Psychology's History and Approaches & Research Methods

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts, terms, and definitions relevant to the history and approaches of psychology as well as research methods.

Empiricism

The view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should rely on observation and experimentation.

Tabula Rasa

The concept by John Locke that the mind is a 'blank slate' at birth, with knowledge acquired through experience.

Structuralism

An early school of thought in psychology that used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind, associated with Edward Titchener.

Functionalism

A school of thought influenced by Darwin that explored how mental and behavioral processes function and enable adaptation.

Behaviorism

The view that psychology should be an objective science studying behavior without reference to mental processes.

Cognitive neuroscience

The interdisciplinary study linking brain activity with cognitive processes such as perception, thinking, memory, and language.

Nature-nurture issue

The controversy over the contributions of genetics (nature) and experience (nurture) to psychological traits and behavior.

Biopsychosocial approach

An integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.

Hindsight bias

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it; known as the 'I-knew-it-all-along' phenomenon.

Placebo effect

Experimental results caused by expectations alone, where participants' belief in treatment's efficacy contributes to outcomes.

Statistical significance

A statistical statement indicating how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance.

Dependent variable

The outcome factor in an experiment that is measured to see how it is affected by the independent variable.

Operational definition

A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study, allowing for replication.

Cognitive psychology

The branch of psychology that studies mental processes such as perception, thinking, memory, and problem-solving.

Psychometric psychology

The scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes, and traits.