Psychology
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Scientific Observation
an empirical investigation structured to answer questions about the world in a systematic and inter-subjective fashion(observations can be reliably confirmed by multiple observers)
Research Method
a systematic approach to answering scientific questions
Description
in scientific research, the process of naming and classifying
Animal Model
in research, an animal whose behavior is used to derive principles that may apply to human behavior
Understanding
in psychology, understanding is achieved when teh causes of a behavior can be stated.
Prediction
an ability to accurately forecast behavior
Control
altering conditions that influence behavior
Critical Thinking
ability to reflect on, evaluate, analyze, critique, and synthesize information
Pseudo-psychology
any false and unscientific system of beliefs and practices that is offered an an explanation of behavior
Uncritical Acceptance
tendency to believe generally positive or flattering descriptions of oneself
Fallacy of Positive Instances
the tendency to remember or notice information that fits one's expectations, while forgetting discrepancies
Barnum Effect
the tendency to consider a personal description accurate if it is stated in very general terms
Scientific Method(6 elements)
Acryonym: Mom doesn't Play Guitar Past Ten
1. Making observations
2. Defining a problem
3. Proposing a hypothesis
4. Gathering evidence/testing the hypothesis
5. Publishing Results
6. Theory Building
Scientific Method
a form of critical thinking based on careful measurement and controlled observation
Hypothesis
predicted outcome of an experiment or an educated guess about the relationship between variables
Operational Definition
defining a scientific concept by stating the specific actions or procedures used to measure it, for example "hunger might be defined as "the number of hours of food deprivation
Theory
system of ideas designed to interrelate concepts and facts in a way that summarizes existing data and predicts future observations
Stimulus
any physical energy sensed by an organism
introspection
to look within, to examine one's own thoughts, feelings or sensations
Structuralism
The school of thought concerned with analyzing sensations and personal experience into basic elements
Functionalism
school of psychology concerned with how behavior and mental abilities help people adapt to their environments
Natural Selection
Darwin's theory that evolution favors those plants and animals best suited to their living conditions
Behaviorism
School of psychology emphasizing the study of thinking, learning, and perception in whole units, not by analysis into parts.
Responses
any muscular action, glandular activity, or other identifiable aspect of behavior
Gestalt Psychology
school of Psychology emphasizing the study of thinking, learning and perception in whole units, not by analysis into parts.
Unconscious
contents of the mind that are beyond awareness, especially impulses and desires not directly known to a person
Psychoanalysis
Freudian approach to psychotherapy emphasizing the exploration of unconscious conflicts
Psychodynamic Theory
any theory of behavior that emphasizes internal conflicts, motives, and unconscious forces
Humanism
an approach to psychology that focuses on human experiences, problems, potentials, and ideals
Determinism
idea that all behavior has prior causes that would completely explain ones choices and actions if all such causes were known
Free will
idea that human beings are capable of freely making choices or decisions
self actualization
ongoing process of fully developing one's personal potential
cultural relativity
idea that behavior must be judged relative to the values of the culture in which it occurs
Social norms
rules that define acceptable and expected behavior for members of a group