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Introduction to Psychology - Key Concepts and Theories

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Termini in questo insieme (31)

  • Psychology

    Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

  • Wilhelm Wundt

    Known as the father of psychology, he established the first psychology laboratory in 1879 and founded Structuralism, focusing on breaking down mental processes into basic components.

  • Psychoanalytic Theory

    Developed by Sigmund Freud, it emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts, childhood experiences, and internal drives in shaping behavior.

  • Biological Perspective

    Focuses on how genes, brain structures, and neurotransmitters influence behavior.

  • Humanistic Perspective

    Emphasizes human growth, potential, and self-actualization, with key figures like Maslow and Rogers.

  • Cognitive Perspective

    Studies how we encode, process, store, and retrieve information, including thinking, memory, and problem-solving.

  • Sociocultural Perspective

    Examines how social and cultural environments influence behavior.

  • Behavioral Perspective

    Focuses on how we learn from observable stimuli and responses through conditioning.

  • Evolutionary Perspective

    Explains behavior as a result of natural selection favoring traits that enhance survival and reproduction.

  • Basic vs. Applied Research

    Basic research increases scientific knowledge; applied research solves practical problems.

  • Steps of the Scientific Method

    1. Question and Literature Review
    2. Testable Hypothesis
    3. Research Design
    4. Data Collection and Analysis
    5. Publication
    6. Theory Development

  • Hypothesis

    A tentative, testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

  • Replication

    Repeating a study to confirm if the same results are obtained, ensuring reliability.

  • Four Goals of Psychology

    1. Description
    2. Explanation
    3. Prediction
    4. Change

  • Informed Consent

    An ethical requirement that participants are informed about the study and voluntarily agree to participate.

  • Descriptive Research Methods

    Includes case studies, naturalistic observation, and surveys/interviews to describe behavior.

  • Correlation

    A measure of the relationship between two variables: positive, negative, or zero correlation.

  • Independent vs. Dependent Variable

    Independent Variable (IV) is manipulated; Dependent Variable (DV) is measured as the outcome.

  • Control vs. Experimental Group

    Experimental group receives treatment; control group does not, serving as a baseline.

  • Double-Blind Study

    Neither participants nor experimenters know group assignments, preventing bias.

  • Neuron

    The basic building block of the nervous system; transmits electrical impulses.

  • Parts of a Neuron

    Dendrites receive messages, cell body sustains the neuron, axon sends impulses, myelin sheath insulates and speeds transmission.

  • Action Potential

    A brief electrical charge traveling down an axon; an all-or-none response.

  • Central Nervous System (CNS)

    Consists of the brain and spinal cord; acts as the body's decision-maker.

  • Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic Nervous System

    Sympathetic activates 'fight or flight'; parasympathetic promotes 'rest and digest'.

  • Four Lobes of the Brain

    Frontal: planning and personality
    Parietal: sensory processing
    Occipital: vision
    Temporal: hearing and memory

  • General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) Stages

    1. Alarm: body prepares to fight or flee
    2. Resistance: body adapts to stress
    3. Exhaustion: resources depleted, risk of illness

  • Consciousness

    Our awareness of ourselves and our environment.

  • Circadian Rhythms

    Biological cycles on a 24-hour schedule, such as the sleep-wake cycle.

  • Stages of Sleep

    NREM 1: light sleep
    NREM 2: sleep spindles
    NREM 3: deep sleep
    REM: dreaming, brain active but body paralyzed

  • Psychoactive Drugs

    Chemicals that alter perception and mood.