Unit 1:Psychology’s History and Approaches

Modules 1,2,3

Critical Thinking

thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. It examines assumptions, appraise the source, discerns hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and assess conclusion

Empiricism

the idea that knowledge comes from experience, and that observation and experimentation enable scientific knowledge

Structuralism

classify and understand the human mind by introspection

Introspection

the process of looking inward in an attempt to directly observe one’s own psychological processes

Functionalism

promoted by James and influenced by Darwin; explored how mental and behavioral process function - how they enable the organism to adapt survive and flourish.

Behaviorism

the view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without references to mental processes. Most psychologist today agree with (1) and not (2)

Humanistic Psychology

a historically significant perspective that emphasized human growth potential

Cognitive Psychology

the study of mental processes such as occur when we perceive, learn, remember, think , communicate and solve problems.

Cognitive neuroscience

the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition ( including perception, thinking, memory and language.)

Psychology

the science of behavior and mental process

Nature-nurture issue

The long standing controversy over the relatives contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors

Natural selection

the principle that inherited that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment mostly likely be passed on to succeeding generations

Evolutionary Psychology

the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection

Behavior genetics

the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

Culture

the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values and traditions shared by a group of people ad transmitted from one generation to the next

Positive psychology

the scientific study of human flourishing with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities to thrive

Biopsychosocial approach

an integrated approach that incorporates biologicals, psychological and social -cultureviewpoints

Behavioral Psychology

the scientific study of observable behavior, and its explanation by principles of learning

Biological Psychology

the scientific study of the links between biological and psychological process

Psychodynamic Psychology

a branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior and uses that information to treat people with psychological disorders

Social-Culture Psychology

the study of how situations and cultures affect our behavior and thinking

Testing effect

enhanced memory after retrieving, rather than simply rereading information

SQ3R

Survey, Question, Read,

Psychometrics

the scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, and traits

Basic Research

pure scientific study of the measurements of human abilities, and traits

Developmental Psychology

a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the lifespan.

Educational Psychology

the study of how psychological processes affect and can enhance teaching and learning

Personality Psychology

the study of 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

Applied Research

scientific study that aims to solve practical problems

Industrial-organizational (I/O) Psychology

the application of psychological concepts and methods to optimize human behavior in the workplace

Human Factors Psychology

a field of psychology allied with (I/O) psychology that explores how people and machines interact and how machine and physical environments can be made safe and easy to use

Counseling Psychology

a branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living and in achieving great well-being

Clinical Psychology

a branch of psychology that studies, assess and treats people with psychological disorders

Psychiatry

a branch of medicine with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who are licensed to provide medical treatment as well as psychological therapy

Community Psychology

a branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups