Unit 1 Material: Introduction to Psychology

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What is psychology?

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The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

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What are the goals of psychology?

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To describe, explain, predict, and change behavior and mental processes based on objective scientific evidence.

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What is pseudo-psychology?

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A fake branch of 'psychology' claiming scientific facts not supported by actual scientific evidence, e.g., fortune telling, astrology.

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What is the psychoanalytic/psychodynamic perspective?

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A perspective suggesting psychological problems are caused by conflicts between acceptable behaviors and unacceptable sexual or aggressive impulses, founded by Sigmund Freud.

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What is behaviorism?

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A perspective stating the environment is the major influence on behavior, with observable stimuli influencing responses, founded by John B. Watson.

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What is the cognitive perspective?

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A perspective focusing on how mental processes such as thoughts, memories, and problem-solving skills influence emotions and behaviors.

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What is the humanistic perspective?

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A perspective emphasizing voluntary choices, free will, and personal responsibility for actions, developed by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.

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What is the neuroscience/biopsychology perspective?

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A perspective focusing on how genetics and biological processes from the brain and nervous system influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

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What is the bio-psycho-social perspective?

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A perspective proposing that biological, psychological, and social factors are interrelated in influencing human functioning, first proposed by George Engel in 1977.

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Who is Wilhelm Wundt?

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Known as the 'father of psychology,' he established the first experimental psychology laboratory in Germany in 1879 and is credited with creating voluntarism.