AP PSYCH chapter 1/2 – Flashcards

One of the most prominent architects of the humanistic movement. He, along with Abraham Maslow, argues that human behavior is governed primarily by each individual's sense of self, or "self-concept" - which animals presumably lack. He argued that in order to fully understand human behavior, psychologists must take into account the fundamental human drive toward personal growth. He asserted that people have a basic need to continue to evolve as human beings and fulfill their potentials.

behaviorist whose work became highly influential in the 1950s. He championed a return to Watson's strict focus on observable behavior. He insisted that internal scientific events could not be studied scientifically and that there is no need to study them. He believed that the fundamental principle of behavior is that organisms tend to repeat responses that lead to positive outcomes, and they tend not to repeat responses that lead to negative outcomes. In his book Beyond Freedom and Dignity, he argued that all behavior is fully governed by external stimuli (in other words, you have no free will to choose your behavior and free will is an illusion). This caused a lot of controversy.

A German professor who mounted a campaign to make psychology an independent discipline rather than a stepchild of physiology or philosophy. Often referred to as the "Father of Psychology," he established the first formal lab for psychological research at the University of Leipzig (1879).

A highly influential figure that helped create functionalism (see key terms). He applied Darwin's theory of natural selection to humans, arguing that the typical characteristics of a species must serve some purpose. Applying his theory to human consciousness, he argued that psychologists must investigate the functions rather than the structure of consciousness. He coined the term "stream of consciousness."

He founded the behaviorism school of thought (see key terms). He argued that psychologists should abandon the stuffy of consciousness altogether and focus exclusively on behaviors that they could observe directly. The reason that he supported studying behavior was that it could be verified by anyone who is able and willing to do so (it is empirical:

Hall established America's first research lab in psychology at John Hopkins University (1883). In 1892, he was the driving force behind the establishment of the American Psychological Association (APA).

Structuralism (see key terms) emerged through the leadership of Titchener. He wanted to identify and examine the fundamental components of conscious experience, such as sensations, feelings, and images. He relied on the method of introspection

He was the leader of evolutionary psychologists

A contributor to the cognitive school of psychology, he showed that the left and right halves of the brain are specialized to handle different types of mental tasks. A contributor to the cognitive school of psychology, he showed that the left and right halves of the brain are specialized to handle different types of mental tasks.

A Canadian psychologist who contributed to the cognitive school of psychology, he demonstrated that electrical stimulation of the brain could evoke emotional responses such as pleasure and rage in animals.

The first female president of the APA (1905), she founded one of the first dozen psychology labs in America at Wesley College. Because she was a woman, she never got a degree in psychology (Harvard wouldn't let her).

One of the most prominent architects of the humanistic movement. He, along with Carl Rogers, argues that human behavior is governed primarily by each individual's sense of self, or "self-concept" - which animals presumably lack. He argued that in order to fully understand human behavior, psychologists must take into account the fundamental human drive toward personal growth. He asserted that people have a basic need to continue to evolve as human beings and fulfill their potentials.

Elected president of the APA in 1997, he founded the positive psychology theory (see key terms). He had an "epiphany" after his daughter got mad at him one day for being grumpy too often. He believed that psychology focused too much attention on negativity, weakness, damage, etc...

Based on the notion that the task of psychology is to analyze consciousness into its basic elements and investigate how these elements are related. Its main goal is to identify and examine the fundamental components of conscious experience, such as sensations, feelings, and images. Relies on introspection. Introduced by Titchener.

Based on the belief that psychology should investigate the function or purpose of consciousness, rather than its structure. It is interested in how people adapt their behavior to the demands of the real world around them. Introduced by William James, it is in general more popular than structuralism. Humanism: The theoretical orientation that emphasizes the unique qualities of humans, especially their freedom and potential for personal growth. They believe that humans are free, rational beings with the potential for personal growth, and they are fundamentally different from animals (don't study animals!).

A theoretical orientation based on the premise that scientific psychology should study only observable behavior. Argues that psychologists should abandon the stuffy of consciousness altogether and focus exclusively on behaviors that they could observe directly. Basic Premise: Only observable events (stimulus-response relations) can be studies scientifically. Subject Matter: Effects of the environment on the overt behavior of humans and animals. Principal Contributors: John B. Watson, Ivan Pavlov, and B.F. Skinner.

The behaviorist approach. Based on the idea that a subject reactions (responds) to a force (stimulus) in the environment.

Basic Premise: An organism's functioning can be explained in terms of the bodily structures and biochemical processes that underlie behavior. Subject Matter: Physiological bases of behavior in humans and animals. Principle Contributors: James Olds, Roger Sperry, David Hubel, and Torsten Wiesel.

Examines the influence of genetic factors on behavior and the role of the brain, nervous system, endocrine system, and bodily chemicals in the regulation of behavior.

An influential school of thought that emerged out of Germany during the first half of the 20th century. Gestalt psychologists repeatedly demonstrated that the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts.

A segment of psychology that deals with psychopathology and abnormal behavior. The term covers a broad range of disorders, from depression to obsession-compulsion to sexual deviation and many more. Counselors, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists often work directly in this field.