History and Approaches of Psychology

A set of Question-and-Answer flashcards covering key concepts, figures, timelines, theories, and approaches from the psychology lecture notes.

What are the main focus areas of Behaviorism?

Study of observable, measurable behavior; learning through the environment via reinforcement or punishment; key figures include John B. Watson and B. F. Skinner.

What does Psychoanalytic (Freudian) psychology emphasize?

The unconscious mind and childhood experiences, including unconscious conflicts and defenses.

What is Humanistic psychology?

A focus on human potential for personal growth, associated with Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.

What is the Cognitive Revolution?

A shift toward studying how the mind processes and retains information—cognition, perception, memory—and the interaction of thinking and emotion; led to Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience.

What is the Biopsychosocial approach?

An integrated view that combines biological, psychological, and social-cultural factors to explain behavior and mental processes.

What are the three components of the Biopsychosocial model?

Biological influences (genes, brain, hormones); Psychological influences (emotional/cognitive processes); Social-cultural influences (presence of others, culture, norms).

What is Evolutionary Psychology?

The study of how evolutionary history has shaped behaviors and how natural selection has prepared humans to adapt to the environment.

What is Behavior Genetics?

The study of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.

What is Cross-Cultural and Gender Psychology?

Culture shapes behavior and thinking; gender notions influence behavior; underlying processes are often similar across cultures.

What are the main theoretical perspectives listed for psychology?

Cognitive, Behavioral/Behaviorist, Evolutionary, Humanism, Social-Cultural, Biological, Psychodynamic.

What is Positive Psychology and who began it?

The scientific study of human flourishing and strengths/virtues; began by Martin Seligman.

What is the BioPsychoSocial approach?

An integrated approach combining biological, psychological, and social-cultural factors to explain behavior and mental processes.

What are the main fields within Applied Psychology?

Industrial/Organizational Psychology; Human Factors Psychology; Forensic Psychology; Sports Psychology.

What are the Helping Professions?

Counseling Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, and Psychiatrist (MD); psychiatrists can prescribe medicine.

What does a Counseling Psychologist do?

Helps people with problems in living and adjusting to life transitions (e.g., divorce, addictions, school).

What does a Clinical Psychologist do?

Studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders; uses various therapies and tests; usually holds a Ph.D.

What is a Psychiatrist?

A medical doctor (MD) who treats psychological disorders and can prescribe medication.

What is the Psychodynamic perspective?

Unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior; Freud is a central figure; often summarized as 'Freud minus sex'.

What are the key components of critical thinking?

Questioning arguments; examining assumptions; appraising sources; discerning hidden biases; evaluating evidence; assessing conclusions.

What does the Nature-Nurture Debate address?

How behavior is shaped by genes, brain chemistry, and brain structure (nature) versus environment and experience (nurture); nurture works on what nature endows.

What does psychology study as a science?

The science of behavior and mental processes.