AP Psychology Princeton Review: Foundations: History

Psychology

the study of behavior and the mind

Behavior

a natural process subject to natural laws, refers to the observable actions of a person or an animal

Mind

refers to the sensations, memories, motives, emotions, thoughts, and other subjective phenomena particular to an individual or animal that are not readily observed

Dualism

divides the world and all things in it into two parts: body and spirit, early Greek school of thought

Brain

the command center of the central nervous system

Descartes

believed that physical world and all of the creature in it are like machines, in that they behave in observable, predictable ways except humans since we have minds

Locke

believed that the mind is under the control of natural laws, empiricist, proposed that humans are born knowing nothing (tabula rasa), no knowledge is innate

empiricism

the acquisition of truth through observations and experiences

tabula rasa

John Locke's concept of the mind as a blank sheet ultimately bombarded by sense impressions that, aided by human reasoning, formulate ideas.

Hobbes

believed that the idea of a soul is meaningless, materialist, influenced behaviorism

materialism

belief that the only things that exist are matter and energy

Evolutionary theory

provides a way to explain differences between species and justifies the use of animals as a means to study the roots of human behavior

Wundt

founder of the science of psychology, trained in physiology, opened a laboratory to study consciousness

Titchener

one of the first to bring psychology to the US, structuralist

structuralism

early school of thought promoted by Wundt and Titchener; used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind; thought that understanding all the parts would lead to the greater understanding of the mind

introspection

A method of self-observation in which participants report their thoughts and feelings

William James

founder of functionalism; studied how humans use perception to function in our environment; influenced by Darwin; believed that the important thing is to understand how the mind fulfills its purpose

functionalism

A school of psychology that focused on how our mental and behavioral processes function - how they enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish.

Dorothea Dix

A reformer and pioneer in the movement to treat the insane as mentally ill, beginning in the 1820's, she was responsible for improving conditions in jails, poorhouses and insane asylums throughout the U.S. and Canada. She succeeded in persuading many states to assume responsibility for the care of the mentally ill. She served as the Superintendant of Nurses for the Union Army during the Civil War.

Mary Whiton Calkins

American psychologist who conducted research on memory, personality, and dreams; first woman president of the American Psychological Association

Margaret Floy Washburn

First female to be awarded a PhD in psychology; 2nd president of the APA (1921)

American Psychological Association

scientific and professional society of psychologists and educators; world's largest association of psychologists; founded in 1892; made up of 53 divisions, each representing a specific area

biological psychology

The field of psychology that seeks to understand the interactions between anatomy and physiology (particularly the physiology of the nervous system) and behavior; this approach is practiced by directly applying biological experimentation, e.g using CAT scans, MRIs, EEGs, or PET scans

behavioral genetics perspective

the field of psychology that explores how particular behaviors may be attributed to specific, genetically based psychological characteristics

Behaviorism

the view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2).

John Watson

behaviorism; emphasis on external behaviors of people and their reactions on a given situation; famous for Little Albert study in which baby was taught to fear a white rat

Classical conditioning

a type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events

B.F. Skinner

Behaviorist that developed the theory of operant conditioning by training pigeons and rats

operant conditioning

a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher

Behavior modification

the use of operant conditioning techniques to bring about desired changes in behavior

cognitive psychology

the scientific study of all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating

humanistic approach

An approach to psychology emphasizing a person's positive qualities, the capacity for positive growth, and the freedom to choose any destiny; focuses on role of consciousness, free will, and awareness of the human condition; emphasize personal values and goals

Abraham Maslow

Humanistic psychologist known for his "Hierarchy of Needs" and the concept of "self-actualization"

self-actualization

according to Maslow, one of the ultimate psychological needs that arises after basic physical and psychological needs are met and self-esteem is achieved; the motivation to fulfill one's potential

Carl Rogers

1902-1987; Field: humanistic; Contributions: founded person-centered therapy, theory that emphasizes the unique quality of humans especially their freedom and potential for personal growth, unconditional positive regard, fully functioning person

unconditional positive regard

according to Rogers, an attitude of total acceptance toward another person

Sigmund Freud

Austrian physician whose work focused on the unconscious causes of behavior and personality formation; founded psychoanalysis.

psychoanalytic theory

A theory developed by Freud that attempts to explain personality, motivation, and mental disorders by focusing on unconscious determinants of behavior

Conscious mind

level of the mind that is aware of immediate surroundings and perceptions

Unconscious mind

level of the mind in which thoughts, feelings, memories, and other information are kept that are not easily or voluntarily brought into consciousness

repressed

restrained, inhibited, or oppressed

sociocultural perspective

perspective that focuses on the relationship between social behavior and culture

evolutionary psychology

the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection; behavior can be best explained in terms of how adaptive that behavior is to our survival

biopsychosocial approach

an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis

domains

broad areas of psychological research are also known as this

counseling domain

assists people with problems in living (often related to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being

industrial-organizational psychology

the application of psychological concepts and methods to optimizing human behavior in workplaces

psychometric

the scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes, and traits