1. History and approaches (terms)

definition

Introspection

is the process of looking inward to examine and report on one's own conscious thoughts, feelings, and sensations.

structuralism

is an early school of psychology that aimed to analyze the structure of the mind by breaking down conscious experience into its most basic, fundamental components or "elements."

functionalism

is an early school of psychology that focused on understanding the purpose or function of consciousness and behavior—how they help us adapt to our environment, survive, and thrive.

psychoanalytic theory

is a personality theory and therapeutic method, developed by Sigmund Freud, that proposes that human behavior is determined by unconscious drives, conflicts, and desires, often rooted in early childhood experiences.

Behaviorism

is a theoretical approach in psychology that emphasizes the scientific study of observable and measurable behaviors while largely ignoring mental processes (like thoughts and emotions) because they are considered too subjective.

humanist perspective

is a theoretical approach that emphasizes the unique, positive qualities of human beings, such as our free will, potential for personal growth, and our innate drive to achieve self-actualization.

psychoanalytic perspective

is a theoretical framework developed by Sigmund Freud that emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind, early childhood experiences, and unconscious conflicts in shaping personality and causing psychological disorders

Biopsychology (neuroscience) perspective

is a theoretical approach that explains thoughts, feelings, and behaviors strictly in terms of biological processes. It focuses on how our genes, nervous system, hormones, and brain structures influence everything we do, think, and feel.

Evolutionary (darwinian) perspective 

applies the principles of natural selection to explain the origins of human behavior and mental processes. The core idea is that the mind and behavior are shaped by the process of evolution, just like physical traits.

Behavioral perspective

is a theoretical approach that focuses solely on observable and measurable behaviors, while largely ignoring mental processes like thoughts and emotions. It proposes that all behaviors are learned through interaction with the environment.

Cognitive perspective

is a theoretical framework in psychology that focuses on how people think, understand, and know. It emphasizes the role of mental processes—such as perception, memory, problem-solving, and language—in explaining human behavior.

Social-cultural perspective 

is a theoretical framework that emphasizes how behavior and thinking vary across situations and cultures. It focuses on the profound influence that society, cultural norms, social groups, and family have on shaping an individual's actions, thoughts, and feelings.