Chapter 1 - Introduction to Psychology: Key Terms (Vocabulary Flashcards)

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, figures, and branches from Chapter 1 of introductory psychology.

Psychology

The scientific study of the mind and behavior.

Structuralism

An early school that analyzed conscious experience by its elements, using introspection; founded by Wilhelm Wundt.

Introspection

A method of examining one's own conscious thoughts and feelings, used to study the components of experience.

Wilhelm Wundt

Founding father of psychology; established the first psychology laboratory and helped develop structuralism.

Functionalism

An early school focused on how mental activities help organisms adapt; led by William James.

William James

First American psychologist; promoted functionalism and the study of mental processes and behavior.

Psychoanalytic theory

Freud’s theory that unconscious processes and early childhood experiences shape behavior.

Sigmund Freud

Founder of psychoanalysis; emphasized the unconscious mind and dream analysis.

Unconscious mind

Part of mental life outside conscious awareness believed to influence behavior.

Dream analysis

Freud’s technique for exploring the unconscious by interpreting dreams.

Gestalt psychology

The view that the whole of perception is more than the sum of its parts.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Gestalt principle describing holistic perception.

Behaviorism

School emphasizing observable behavior and doubting access to the mind as a proper subject of study.

John B. Watson

Founder of behaviorism; argued psychology should study observable behavior.

Classical conditioning

Learning by association between a neutral stimulus and a reflexive response (Pavlov).

Pavlov

Physiologist known for classical conditioning experiments with dogs.

Operant conditioning

Learning through consequences; reinforcement or punishment shapes behavior.

B. F. Skinner

Prominent behaviorist who studied operant conditioning and behavior modification.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs

Motivation theory proposing a tiered progression from basic to self-actualization needs.

Client-centered therapy

Humanistic therapy by Carl Rogers emphasizing acceptance, genuineness, and empathy.

Carl Rogers

Humanistic psychologist who developed client-centered therapy.

Unconditional positive regard

Consistent acceptance and support from a therapist, regardless of client feelings or actions.

Noam Chomsky

Linguist who helped spark the cognitive revolution by highlighting innate language structure.

Multicultural psychology

Study of how culture and environment influence behavior and mental processes.

Francis Cecil Sumner

First African-American to earn a PhD in psychology in the United States.

Margaret Floy Washburn

First woman to receive a PhD in psychology (1894).

Naomi Weisstein

Feminist psychologist who helped catalyze the feminist revolution in psychology (1968).

George I. Sanchez

PhD psychologist of Mexican heritage (1940).

Biopsychology

Branch studying the structure and function of the nervous system.

Sensation and Perception

Study of how physiological and psychological processes interpret sensory information.

Cognitive psychology

Study of mental processes such as thinking, memory, and problem-solving.

Developmental psychology

Study of how people change across the lifespan.

Personality psychology

Study of consistent patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior.

Social psychology

Study of how people influence and relate to one another.

Health psychology

Field examining how biology, psychology, and social factors affect health and illness.

Clinical psychology

Field focused on diagnosing and treating psychological disorders.

Forensic psychology

Application of psychology to legal issues and the justice system.

Industrial-Organizational psychology

Application of psychology to workplace environments and organizational behavior.

Sports and Exercise psychology

Study of performance anxiety, motivation, and physical activity.

Careers in psychology

Potential paths include teaching, research, clinical work, counseling, social work, and corporate roles.