Psychology
The science of behavior and mental processes
Behavior
anything an organism does
Mental processes
internal, subjective beliefs we infer from behavior
Wilhelm Wundt
Conducted the first true psychological experiment and established the first psychology laboratory in Lepzig, Germany (1879)
Structuralism
early school of thought promoted by Wundt and Titchener; used introspection to reveal the structure of the human mind
Introspection
looking inward at one's own mental processes and reporting what was experienced
Functionalism
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
Behaviorism
The view that psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior without reference to mental processes
Humanism
perspective that emphasized the growth potential of healthy people and the individual's potential for personal growth
Cognitive Neuroscience
interdisciplinary study of the brain linked with cognition
Nature-Nurture Issue
Whether traits are determined by genes or environmental influences
Levels of Analysis
the differing complementary views from biological to psychological to social-cultural for analyzing any given phenomenon
Biopsychosocial Approach
integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis
Biological Influences
Natural Selection of biological traits, genetic predisposition, hormonal influences
Psychological Influences
learned fears, emotional responses, cognitive processing
Social-cultural influence
presence of others, peer influences; societal, cultural, and familial expectations
Cognitive Perspective
A psychological approach that emphasizes mental processes in perception, memory, language, problem solving, and other areas of behavior
Social-Cultural Perspective
the study of how people, environments, and cultures affect our behavior and thinking
Behavioral Genetics Approach
How much our genes and our environment influence our individual differences (uses twin and adoption studies to measure if nature or nurture is more important for particular traits)
Neuroscience Perspective
the approach that views behavior from the perspective of the brain, the nervous system, and other biological functions. How the body (e.g. hormones, neurotransmitters) and brain enable emotions, memories, and sensory experiences.
Psychodynamic Perspective
An approach to psychology emphasizing unconscious thought, the conflict between biological drives (such as the drive for sex) and society's demands, and early childhood family experiences, and how these contribute to personality
Behaviorist Perspective
the psychological perspective primarily concerned with observable behavior that can be objectively recorded and with the relationships of observable behavior to environmental stimuli
Evolutionary Perspective
perspective that focuses on the biological bases of universal mental characteristics that all humans share
Applied
Applying psychological research to address personal and societal problems
Clinical Psychology
Branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders
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
Educational Psychology
the study of how students learn, learning disabilities (identification of disorders and treatments), the effectiveness of particular teaching techniques, the social psychology of schools, and the psychology of teaching
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Psychologists who study ways to improve efficiency, productivity, and satisfaction among workers and the organizations that employ them and then apply what they have learned in the workplace.
Community Psychology
a branch of psychology that focuses on the prevention and minimization of psychological disorders in the area, how people interact with their social environments and how social institutions affect individuals and groups, as well as how to get resources to
Psychiatry
branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who sometimes provide medical treatments (drugs) as well as psychological therapy
Basic Research
pure science that aims to increase scientific knowledge
Biological Psychology
a branch of psychology that studies the links between biological (e.g. genes, brain, neurotransmitters, hormones) and psychological processes
Developmental Psychology
a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span (womb to tomb)
Cognitive Psychology
the scientific study of all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating
Personality Psychology
the study of an individual's characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting (study of individual differences)
Social Psychology
the scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another (e.g. romantic relationships, intergroup relations, helping)
Positive Psychology
the scientific study of optimal human functioning; aims to discover and promote strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive