Unit 1 Vocabulary: Scientific Foundations of Psychology

Introspection

A method of self-observation in which individuals report their thoughts and feelings, often used in early psychological studies to explore conscious experience.

structuralism

Theory that emphasizes analyzing components of conscious thought to determine its structure

functionalism

Theory that emphasizes the functions of the mind and how consciousness helped people adapt to their environment

psychoanalytic theory

A theory developed by Sigmund Freud that emphasizes the influence of the unconscious mind on behavior and the importance of childhood experiences in shaping personality.

behaviorism

A psychological approach that focuses on observable behaviors and the ways they're learned through interaction with the environment.

humanist perspective

A psychological approach that emphasizes personal growth, self-actualization, and the inherent goodness of people, focusing on individual potential. “feel good” approach

neuroscience perspective/biopsychology

A branch of psychology that studies the relationship between the brain, nervous system, and behavior, emphasizing how biological processes influence thoughts and actions.

evolutionary perspective

A psychological approach that examines how evolutionary principles such as natural selection influence behavior and mental processes, focusing on human ancestry and passed on genetics

behavioral perspective

A psychological approach that focuses on observable behaviors and the ways they're learned through interactions with the environment, emphasizing the role of conditioning and reinforcement.

gestalt psychology

A school of thought in psychology that emphasizes the idea that the whole of human experience is greater than the sum of its parts, focusing on perception and how we organize sensory information.

cognitive perspective

A psychological approach that studies mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving, emphasizing how people understand and interact with the world.

social-cultural perspective

A psychological approach that examines how social and cultural factors influence behavior, thoughts, and emotions, highlighting the impact of societal norms and values on individual psychology and interactions between people

applied research

Research that aims to solve practical problems and improve human conditions by applying psychological principles.

basic research

Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base

William Wundt

The founder of modern psychology, known for establishing the first psychology laboratory in 1879 and for his work on introspection and structuralism.

William James

An influential psychologist and philosopher, known for his contributions to functionalism and the study of consciousness and first psychology textbook

Mary Whiton Calkins

A pioneering psychologist who established the first psychological laboratory in a women's college and contributed to the study of memory and self-psychology. Student of William James, Harvard denied psychology degree and offered one from Radcliff but declined and first female APA president

Margaret Floy Washburn

The first woman to earn a Ph.D. in psychology and second female APA president

G. Stanley Hall

An American psychologist who was the first president of the American Psychological Association and is known for his work in developmental psychology and child study and opened first psychology lab in the US

Max Wertheimer

A key figure in Gestalt psychology, known for his work on perception and the principles of organization in visual perception.

Sigmund Freud

The founder of psychoanalysis, a therapeutic approach that emphasizes the influence of the unconscious mind on behavior and thoughts.

John B. Watson

An American psychologist who established behaviorism, emphasizing the study of observable behavior and rejecting introspection as a method of psychological research.

Ivan Pavlov

A Russian physiologist best known for his research on classical conditioning, demonstrating how a neutral stimulus can elicit a conditioned response through association. Focus on behaviorism and objective science with Watson and Skinner

B.F. Skinner

An American psychologist known for his work in behaviorism, particularly the development of operant conditioning, which explores how consequences shape behavior.

Abraham Maslow

Best known for creating Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and focus on humanist perspectives for growth and potential of individuals, with self-actualization

Carl Rodgers

A humanistic psychologist with the focus of growth and potential of individuals, highlighting free-will and self-concept

Jean Piaget

A Swiss psychologist focused on developmental psychology and the stages of cognitive development in children, emphasizing how they acquire knowledge

hindsight bias

the tendency to believe that one would have predicted an event after it has occurred

confirmation bias

the tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one’s preexisting beliefs or hypothesis

overconfidence

the tendency to overestimate one’s own abilities or knowledge, often leading to errors in judgment

critical thinking

examines assumptions, assesses the source, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions