Psychology Chapter 1 Key Points

Charles Darwin

Published his theory of evolution in 1859. Suggested that the study of animals could reveal something about humans.

Wilhelm Wundt

Opened the first psychological laboratory in 1879. Inspired others to believe that humans could be studied scientifically.

Sigmund Freud

Developed a personality theory and treated patients from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Suggested that we are influenced by childhood experiences and unconscious forces.

William James

Published a widely used psychology text in 1890. Suggested that humans be studied as complete wholes.

B.F. Skinner

Studied the effects of the environment from the mid 1950s to the 1980s. Emphasized that a scientific psychology should study observable behaviours rather than thoughts.

Carl Rogers

Studied personal growth from the 1950s to the 1980s. Emphasized the positive side of human nature.

Neurobiology

Behavior viewed in terms of biological responses

Behaviorism

Behavior viewed as a product of learned responses. Focuses on observable behavior only.

Humanism

Behavior viewed as a reflection of internal growth

Psychoanalysis

The theory and therapy based on the work of Sigmund Freud, emphasizing the revealing of unconscious conflicts

Cognitive Psychology

Behavior viewed as a product of various internal sentences or thoughts.

Sociocultural Psychology

behavior viewed as strongly influenced by the rules and expectations of specific social groups or cultures

Psychology

the scientific study of behavior and mental processes in animals and humans

Structuralism

early perspective in psychology associated with Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener, in which the focus of study is the structure or basic elements of the mind

Functionalism

Early perspective in psychology associated with William James, in which the focus of study is how the mind allows people to adapt, live, work, and play

Psychodynamic perspective

modern version of psychoanalysis that is more focused on the development of a sense of self and the discovery of other motivations behind a person's behavior than repressed desires

Cognitive perspective

modern perspective that focuses on memory, intelligence, perception, problem solving, and learning

Cognitive neuroscience

study of the physical changes in the brain and nervous system during thinking

Sociocultural perspective

perspective that focuses on the relationship between social behavior and culture

Biopsychological perspective

perspective that attributes human and animal behavior to biological events occurring in the body, such as genetic influences, hormones, and the activity of the nervous system

Evolutionary psychology

perspective that focuses on the biological bases of universal mental characteristics that all humans share

Positive psychology

a viewpoint that recommends shifting the focus of psychology away from the negative aspects to a more positive focus on strengths, well-being, and the pursuit of happiness

Clinical psychology

area of psychology in which the psychologists diagnose and treat people with psychological disorders that may range from mild to severe

Counseling psychology

area of psychology in which the psychologists help people with problems of adjustment

Developmental psychology

area of psychology in which the psychologists study the changes in the way people think, relate to others, and feel as they age

Experimental psychology

area of psychology in which the psychologists primarily do research and experiments in the areas of learning, memory, thinking, perception, motivation, and language

Social psychology

area of psychology in which the psychologist focus on how human behavior is affected by the presence of other people

Personality psychology

area of psychology in which the psychologists study the differences in personality among people

Psysiological Psychology

area of psychology in which the psychologists study the biological bases of behavior

Comparitive psychology

area of psychology in which the psychologists study animals and their behavior for the purpose of comparing and contrasting it to human behavior

industrial/organizational psychology

area of psychology concerned with the relationships between people and their work environment

Introspection

thinking objectively about our own thoughts

Domains

different views, perspectives, or beliefs

Conditioning

a learned reflex response