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AP Psychology History & Approaches Flashcards

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5819947991empiricism/empirical methodsInformation is collected by objective observations and experimentation using the scientific method.0
5819947992structuralismAn early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the elemental structure of the human mind (WUNDT, TITCHENER).1
5819947993functionalismA school of psychology that focused on how our mental and behavioral processes function - how they enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish (JAMES).2
5819947994behaviorism/behavioral perspectiveA theoretical orientation based on the premise that scientific psychology should study only observable behavior (LEARNING, REWARDS, PUNISHERS)3
5819947995humanistic perspectivePerspective that emphasizes the growth potential of healthy people and the individual's potential for personal growth (NEEDS, SELF-ACTUALIZATION)4
5819947996biological/biopsychological perspectiveLooking at the physical and genetic determines of behavior (BRAIN, BODY, GENES, HORMONES)5
5819947997psychologyScientific study of behavior and mental processes6
5819947998nature-nurture issueThe longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors7
5819947999Survival of the Fittest (Natural Selection)Process by which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully (related to evolutionary approach)8
5819948000biopsychosocial approachAn integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis (ECLECTIC)9
5819948001evolutionary perspectiveA relatively new specialty in psychology that sees behavior and mental processes in terms of their genetic adaptations for survival and reproduction (SURVIVAL VALUE, OFFSPRING)10
5819948002psychodynamic/psychoanalytic perspectiveA branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior, and uses that information to treat people with psychological disorders (UNCONSCIOUS, CHILDHOOD)11
5819948003cognitive perspectivean approach to psychology that emphasizes internal mental processes (THINKING!)12
5819948004social-cultural perspectivethe study of how situations and cultures affect our behavior and thinking (SOCIETY, CULTURE, GROUPS)13
5819948005psychometricsthe scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes, and traits14
5819948006basic researchPure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base.15
5819948007developmental psychologyA branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span16
5819948008educational psychologythe study of how psychological processes affect and can enhance teaching and learning17
5819948009personality psychologythe study of an individual's characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling and acting18
5819948010social psychologyThe scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another19
5819948011applied psychologyThe branch of psychology concerned with everyday, practical problems, e.g., a psychologist who works directly with a client with problems is considered an applied psychologist20
5819948012industrial-organizational psychologyapplication of psychological concepts and methods to optimizing human behavior in workplaces (HR help, employee incentive programs)21
5819948013human factors psychologyA branch of psychology that explores how people and machines interact and how machines and physical environments can be made safe and easy to use (psychology + engineering)22
5819948014counseling psychologyA branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often related to school, work, or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being23
5819948015clinical psychologyA branch of psychology that studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders24
5819948016psychiatryA branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders; practiced by physicians who sometimes provide medical/drug treatments as well as psychological therapy. Medical degree M.D.25
5819948017Wilhelm WundtOpened the first psychology lab in 1879 and is known as the father of psychology26
5819948018Mary CalkinsDenied Harvard PhD, but became first female head of American Psychological Association.27
5819948019Margaret Floy WashburnFirst women to get a PhD in psychology.28
5819948020Gestalt psychologyFocuses on how we organize the world around us - perception. We create order out of chaos and make things "whole".29
5819948021Sigmund FreudMost famous psychologist of all time. Developed the psychoanalytic approach. Ideas heavily influenced by Darwin.30
5819948022John LockeNurture. "tabula rasa" - we are born a blank slate.31
5819948023Plato and SocratesKnowledge is inborn/innate (NATURE)32
5819948024AristotleKnowledge comes from experience (NURTURE)33

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