PSYC 101- Chapter 1

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Science

The use of systematic methods to observe the natural world and draw conclusions

Behavior

Everything we do that can be directly observed

Mental Processes

Thoughts, feelings, and motives expressed privately, cannot be observed directly

Scientific Approach

Assumptions tested, solved through objective evidence

The 4 attitudes of a scientific approach

Critical thinking, skepticism, objectivity, curiosity

Critical thinking

The process of reflecting deeply and actively, asking questions, and evaluating evidence

Pseudoscience

The information in scientific terminology, but not supported by evidence

Empirical Method

Gaining knowledge through observation of events, collection of data, and logical reasoning

Positive Psychology

Emphasizes human strengths

Philosophy

The rational investigation of underlying principles of being and knowledge, explanation of events in natural terms instead of supernatural terms

William Wundt

Founded first psychology laboratory (1879), focused on discovering basic elements and structures of mental processes

Structuralism

Wundt’s approach to discovering the basic elements of mental processes, focuses on identifying structures of the human mind

Functionalism

William Jame’s approach to mental processes, emphasizing functions and purposes of the mind and behavior in the individual’s adaptation to the environment

Natural Selection

Dawin’s principle of an evolutionary process, organisms that are better adapted to their environment will survive and produce more offspring

Biological Approach

The approach focused on the body, especially the brain and nervous system

Neuroscience

The scientific study of the structure, function, development, genetics, and biochemistry of the nervous system, emphasizes that the brain and nervous system are central to understanding behavior, thought, and emotion

Behavioral Approach

The approach focusing on the scientific study of observable behavioral responses and their environmental determinants. Notable people: Skinner, Watson

Psychodynamic Approach

The approach that focuses on the unconscious thought, conflict between biological drives, society’s demands, and early childhood family experiences. Notable people: Freud

Psychoanalysis

The process of unlocking a person’s unconscious conflicts by talking about early childhood experiences

Humanistic Approach

The approach that emphasizes a person’s positive qualities, capacity for positive growth, and freedom to choose one’s destiny. Notable people: Maslow, Rogers

Cognitive Approach

The approach that emphasizes mental processes involved in knowing how we direct attention, perceive, remember, think, and problem solve. Also mentions information processing and consciousness.

Consciousness

The experience representing inner, mental life

Evolutionary Approach

The approach that emphasizes evolutionary ideas (adaptation, reproduction, natural selection, etc.) as a basis for explaining specific human behaviors. Notable people: Buss

Sociocultural Approach

The approach that examines how social and cultural environments influence behavior

Psychologist vs Psychiatrist

(PhD)/doctoral vs (MD) physician

Physiological/Neuroscience (Behavioral)

Area of specialization that highlights physical processes that underlie mental operations such as thinking and memory

Sensation/Perception

The area of specialization that highlights physical systems and psychological processes that allow people to experience the world

Learning

The area of specialization that highlights behavior changes in response to changing circumstances, addressed from behavioral and cognitive perspectives

Cognitive

The area of specialization that examines attention, consciousness, information processing, and memory. Also includes abilities such as problem solving, decision making, and intelligence.

Developmental

The area of specialization that highlights how people become who they are throughout their lifespan

Motivation/Emotion

The area of specialization that highlights aspects of experience

Motivation

How people persist to attain a goal and rewards affecting their drive

Emotion

The physiological brain processes that underlie experience and role of expression in health

Women/Genders

The area of specialization that highlights the psychological, social, and cultural influences on women’s development and behavior. Also highlights gender and gender identity

Personality

The area of specialization that highlights individual characteristics such as traits, goals, motives, genetics, and wellbeing.

Social

The area of specialization that highlights interactions with one another, realtionships, perception, cognition, and attitudes

Industrial/Organizational

The area of specialization that highlights the workplace. Includes things like personal matters, human resource management, social influences in organizations and leadership.

Clinical/Counseling

The area of specialization that highlights diagnosing and treating people with psychologicla problems

Psychopathology

The scientific study of psychological disorders, development of diagnostic categories and treatment for disorders

Health

The area of specialization that emphasizes psychological factors, lifestyle and the nature of the healthcare delivery system

Community

The area of specialization that highlights improving the quality of relationships among individuals, their community, and society at large. Also focuses of providing accessible care for those with psychological disorders by pinpointing needs, providing resources, and access to available resources

School/Educational

The area of specialization that highlights children’s learning and adjustment in school

Environmental

The area of specialization that highlights interactions between people and their physical environment. Mentions effects of physical settings and climate crises

Forensic

The area of specialization that highlights the psychological concepts in the legal system

Sport

The area of specialization that highlights applying psychology principles to improve sport performance and enjoy sport participation

Cross-Cultural

The area of specialization that highlights cultural influences on behavior, thought, and emotion. Compares psychological processes in different cultures

Nature

Genetic heritage

Nurture

Social experience