Unit 0 Ap Psych

Biological Psychology (Biopsych)

The study of the relationship between the brain, nervous system, and behavior, focusing on how biological processes influence emotions, thoughts, and actions.

Psychodynamic Psychology

A perspective in psychology that emphasizes unconscious processes, early life experiences, and internal conflicts, often associated with Sigmund Freud’s theories.

Behavioral Psychology

Focuses on observable behavior and the ways it is learned or conditioned, with an emphasis on reinforcement, punishment, and environmental stimuli.

Humanistic Psychology

A perspective that emphasizes individual potential, self-actualization, and personal growth, focusing on positive human qualities.

Cognitive Psychology

The study of mental processes like perception, memory, thinking, and problem-solving. It looks at how people acquire, store, and process information.

Evolutionary Psychology

Focuses on how evolutionary processes (such as natural selection) influence behavior and mental processes. It examines traits that may have evolved to solve adaptive problems.

Social-Cultural Psychology

Studies how social and cultural factors, like societal norms, values, and group dynamics, influence behavior and mental processes.

Empiricism

The theory that knowledge comes from sensory experience, emphasizing observation and experimentation as the foundation for understanding the world.

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Natural Selection

A key concept in evolutionary theory, proposing that organisms better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on advantageous traits.

Applied Research

Research conducted to solve practical, real-world problems, often with immediate applications in fields like health, business, or education.

Basic Research

Research aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of fundamental principles and theories without a specific application in mind.

Psychometrics

The field of psychology concerned with the measurement of psychological traits, abilities, and attitudes, often through tests and assessments.

Human Factors Psychology

Focuses on the interaction between people and machines or systems, aiming to optimize performance, safety, and usability.

Clinical Psychology

A branch of psychology that focuses on diagnosing and treating mental health disorders, using therapy and other interventions.

Counseling Psychology

Similar to clinical psychology but typically focuses on helping people with life adjustments, career development, and less severe mental health issues.

Psychiatry

A medical field that diagnoses and treats mental health disorders, typically through medication, therapy, and other medical interventions. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs).

20. Description

A goal of psychology which attempts to label and classify behaviors.

21. Determinism

The idea that all behaviors have prior causes that would completely explain one’s choices and actions, if all such causes were known.

22, Free Will

The idea that human beings are capable of freely making choices and decisions.

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24. Introspection

To look within; to examine one’s own thoughts, feelings, or sensations.

25. Prediction

A goal of psych which attempts to accurately forecast behavior.

Understanding

A goal of psych which attempts to state the causes of behavior.

Wilhelm Wundt

Structuralism, Father of Psych, opened the first psychology research lab.

Edward Titchener

Structuralist, used introspection to collect information.

William James

Functionalism, believed it was essential to study and understand the purpose or function of a behavior.

Max Wertheimer

Gestalt Psychology, believed it was important to analyse human experience in whole units.

Charles Darwin

Evolutionary Psych, theory of natural selection, behaviors that aid in species survival will be passed down through genetics.

Sigmund Freud

Psychodynamic Psychology, developed the theory of the unconscious mind and the structure of the psyche (id, ego, superego).

John B. Watson

Behaviorism, believed that behavior is learned through environmental stimuli and should be the focus of psychology (e.g., Little Albert experiment).

Ivan Pavlov

Behaviorism (Classical Conditioning), demonstrated that behavior can be conditioned through association (e.g., dogs salivating to a bell).

B.F. Skinner

Behaviorism (Operant Conditioning), believed that behavior is shaped by reinforcement and punishment; developed the Skinner Box to study operant conditioning.

Abraham Maslow

Humanistic Psychology, created the Hierarchy of Needs, focusing on self-actualization as the highest human need.

Carl Rogers

Humanistic Psychology, developed Client-Centered Therapy, emphasizing unconditional positive regard and self-concept for personal growth.