Basics of Psychology

Front

What is the definition of psychology?

Back

Scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Front

What are the goals of psychology?

Back

Describe, explain, predict, and control behavior.

Front

What is the empirical method in psychology?

Back

Using observation/experiments, not intuition.

Front

What are some critical thinking questions in psychology?

Back

What’s the claim? Who’s making it? What’s the evidence? Alternative explanations? Other info needed?

Front

What is structuralism?

Back

Break down consciousness into basic elements (Wundt/Titchener).

Front

What is functionalism?

Back

How mental processes help organisms adapt (William James).

Front

What is the psychoanalytic theory?

Back

Unconscious drives (Freud).

Front

What is Gestalt psychology?

Back

“Whole is greater than parts.”

Front

What is behavioral psychology?

Back

Learning from environment (Watson/Skinner).

Front

What is humanistic psychology?

Back

Free will, self-actualization (Rogers/Maslow).