Psych terms

Empiricism

The view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should rely on observation and experimentation.

Structuralism

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

Edward Titchener

Introduced the school of structuralism in psychology.

Introspection

The process of looking inward to examine one's own thoughts and feelings.

Subjective

Existing in the mind; personal emotions, beliefs, feelings, etc.

Objective

Intending to complete a goal; applicable to everyone.

Functionalism

A school of psychology focusing on how mental and behavioral processes function to enable adaptation, survival, and flourishing; introduced by William James.

Experimental psychology

The study of behavior and thinking using the experimental method.

Behaviorism

The view that psychology should be an objective science studying behavior without reference to mental processes.

Humanistic psychology

A perspective emphasizing the growth potential of healthy individuals and 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; established by Wilhelm Wundt in Leipzig, Germany.

Nature-Nurture issue

The controversy over the contributions of genes (nature) and experience (nurture) to psychological traits and behaviors.

Natural Selection

The principle that inherited traits contributing to reproduction and survival are more likely to be passed on; proposed by Charles Darwin.

Psychometrics

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

Applied research

Scientific study aimed at solving practical problems.

Basic research

Pure science aimed at increasing the scientific knowledge base.

Developmental psychology

The scientific study of physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the lifespan.

Educational psychology

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

Personality psychology

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

Social psychology

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

Industrial-Organizational psychology

The application of psychological concepts to optimize human behavior in workplaces.

Human factors psychology

The study of how people and machines interact and the design of safe, user-friendly machines and environments.

Counseling psychology

A branch of psychology assisting people with problems in living and achieving greater well-being.

Clinical psychology

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

Psychiatry

A branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders, often providing medical treatments and therapy.

Levels of Analysis

Differing perspectives (biological, psychological, social-cultural) for analyzing phenomena.

Biopsychosocial approach

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

Socrates and Plato

Philosophers who believed the mind is separable from the body and that knowledge is innate.

Aristotle

Philosopher who derived principles from observations; believed knowledge grows from experiences.

Rene Descartes

Philosopher who agreed with Socrates and Plato on innate ideas and the mind's distinction from the body.

William Wundt

Established the first psychology lab in Germany.

Edward Titchener

Introduced structuralism using introspection to explore the mind's structural elements.

William James

Introduced functionalism, considering the functions of thoughts and feelings; authored "Principles of Psychology."

Mary Calkins

First female president of the American Psychological Association and pioneering memory researcher.

Margaret Floy Washburn

First woman to receive a Ph.D. in Psychology; studied animal behavior.

Max Wertheimer

Developed the Gestalt perspective in psychology.