AP Psychology Intro Unit

Structuralism

The study of the brain through introspection to examine basic cognitive structure; founded by Wilhelm Wundt

Functionalism

Explored how mental and behavioral processes (structures identified by Wundt) function in our lives; founded by William James

Introspection

Technique used by Wundt where subjects were asked to accurately record their cognitive reactions to simple stimuli

Wilhelm Wundt

Set up the first psych. lab in an apartment near the university at Leipzig, Germany (1879); trained subjects in introspection; father of psych.

William James

Published the first psych. textbook Principles of Psychology (1890); established functionalism

Sigmund Freud

Founder of psychoanalysis; believed the unconscious mind determines how we thing and behave; used dream analysis, word association, etc.

John B. Watson

Redefined psychology as the study of observable behavior (not unconscious mind); behavioral psychologist; studied Pavlov’s experiments

B. F. Skinner

Expanded behaviorism to include reinforcement—environmental stimuli that encourage or discourage behavior

Carl Rogers

Founder of humanistic psychology; stressed individual choice and free will; developed concept of unconditional positive regard

Abraham Maslow

Humanistic psychologist; created Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: physiological → safety → love/belonging → esteem → self-actualization

Ivan Pavlov

Performed pioneering conditioning experiment on dogs; led to the development of classical conditioning; unconditioned stimulus (food) + unconditioned response (saliva) → add neutral stimulus (bell) → conditioned stimulus (bell) + conditioned response (saliva)

Jean Piaget

Developed a cognitive developmental theory on how our cognition develops in stages as we mature

Charles Darwin

Developed theory of evolution by natural selection; contributed to evolutionary psychology

Biopsychosocial Perspective

Trans-disciplinary model combining different perspectives of psychology

Nature vs. Nurture Issue

biological vs. environmental influence on behavior (inherited / learned); most frequently both play a role

Behavioral Perspective

Study of how condition in the form of rewards and punishment and learned behaviors affect our behavior and cognition

Biological Perspective

Study of how biological factors such as genes, hormones, and neurotransmitters affect our behavior and cognition

Cognitive Perspective

Study of how the way we interpret situations and our mental processes such as problem-solving, memory construction, and decision making affect our behavior and cognition

Evolutionary Perspective

Study of how natural selection of traits promotes the survival of genes and affects our behavior and cognition

Humanistic Perspective

Study of how our strive for personal growth, self-actualization, and the fulfillment of our needs affect behavior and cognition

Psychodynamic Perspective

Study of how impulses and memories pushed into the unconscious mind through repression affect our behavior and congnition

Sociocultural Perspective

Study of how our culture and societal conditions affect our behavior and cognition