Overview of Psychology Concepts

Definition: The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Subfields: Includes clinical, cognitive, developmental, social, and biological psychology.

Behavior: Observable actions or responses of an individual.
Mental Processes: Internal experiences such as thoughts, emotions, and beliefs.

Behaviorism: Focuses on observable behaviors; emphasizes the role of environmental factors.
Cognitive Psychology: Explores internal mental processes like perception, memory, and problem-solving.
Psychoanalysis: Developed by Freud; centers on unconscious motivations and childhood experiences.
Humanistic Psychology: Stresses personal growth and the concept of self-actualization.
Biopsychology: Examines the influence of biology on behavior and mental processes.

Experiments: Controlled studies to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
Observational Studies: Non-intrusive methods to gather data about behavior in natural settings.
Surveys: Questionnaires that assess attitudes, opinions, or behaviors of participants.
Case Studies: In-depth analysis of individuals or groups to explore unique psychological phenomena.

Sigmund Freud: Pioneer of psychoanalysis; introduced concepts of the unconscious mind.
B.F. Skinner: Key figure in behaviorism; known for operant conditioning.
Carl Rogers: Major proponent of humanistic psychology; emphasized empathy and unconditional positive regard.
Jean Piaget: Known for theories on cognitive development in children.

Clinical Psychology: Diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
Educational Psychology: Focuses on how people learn and the best practices for teaching.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology: Studies behavior in workplace settings; enhances productivity and employee well-being.
Health Psychology: Examines the interplay between psychological factors and physical health.

Anxiety Disorders: Characterized by excessive fear or worry (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD).
Mood Disorders: Involve significant changes in mood (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder).
Personality Disorders: Enduring patterns of behavior that deviate from cultural expectations (e.g., borderline, narcissistic).
Psychotic Disorders: Features distortions in thinking (e.g., schizophrenia).

Nature vs. Nurture: Debate over the relative contributions of genetics and environment to behavior.
Developmental Stages: Theories by figures like Erik Erikson, who outlined psychosocial development stages.
Cognitive Dissonance: Mental discomfort experienced when holding two contradictory beliefs.

Positive Psychology: Focuses on strengths and well-being rather than pathology.
Neuroscience: Explores the biological basis of behavior through brain imaging and neuropsychology.
Cultural Psychology: Examines how culture influences psychological processes.

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
It encompasses various subfields including clinical, cognitive, developmental, social, and biological psychology.

Behavior refers to observable actions or responses.
Mental processes include internal experiences like thoughts, emotions, and beliefs.

Behaviorism emphasizes observable behaviors and the role of environmental factors.
Cognitive psychology explores mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving.
Psychoanalysis, developed by Sigmund Freud, centers on unconscious motivations and childhood experiences.
Humanistic psychology stresses personal growth and self-actualization.
Biopsychology examines the biological influences on behavior and mental processes.

Experiments are controlled studies designed to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
Observational studies gather data non-intrusively in natural settings.
Surveys use questionnaires to assess participant attitudes, opinions, and behaviors.
Case studies involve in-depth analysis of individuals or groups to explore unique psychological phenomena.

Sigmund Freud pioneered psychoanalysis and introduced the concept of the unconscious mind.
B.F. Skinner was a key figure in behaviorism, known for operant conditioning.
Carl Rogers was a proponent of humanistic psychology, emphasizing empathy and unconditional positive regard.
Jean Piaget developed theories about cognitive development in children.

Clinical psychology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
Educational psychology examines learning processes and effective teaching practices.
Industrial-organizational psychology studies behavior in workplaces to enhance productivity and well-being.
Health psychology explores the relationship between psychological factors and physical health.

Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive fear or worry, such as generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD.
Mood disorders involve significant mood changes, including depression and bipolar disorder.
Personality disorders are enduring behavioral patterns that deviate from cultural expectations, such as borderline or narcissistic personality disorders.
Psychotic disorders feature distortions in thinking, such as schizophrenia.

The nature versus nurture debate explores the relative contributions of genetics and environment to behavior.
Developmental stages are outlined in theories by figures like Erik Erikson, who described psychosocial development stages.
Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort experienced when holding two contradictory beliefs.

Positive psychology focuses on strengths and well-being rather than pathology.
Neuroscience explores the biological basis of behavior through brain imaging and neuropsychology.
Cultural psychology examines how culture influences psychological processes.