Introduction to Psychology Concepts

These flashcards cover foundational concepts in psychology based on the provided lecture notes, focusing on definitions and key theories.

Psychology

The study of the mind and behavior.

Scientific Method

A systematic approach used by psychologists to acquire knowledge through observations and experiments.

Empirical Method

Acquiring knowledge through observation and experimentation.

Structuralism

An early school of psychology focused on the contents of mental processes, founded by Edward Titchener.

Functionalism

A school of psychology that viewed mental activities as helping an organism adapt to its environment.

Psychoanalytic Theory

A theory by Sigmund Freud focusing on the role of the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences.

Gestalt Psychology

A theory that emphasizes understanding the whole of a perception, not just its parts.

Behaviorism

The study of observable behavior and the role of the environment in shaping behavior.

Operant Conditioning

A method of behavior modification that uses reinforcement and punishment to influence behavior.

Id-Ego-Superego

Freud's structural model of personality, with the Id representing primal instincts, the Ego moderating reality, and the Superego embodying morality.

Libido

Psychosexual energy or drive in Freud's theory.

Unconscious Mind

The part of the mind that contains memories, desires, and experiences that are not currently in consciousness.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one's pre-existing beliefs.

Correlation

A statistical relationship between two variables, which does not imply causation.

Pseudoscience

Claims that are presented as scientific but lack supporting evidence and do not adhere to the scientific method.

Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit information through electrical and chemical signals.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses between neurons.

Sensation

The detection of physical energy by sense organs.

Perception

The brain's interpretation of detected sensory information.

Transduction

The conversion of physical energy into neural signals.

Schema

Mental frameworks that help organize and interpret information.

Cognitive Revolution

A shift in psychology to focus on mental processes and how they influence behavior.

Placebo Effect

The phenomenon whereby patients experience changes in their condition due to their expectations, rather than the treatment itself.