Psychology Today – Lecture 14

Vocabulary flashcards covering the major concepts, perspectives, and future directions discussed in Lecture 14 of Psychology Today.

Cognitive Psychology

A contemporary perspective focusing on internal mental processes such as memory, perception, language, problem-solving, and decision-making, greatly influenced by computer science and AI.

Neuroscience and Biopsychology

The study of how the brain and nervous system influence behavior and mental processes, using tools like fMRI, EEG, and other neuroimaging methods.

Evolutionary Psychology

An approach applying Darwinian principles to explain how adaptive traits have shaped human cognition, emotion, and social behavior.

Behavioral Approach

Modern behaviorism emphasizing observable behavior, rooted in Skinner’s work and often paired with cognition in therapy settings.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A treatment method combining behavioral techniques with cognitive restructuring of beliefs and attitudes to modify dysfunctional behavior.

Humanistic Psychology

A perspective that stresses free will, personal growth, and human potential, emerging as a reaction against determinism.

Positive Psychology

A branch of psychology, championed by Martin Seligman, that studies happiness, well-being, and personal strengths rather than mental disorders.

Psychoanalysis

Freud’s original theory and therapeutic method emphasizing unconscious conflicts, childhood experiences, and dream analysis.

Psychodynamic Approaches

Modern therapies derived from psychoanalysis that focus on interpersonal relationships and unconscious processes but with updated techniques.

Biopsychosocial Model

An integrative framework positing that biological, psychological, and social factors all interact to influence health and behavior.

Eclectic Therapy

A clinical approach that intentionally combines techniques from multiple theoretical perspectives to fit client needs.

Cognitive Neuroscience

An interdisciplinary field linking cognitive psychology with neuroscience to study the neural basis of mental processes.

Cultural Psychology

The study of how cultural practices and values shape and are shaped by psychological processes.

Cross-Cultural Research

Comparative studies that examine psychological phenomena across different cultural groups to identify universal versus culture-specific patterns.

Diversity in Psychology

The commitment to include varied sociocultural backgrounds in psychological theory, research, and practice to enhance relevance and equity.

Interdisciplinary Trend

The movement in modern psychology to collaborate with other fields such as genetics, AI, and environmental science for holistic understanding.

Genetics in Psychology

The incorporation of genetic methods and data to explore hereditary influences on behavior and mental processes.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

A technological field increasingly used in psychology for modeling cognition, analyzing big data, and developing intelligent therapeutic tools.

Environmental Science and Psychology

The investigation of how physical surroundings, climate, and ecological factors interact with human behavior and mental health.

Consciousness Research

Ongoing scientific exploration into the nature, origins, and neural correlates of subjective experience and awareness.

Identity Studies

Psychological research into how individuals develop and maintain a sense of self, including personal, social, and cultural facets.