Empiricism
the view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should, therefore, rely on observation and experimentation
Structuralism (Wundt)
The early school of thought promoted by Wundt and Titchener; used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind.
Functionalism (William James)
A school of psychology that focused on how our mental and behavioral processes function - how they enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish.
Experimental Psychologists
The study of behavior and thinking using the experimental method
behavioral psychologists
Focus on the learning of associations through classical conditioning (Pavlov) and operant conditioning (Skinner).
humanistic psychologists
Carl Rogers, Abraham MaslowDescription: People develop their personalities by trying to reach their full potential Strengths: model was built in a therapy settingWeaknesses: concepts are vague and subjective, individualistic and western based, and naive because it fails to appreciate the reality of our capacity for evil
cognitive neuroscience
The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language).
Psychology
the scientific study of behavior and mental processes
nature-nurture issue
The longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors. Today's science sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of nature and nurture.
natural selection
The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.
levels of analysis
The differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural, for analyzing any given phenomenon.
biopsychosocial approach
An integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.
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 (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes.
Cognitive Psychology
The scientific study of all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating.
Evolutionary Psychology
The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.
Psychodynamic Psychology
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Social-Cultural Psychology
The study of how situations and cultures affect our behavior and thinking.
Psychometrics
The scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes, and traits.
Basic Research
Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base.
Developmental Psychologists
A branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span.
Educational Psychologists
The study of how psychological processes affect and can enhance teaching and learning.
Personality Psychologists
The study of an individual's characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting.
Social Psychologists
The scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another.
Applied research
The scientific study that aims to solve practical problems.
Industrial-organizational (I/O) Psychology
The application of psychological concepts and methods to optimizing human behavior in workplaces.
Human Factors Psychology
An I/O psychology subfield that explores how people and machines interact and how machines and physical environments can be made safe and easy to use.
Counseling Psychology
A branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often related to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being.
Clinical Psychology
A branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders
Psychiatry
A branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who sometimes provide medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychological therapy.
Positive Psychology
The scientific study of human functioning, with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities to thrive.
Community Psychology
A branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups.
Counseling Psychology
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