AP Psych Unit 1 2022

Psychology

the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context

Behavior

the action or reaction of something under specified circumstances

Structuralism

our conscious is broken into objective sensations and subjunctive feelings, and that our mind works by combining both (Edward Titchener)

Functionalism

consciousness helps people to adapt to their environment, based on Darwinism (William-James)

Psychoanalysis

memories lie in the subconscious and needed to be drawn out using hypnosis (Freud)

Behaviorism

psychology should be limited to observable behavior, and it is unscientific to use behavior to understand the subconscious (John B(ehavioralist) Watson)

Reinforcement

concept introduced into behaviorism giving rewards to control and maintain good behavior (B.F. Skinner)

Gestalt psychology

consciousness can be best understood by observing it as a total experience rather than breaking it down, so the meaning of its parts more than the sum of its parts

Introspection

examining one's own thoughts and feelings, which means to look within

Wilhelm Wundt

established first psychology experimental lab in 1879 to study introspection in a disciplined and controlled environment, said that observations needed to be made by trained observers rather than through our own minds

Sir Francis Bacon

developed the scientific method, modern psychology relies on this, he believed the science should rely on observation and experimentation

Socrates

knowledge is born from within us, first to suggest we learn about our own behavior through introspection

Cognitive psychology

an approach to psychology that emphasizes internal mental processes (Carl Rogers/Abraham Maslow)

Basic research

pure knowledge aimed to increase psychology knowledge base

Biological perspective

behavior and mental processes are largely shaped by the nervous system: brain hormones and genes, so brain might be more active while listening to music than while studying science

Psychoanalytic perspective

our behaviors come by unconscious drives, usually stemming from childhood (heavily debated), think Freud

Sociocultural perspective

focuses on how culture influences the way we think and act, varies by culture (examples are gender, race, and age)

Biological psychologists

explore the link between the physical brain and the mind (basic research)

Developmental psychologists

explore how a person changes throughout their life, from "womb to tomb" (basic research)

Cognitive psychologists

experiment on how we perceive, think, and solve problems (basic research)

Personality psychologists

develop personality tests, investigate traits that explain behavior/decisions, study persistent traits (basic research)

Social psychologists

explore how people influence on another, like group behavior or interpersonal interactions

Industrial/Organizational psychologists

study and advise on behavior in the workplace, so like HR, job tests for applicants

Applied research

study that aims to solve practical problems

Counseling psychologists

help people with challenges like jobs and marriage problems

Clinical psychologists

treat mental emotional and behavioral disorders

Pshychiatrist

medical psychologists who can prescribe medication

Environmental psychologist

study the effects of the environment on behavior

Consumer psychologist

study behavior of shoppers to explain and predict behavior

School psychologist

help students with learning problems, also give achievement and intelligence tests

Forensic psychologist

work with the justice system to see if someone is stable enough to see if someone stands trial, deal with suicide/hostage threats, help hire police officers

Health psychologist

study the link between psychology and our physical health

Educational psychologist

studies and helps students AND teachers in school

Evolutionary perspective

goes off of Darwinism, so behavioral and mental processes are adaptive for survival (think WIlliam-James)

Cognitive perspective

ways in which people receive, process, retrieve, and store info, so how we see the world, how we react to different emotionally charged events (happy or sad events)

Humanistic perspective

individual potential for growth and stress individual choice and free will, so people's choices, and how people seek self-actualization (realizing your own needs, what best serves you)

Sociocultural perspective

focuses on how culture influences the way we think and act, varies by culture (examples are gender, race, and age)