Introduction to Psychology and Modern Perspectives

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definition of psychology, modern perspectives, and scenario practice terms from Episode 1.

Psychology

The science/study of behavior and mental processes, including everything a human or animal does or thinks that is observable.

Psychodynamic Perspective

A psychological perspective focused on the unconscious mind and early childhood, featuring key concepts like unconscious drives, repression, and past conflicts; key thinker is Sigmund Freud.

Behavioral Perspective

A psychological perspective focused on observable behaviors learned from the environment, featuring key concepts like classical and operant conditioning, reinforcement, and punishment; key thinkers are B.F. Skinner and John B. Watson.

Humanistic Perspective

A psychological perspective focused on human potential, self-actualization, and free will, featuring key concepts like the Hierarchy of Needs, Person-Centered Therapy, and choice; key thinkers are Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.

Cognitive Perspective

A psychological perspective focused on mental processes such as thinking, knowing, and remembering, featuring key concepts like information processing, memory, problem-solving, and beliefs; key thinkers are Jean Piaget and Beck.

Biological Perspective

A psychological perspective focused on physical, biological, and genetic bases of behavior, featuring key concepts like neuroscience, brain structure, neurotransmitters, and hormones; key thinkers include Roger Sperry and Paul Broca.

Evolutionary Perspective

A psychological perspective focused on natural selection and adaptation of traits, featuring key concepts like survival of the fittest, evolutionary heritage, and reproduction; key thinker is Charles Darwin.

Sociocultural Perspective

A psychological perspective focused on the influence of culture, society, and social context, featuring key concepts like cultural norms, social identity, and collectivism vs. individualism; key thinkers are Lev Vygotsky and Albert Bandura.

Cultural Norms

Understood rules for expected and accepted behavior.

Circumstances

External impacts on behavior, such as setting, pressure, and the presence of others.

Confirmation Bias

Tendency to search for information that supports our beliefs and ignore contradictory information.

Hindsight Bias

Tendency to believe (after learning the outcome) that one would have seen it coming.

Overconfidence

Tendency to be more confident than correct.