Psychology Lecture Notes Review

Flashcards based on lecture notes about the history of psychology, major perspectives, and key figures.

What is Psychology?

The science of behavior and mental processes.

What is Behavior?

Directly observable and measurable actions.

What are Mental Processes?

Psychological activity including thoughts, feelings, and perceptions.

What is Science?

A systematic method of studying phenomena.

Who is Wilhelm Wundt?

Founded the first experimental psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany in 1879.

What is Structuralism?

Analyze consciousness into its basic elements.

What is the Method of Introspection?

Careful, systematic self-observation of one's own conscious experience.

What is Functionalism?

Investigate the function or purpose of consciousness, not the structure of the mind.

Who is Sigmund Freud?

He published internationally famous book “The Interpretation of Dreams”.

What is Behaviorism?

Focuses on learning and behavior in animals.

What is the Humanistic perspective?

Focuses on complex human motives.

What is the Cognitive Perspective?

View that cognition determines behavior and emotion.

What is the Neuropsychological Perspective?

Formed as psychology turns toward understanding the biological roots of behavior, thinking, and emotion.

What is the Evolutionary Perspective?

Formed with the focus of studying how behaviors in animals and humans evolve in order to adapt to changing environments.

What is the Empirical Method?

A systematic approach to acquiring knowledge through observation, experimentation, and evidence.

What is Clinical Psychology?

Diagnose and treat serious mental disorders.

What is Counseling Psychology?

Help mentally healthier individuals cope with life challenges.

What is Developmental Psychology?

Study human growth and changes from birth to death.

What is School Psychology?

Help students with learning/emotional challenges to support school success.

What is Educational Psychology?

Apply psychology to improve learning and teaching methods.

What is Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology?

Improve workplace efficiency and employee well-being.

What is Social Psychology?

Study how social interactions affect behavior and thinking.

What is Personality Psychology?

Study and measure individual differences in personality.

What is Cognitive Psychology?

Study mental processes (memory, perception, language, decision-making).

What is Experimental Psychology?

Study behavior through controlled experiments, often on learning or biological bases.

What is Neuropsychology / Biopsychology?

Study how the brain and nervous system influence behavior.

What is Health Psychology?

Explore how psychological factors affect physical health.

What is Forensic Psychology?

Apply psychology to criminal justice and legal systems.

What is Sports Psychology?

Help athletes optimize performance and handle pressure.

What event is the year 1879 famous for?

Wilhelm Wundt founded first psychology lab in Leipzig, Germany.

What is the focus of functionalism?

Studies the function of mental processes.

What were Hall’s ‘firsts’?

First U.S. lab, 1st APA president, 1st Ph.D. in psych, developmental research pioneer.

What is Psychoanalytic Theory?

Emphasized unconscious forces guiding behavior.

What is Behaviorism?

Focused on observable behavior, not inner thoughts.

What challenges did Calkins face?

Denied Ph.D. due to gender despite fulfilling requirements.

What was the cognitive revolution?

Shift from behaviorism to studying internal mental processes.

What is Biopsychology & Evolutionary Psychology?

Emphasizes the biological and evolutionary basis for universal behaviors.

What are today’s dominant fields?

Cognitive psychology, neuroscience.

What are the Keywords / Concepts of Behavioral?

Observable behavior, learning, rewards/punishment, classical & operant conditioning.

What are the Keywords / Concepts of Psychoanalytic?

Freud, unconscious, childhood, repression, defense mechanisms.

What are the Keywords / Concepts of Humanistic?

Positive human nature, self-concept, Maslow, Rogers.

What are the Keywords / Concepts of Cognitive?

Thought processes, information-processing, problem-solving.

What are the Keywords / Concepts of Biological?

Brain, neurotransmitters, hormones, nervous system.

What are the Keywords / Concepts of Evolutionary?

Survival, reproduction, ancestral traits, mate selection.

What are the Keywords / Concepts of Sociocultural?

Culture, social influence, norms, group dynamics.

Which psychologists are linked to behaviorism?

John B. Watson, B.F. Skinner.

What should psychology focus on, according to behaviorists?

Observable behavior.

Are humans born with behaviors, or is everything learned, according to behaviorists?

Everything is learned with reference to behaviorism.

Do behaviorists believe we control our behavior?

No, they believe the environment controls us.

Who founded psychoanalytic theory?

Sigmund Freud.

Are we aware of the processes that guide us, according to Freud?

No, unconscious drives guide us.

Is the sexual drive present at birth or adolescence?

Present at birth, according to Freud.

Are people unselfish, neutral, or selfish by nature according to Freud?

Selfish (according to Freud).

Which psychologists are linked to the humanistic perspective?

Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers.

Do humanists believe we control our actions?

Yes, we have free will.

What is the main human motive, according to humanists?

Self-actualization (fulfilling one’s potential).