Define Psychology
the scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Goals of Psychology
1. describe information2. explain why people behave the way they do3. predict when behaviors will be displayed4. find ways behavior is influenced
Define hypothesis
An educated guess
Define theory
a complex explanation based on the findings of a large number of studies
William Wundt
father of modern psychology
Define Structuralism
the idea that the mind is broken into different parts that can be studied individually
William James
Father of American Psychology - functionalist
Define Functionalism
the theory that all aspects of a society serve a function and are necessary for the survival of that society.
Define Gestalt Psychology
looks at the human mind and behavior as a whole
Sigmund Freud
pioneered psychoanalytic psychology
Define psychoanalysis
study of the unconscious mind
Ivan Pavlov
behavioral psychology; trained dogs to experiment behavior
John Watson
famous for conditioning process
B.F. Skinner
studied radical behaviorism and influence of behaviorism
Define behaviorism
all behavior was the result of conditioning and training
Abraham Maslow
famous for self actualization theory
Carl Rogers
founder of humanistic psychology
Define humanistic psychology
people are shaped by their enviornment
Jean Peaget
first to make a systematic study of acquisition of understanding Children
Define cognitive psychology
how we process, store, and retrieve information. believe that behavior is influnced
biological psychology
a branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior
Define sociocultural psychology
influence of culture on behavior
6 contemporary perspectives of psychology
1. psychoanalytic perspective2. behavioral perspective 3. humanistic perspective 4. cognitive perspective5. biological perspective 6. sociocultural perspective
main perspectives of psychology
structuralism, functionalism, and gestalt