Questions and Answers
What is empiricism?
The view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should, therefore, rely on observation and experimentation.
What is structuralism?
An early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the elemental structure of the human mind.
What is functionalism?
A school of psychology that focused on how mental and behavioral processes function in enabling adaptation and survival.
What is experimental psychology?
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What is behaviorism?
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What does humanistic psychology emphasize?
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What is cognitive neuroscience?
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What is the definition of psychology?
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What is the nature-nurture issue?
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What is natural selection?
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What are levels of analysis?
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What is the biopsychosocial approach?
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What is behavioral psychology?
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What is biological psychology?
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What does cognitive psychology study?
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What is evolutionary psychology?
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What does psychodynamic psychology focus on?
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What is social-cultural psychology?
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Study Notes
Key Psychological Concepts
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Empiricism: Knowledge originates from experience; emphasizes observation and experimentation in the scientific method.
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Structuralism: An early psychological school led by Wundt and Titchener; relied on introspection to examine the basic elements of the mind.
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Functionalism: Developed by William James, this perspective focuses on mental and behavioral processes and their role in helping individuals adapt and thrive, influenced by Darwin's theory of evolution.
Research and Methods
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Experimental Psychology: Involves studying behavior and mental processes through controlled experiments.
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Behaviorism: Advocates for psychology as an objective science focused solely on observable behaviors, minimizing the role of mental processes.
Psychological Perspectives
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Humanistic Psychology: Highlights the growth potential of healthy individuals and emphasizes personal development.
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Cognitive Neuroscience: Combines neuroscience with cognitive psychology to study the brain's role in processes like perception, memory, and language.
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Psychology: Defined as the science of behavior and mental processes, encompassing a wide range of human experience.
Nature and Nurture
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Nature-Nurture Issue: The long-standing debate regarding the influence of genetics (nature) versus environment and experiences (nurture) on psychological traits and behaviors, with current understanding favoring an interactive approach.
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Natural Selection: Suggests that inherited traits conducive to survival and reproduction are more likely to be passed down through generations.
Analytical Approaches
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Levels of Analysis: Different complementary perspectives for understanding phenomena, incorporating biological, psychological, and social-cultural factors.
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Biopsychosocial Approach: Integrative framework that combines biological, psychological, and social-cultural analyses for a holistic understanding of behavior.
Branches of Psychology
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Behavioral Psychology: Focuses on observable behaviors and how they are learned through principles such as conditioning.
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Biological Psychology: Investigates the connections between biological factors (like genetics and neural processes) and psychological functioning.
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Cognitive Psychology: Explores mental activities related to thinking, memory, and communication.
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Evolutionary Psychology: Examines behavior and mental processes through the lens of evolutionary theory and natural selection.
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Psychodynamic Psychology: Investigates the influence of unconscious drives and conflicts on behavior, commonly applied in therapeutic settings.
Social Influence
- Social-Cultural Psychology: Studies the impact of cultural contexts and situational factors on behavior and thought processes.
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Description
Test your knowledge of key concepts in AP Psychology with these flashcards covering Unit 1. Explore foundational theories such as empiricism, structuralism, and functionalism that shape our understanding of human behavior and thought. Perfect for exam preparation or as a study aid.
