History and approaches

empiricism

the view that knowledge originates in experience and that science relies on observation and experimentation.

structuralism

an early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the structural elements of the human mind.

functionalism

a school of psychology that focused on how mental and behavioral processes function to help us adapt, survive, and flourish.

behaviorism

the view that psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior without reference to mental processes.

humanistic psychology

a perspective that emphasized the growth potential of healthy people and individual potential for personal growth.

cognitive neuroscience

the interdisciplinary study of brain activity linked with cognition, including perception, thinking, memory, and language.

psychology

the science of behavior and mental processes.

nature-nurture issue

the controversy over the relative contributions of genes and experience to development.

natural selection

the principle that traits aiding survival and reproduction are more likely to be passed on to future generations.

biopsychosocial approach

an integrated approach that considers biological, psychological, and social-cultural factors.

biological psychology

the study of the links between biological processes and psychological processes.

evolutionary psychology

the study of behavior and mental processes using principles of natural selection.

psychodynamic psychology

the study of how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior.

behavioral psychology

the scientific study of observable behavior explained by learning principles.

cognitive psychology

the study of mental processes such as thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating.

social-cultural psychology

the study of how situations and cultures influence behavior and thinking.

psychometrics

the scientific study of measuring human abilities, attitudes, and traits.

basic research

research that aims to increase scientific knowledge.

developmental psychology

the study of physical, cognitive, and social changes across the lifespan.

educational psychology

the study of how psychological processes affect teaching and learning.

personality psychology

the study of patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting.

social psychology

the study of how people think about, influence, and relate to others.

applied research

research aimed at solving practical problems.

industrial-organizational (I/O) psychology

the application of psychology to workplace behavior and productivity.

human factors psychology

the study of how people interact with machines and designing safe, user-friendly systems.

counseling psychology

a branch of psychology that helps people deal with life problems and improve well-being.

clinical psychology

the study, assessment, and treatment of psychological disorders.

psychiatry

a medical field focused on diagnosing and treating psychological disorders.

positive psychology

the study of human strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities thrive.

community psychology

the study of how people interact with social environments and institutions.

critical thinking

thinking that evaluates evidence, questions assumptions, and assesses conclusions.

introspection

the process of examining one's own mental processes.

behavior genetics

the study of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.

culture

the shared behaviors, values, and traditions of a group passed across generations.

testing effect

improved memory after retrieving information rather than rereading it.

SQ3R

a study method: Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, Review.

experimental psychology

the study of behavior and thinking using experimental methods.