Introduction to Psychology

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and terms discussed in the Introduction to Psychology lectures.

Psychology

The scientific field of inquiry into behavior and mental processes.

Behaviorism

A key approach in modern psychology that focuses on observable behavior.

Cognitive Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies how behavior is informed by mental processes.

Eugenics

A dangerous concept that links human progress to biologically defined aspects, historically used to justify discriminatory beliefs.

Wilhelm Wundt

The founder of modern psychology who investigated the mind through introspection.

Phineas Gage

A historical case study showing how a brain injury can affect personality, linked to the prefrontal cortex.

Cognitive Neuroscience

The field that studies the relationship between cognitive processes and brain activity.

Empiricism

The philosophical stance that knowledge comes from sensory experience and is measurable.

Social Psychology

The branch of psychology that examines social relationships and the effects of groups on individual behavior.

Intergroup Contact Theory

The idea that increased contact between social groups can improve relations.

Developmental Psychology

The study of age-related changes and their impact on social and emotional development.

Ethical Guidelines

Standards that govern the conduct of psychological research to ensure the welfare of participants.

Ontology

The philosophy of reality, dealing with what exists.

Epistemology

The philosophy of knowledge, exploring how we know what we know.

Theory of Evolution

A scientific framework that provides understanding of mental abilities in relation to adaptations.