AP Psych Unit 1 | AP Exam Review

Empiricism

The view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should, therefore, rely on observation and experimentations.

Structuralism

Early school of thought promoted by Wudnt and Titchener; Used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind.

Empiricism

The view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should, therefore, rely on observation and experimentations.

Structuralism

Early school of thought promoted by Wudnt and Titchener; Used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind.

Functionalism

Early school of thought promoted by James and influenced by Darwin; explored how mental and behavioral processes function — How they enable the organism to adapt, survive, and flourish.

Experimental Psychology

The study of behavior and thinking using the experimental method.

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).

Humanistic Psychology

A historically significant perspective that emphasized the growth potential of healthy people.

Cognitive Neuroscience

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

Psychology

The science of behavior and mental processes

Nature-Nurture Issue

The longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience to make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors.

• Today’s science sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of nature and nurture

Natural Selection

The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.

Levels of Analysis

The differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon.

Biopsychosocial Approach

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

Behavioral Psychology

The scientific study of observable behavior, and its explanation by principles of learning

Biological Psychology

The scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes.

• Some biological psychologists call themselves behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavior geneticists, physiological psychologists, or biopsychologists

Cognitive Psychology

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

Evolutionary Psychology

The study of the evolution of behaviors and mind, using principles of natural selection.

Psychodynamic Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior, and uses that information to treat people with psychological disorders.

Social-Cultural Psychology

The study of how situation and cultures affect our behavior and thinking

Psychometrics

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

Basic Research

Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base

Developmental Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span

Educational Psychology

The study of how psychological processes affect and can enhance teaching and learning

Personality Psychology

The study of an individual’s characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting

Social Psychology

The scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another

Applied Research

Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems

Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology

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

Human Factors Psychology

An I/O psychology that explores how people and machines interact and how machines and physical environments can be made safe and easy to use

Counseling Psychology

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

Clinical Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders

Psychiatry

A branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who sometimes provide medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychological therapy

Positive Psychology

The scientific study of human functioning, with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities to thrive

Community Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups

Testing Effect

Enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading, information.

• Also sometimes referred to as a retrieval practice effect of test-enhanced learning

SQ3R

A study method incorporating five steps: Survery, Question, Read, Retrieve, Review

Wilhelm Wundt

A German psychologist, philosopher, & professor, known today as one of the fathers of modern psychology

• He distinguished psychology as a science form philosophy and biology, and was the first person to ever call himself a psychologist

William James

An American philosopher, psychologist, and the first educator to offer a psychology course in the US

• Considered to be a leading thinker of the late 19th century, one of the most influential philosophers of the US

Mary Whiton Calkins

An American philosopher and psychologist, whose work informed theory and research of memory, dreams, and the self

• She was the first female APA president

Margaret Floy Washburn

A leading American psychologist in the early 20th century that was best known for her experiment work in animal behavior and motor theory development

• She was the first woman to earn her doctorate in psychology, and was the APA president in 1921

John Watson

An American psychologist who popularized the scientific theory of behaviorism, establishing it as a psychological school

B.F. Skinner

An American psychologist, behaviorist, author, inventor, and social philosopher

• Considered the father of Behaviorism

Carl Rogers

An American psychologist who was one of the founders of humanistic psychology and was known especially for his person-centered psychotherapy

Charles Darwin

Contributed to psychology through his theories of evolution