critical thinking
thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions
empiricism
the idea that knowledge comes from experience
Structuralism
Wundt and Titchener used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind
introspection
the process of looking inward in an attempt to directly observe ones own psychological processes
behaviorism
the view that psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior without reference to mental processes
functionalism
an early school of thought promoted by James and influenced by Darwin; explored how mental and behavioral processes function- how they enable the organism to adapt, survive and flourish
humanistic psychology
a historically significant perspective that emphasized human growth potential
cognitive psychology
the study of mental processes (perceiving, learning, remembering, etc)
cognitive neuroscience
the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (perception, thinking, memory)
psychology
the science of behavior and mental processes
nature-nurture issue
controversy over relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors
natural selection
the principle that inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will be passed on
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 and transmitted from one generation to the next
positive psychology
the scientific study of human flourishing with goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals
biopsychosocial approach
an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural viewpoints
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, hormonal) and psychological processes
psychodynamic psychology
a branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior and uses that to treat people with disorders
social-cultural 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
a study method incorporating five steps: survey, question, read, retrieve, review
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 psychology
a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span
personality psychology
the study of individuals characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and acting
educational psychology
the study of psychological processes affect and can enhance teaching and learning
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 psychology
the application of psychological concepts and methods to optimizing human behavior in workplaces
human factors psychology
a field of psychology allied with industrial-organizational psychology that explores how people and machines interact and safety
counseling psychology
a brand of psychology that assists people with problems in living 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
community psychology
a branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect people
Wilhelm Wundt
(1832-1920) established the first psychology lab at university of Leipzig, Germany
G. Stanley Hall
Established the first formal U.S. psychology laboratory at Johns Hopkins University
Edward Bradford Titchener
(1867-1927) Used introspection to search for the minds structural elements
William James
legendary teacher-writer who authored an important 1890 psychology text
Charles Darwin
argued that natural selection shapes behaviors as well as bodies
Mary Whiton Calkins
Mentored by William James pioneering memory researcher and first woman to be president of the American Psychological Association
Margaret Floy Washburn
(1871-1930) The first woman to receive a psychology Ph.D synthesized animal behavior research in The Animal Mind (1908)
John B. Watson
(1878-1958) Championed psychology as the scientific study of behavior
B.F. Skinner
(1904-1990) This leading behaviorist rejected introspection and studied how consequences shape behavior
Sigmund Freud
The controversial ideas of this famed personality theorist and therapist have influenced humanity's self-understanding
Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow
humanistic psychologists who focused on our potential growth instead of conditioned responses or childhood memories
Ivan Pavlov
pioneered the study of learning, Russian physiologist
Jean Piaget
the last century's most influential observer of children, Swiss biologist
Dorothea Dix
led the way to humane treatment of those with psychological disorders