and repressed memories.

Free Association

A method used by Sigmund Freud where a word or image triggers another idea or word in the mind to help access unconscious thoughts and feelings.

Behaviorism

An objective scientific perspective supported by John B Watson, Ivan Pavlov, and BF Skinner that focuses strictly on observable behavior shaped by reinforcement and punishment.

Sociocultural Perspective

A perspective focusing on how social interactions, societal expectations, and cultural background shape individual behavior and choices.

Cultural Norms

Shared expectations and rules within a culture or group that guide human behavior.

Humanistic Perspective

An optimistic psychological approach led by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow that emphasizes free will, human growth potential, and individual self-actualization.

Self-Actualization

The drive and motivation of an individual to reach their full potential, emphasized within the humanistic perspective.

Cognitive Perspective

A psychological perspective centered on inner thoughts, specifically how individuals interpret, process, and store information.

Biological Perspective

A perspective that explores the connections between psychological processes and biological structures such as the brain, neurotransmitters, hormones, and the nervous system.

Biopsychosocial Perspective

An integrative approach combining biological, psychological, and social factors to gain a holistic understanding of behavior and mental processes.

Evolutionary Perspective

A psychological approach based on Charles Darwin's work that explores how natural selection and adaptation influence behavior and physical traits.

Natural Selection

The evolutionary process proposed by Charles Darwin through which adaptive behaviors and physical features are shaped over time.