AP Psychology Unit 1.1 Study Guide

Short and sweet explanation from notes taken by a student who got a 5 on her exam! These notes where taken from CollegeBoard’s videos.

1.1 Introducing Psychology

Early Psychology

Structuralism: Studying the mind by looking at what it's made of. Wilhelm Wundt created the first psychology lab (1879, December). His student, Edward Tichener found the term structuralism.

Functionalism: Studying the mind by what it does or its function. William James, created the first psychology textbook.

Psychodynamic (Psychoanalytic) Approach: Sigmund Freud was a Psychoanalyst.It refers to studying the unconscious mind.

strengths                                        limitations

- can’t be proven wrong                 - not very specific since it studies hidden mind

Behavioralism 

Almost as a reflection to the Psychoanalytic approach. Studies things that can be measured: reflexes and behaviors. Ivan Pavlov started it.

It’s separated into two:

Classical Conditioning (Ivan Pavlov): If a reflex can be associated with any stimulus, then any reflex can be associated with anything.

strengths                                        limitations

-reflexes and triggers can be measured                    -creativity and thoughts can’t be trained.

Operant Conditioning (B.F. Skinner): Every behavior has a consequence. Those consequences might me rewards or punishments.

strengths                                    limitations

-behaviors can be measured     - people are more complex than reward and punishment.

Cognitive Approach

Focuses on thoughts.

strengths                                                 limitations

-flexible theory.                                 -thoughts are impossible to observe and study.

Gestalt Psychology 

Studies the human mind and behavior as a whole.

Biological Approach

According to this approach, mind is what the body does.

strengths                                         limitations

-scientific, measurable                  -too simplistic

Humanistic Approach

How people are unique and special. Optimistic, studies the strengths of each person.

strengths                                                        limitations

-encourages the differences between people, promotes growth.              -not based on science.

Sociocultural Approach

Study related to family, neighborhood, religion, society and culture. Micro cultures.

strengths                             limitations

- measurable                   - difficult to apply these ideas to an individual, leads to stereotyping.