Introduction to Psychology Review Vocabulary

William James

• Early American psychologist known for his work in functionalism.

• A famous physicist who developed the theory of relativity.

• A leading figure in the behaviorist movement of psychology.

• An advocate for psychoanalysis and the unconscious mind.

Educational Psychologists

• Focus on learning and teaching processes.

• Conduct psychological assessments for mental health disorders.

• Develop educational policies and curricula.

• Research the effects of technology on education.

Just-World Hypothesis

• Belief that people get what they deserve.

• Belief that luck determines success.

• Belief that hard work is irrelevant to outcomes.

• Belief that fate controls all events.

Environmental Psychologists

• Study how environments affect behavior.

• Analyze the impact of climate change on ecosystems.

• Research the effects of urbanization on wildlife.

• Examine the relationship between technology and mental health.

Attribution

• Explaining someone’s behavior (internal vs. external causes).

• A method of measuring intelligence.

• A psychological theory about memory retention.

• A technique for improving communication skills.

Sociocultural Psychology

• Examines how culture and society impact behavior.

• Focuses solely on individual psychological processes.

• Studies the biological basis of behavior.

• Analyzes historical events and their psychological effects.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

• Belief that leads to its own fulfillment.

• A prediction that is proven false.

• A belief that has no impact on reality.

• A theory that explains random events.

Wilhelm Wundt

• 'Father of psychology,' founded the first psychology lab; focused on structuralism.

• Developed the theory of evolution and natural selection.

• Pioneered behaviorism and studied observable behavior.

• Introduced the concept of the unconscious mind.

American Psychological Association (APA)

• Organization that advances psychological research and practice.

• A government agency that regulates psychological testing.

• A private company that sells psychological assessments.

• A non-profit organization focused on mental health awareness.

Obedience

• Following orders from authority (Milgram’s shock experiment).

• Acting independently without influence from others.

• Disobeying rules set by authority figures.

• Making decisions based on personal beliefs.