Psychology |
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The scientific study of behavior and mental processes |
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Scientific Observation |
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an empirical investigation that is structured so that it answers questions about the world |
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research method |
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a systematic approach to answering scientific questions |
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developmental psychologists |
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study the course of human growth and development from conception until death |
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learning theorists |
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study how and why learning occurs in humans and animals |
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personality theorists |
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study personality traits, motivation, and individual differences |
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sensation and perception psychologists |
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investigate how we discern the world through our senses |
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comparative psychologists |
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study and compare the behavior of different species, especially animals. |
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biopsychologists |
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study how behavior relates to biological processes, especially activities in the nervous system |
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cognitive psychologists |
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interested in thinking. |
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gender psychologists |
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study differences between females and males |
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social psychologists |
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explore human social behavior, such as attitudes, persuasion, riots, conformity, leadership, racism, and friendship |
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cultural psychologists |
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study the ways in which culture affects human behavior |
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evolutionary psychologists |
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are interested in how our behavior is guided by patterns that evolved during the long history of mankind |
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forensic psychologists |
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apply psychological principles to legal issues. |
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animal model |
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in research, an animal whose behavior is used to derive principles that may apply to human behavior |
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description |
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in scientific research, the process of naming and classifying |
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understanding |
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in psychology, understanding is achieved when the causes of a behavior can be stated |
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psychology's 1st goal |
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description |
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psychology's 2nd goal |
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understanding and explanation |
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psychology's 3rd goal |
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prediction |
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psychology's 4th goal |
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control |
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4 principles of critical thinking |
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1. few "truths transcend the need for empirical thinking.2. judging the quality of evidence is crucial.3. authority or claimed expertise does not automatically make an idea true.4. critical thinking requires an open mind. |
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critical thinking |
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an ability to evaluate, compare, analyze, critique, synthesize, and reflect on information |
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pseudopsychology |
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any false and unscientific system of beliefs and practices that is offered as an explanation of behavior |
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what are the six steps of the scientific method? |
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1. making observations2. defining a problem3. proposing a hypothesis 4. gathering evidence/testing the hypotheses5. publishing results6 theory building |
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uncritical acceptance |
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the tendency to believe generally positive or flattering descriptions of oneself |
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fallacy of positive instances |
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the tendency to remember or notice information that fits on's expectations, while forgetting discrepancies |
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barnum effect |
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the tendency to consider a personal description accurate if it is stated in general terms |
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scientific method |
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a form of critical thinking based on careful measurement and controlled observation |
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hypothesis |
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the predicted outcome of an experiment or an educated guess about the relationship between two variables |
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operational definition |
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defining a scientific concept by stating the specific actions or procedures used to measure it. |
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theory |
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a system of ideas designed to interrelate concepts and facts in a way that summarizes existing data and predicts future observations |
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stimulus |
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any physical energy sensed by an organism |
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introspection |
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to look within; to examine on's own thoughts, feelings, or sensations |
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structuralism |
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the school of thought concerned with analyzing sensations and personal experiences in basic elements |
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functionalism |
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the school of psychology concerned with how behavior and mental abilities help people adapt to their environments |
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natural selection |
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darwin's theory that evolution favors those plants and animals best suited to their living conditions |
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behaviorism |
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the school of psychology that emphasizes the study of overt, observable behavior |
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response |
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any muscular action, glandular activity, or other identifiable aspect of behavior |
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cognitive behaviorism |
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an approach that combines behavioral principles with cognition (perception, thinking, anticipation) to explain behavior |
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gestalt psychology |
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a school of psychology emphasizing the study of thinking, learning, and perception in whole unites, not by analysis into parts. |
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unconscious |
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contents of the mind that are beyond awareness, especially impulses and desires not directly known to a person |
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repression |
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the unconscious process by which memories, thoughts, or impulses are held out of awareness |
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psychoanalysis |
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a freudian approach to psychotherapy emphasizing the exploration of unconscious conflicts |
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neo-freudian |
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a psychologist who accepts the broad features of freud's theory but has revised the theory to fit his or her own concepts |
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psychodynamic theory |
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any theory of behavior that emphasizes internal conflicts, motives, and unconscious forces |
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humanism |
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an approach to psychology that focuses on human experience, problems, potentials, and ideals |
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determinism |
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the idea that all behavior has prior causes that would completely explain one's choices and actions if all such causes were known |
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free will |
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the idea that human beings are capable of freely making choices or decisions |
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self-actualization |
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the ongoing process of fully developing one's personal potential |
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biological perspective |
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the attempt to explain behavior in terms of underlying biological principles |
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psychological perspective |
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the traditional view that behavior is shaped by psychological processes occurring at the level of the individual |
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positive psychology |
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the study of human strengths, virtues, and effective functioning |
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sociocultural perspective |
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the focus on the importance of social and cultural contexts in influencing the behavior of individuals |
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sociocultural perspective |
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the focus on the importance of social and cultural contexts in influencing the behavior of individuals |
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cultural activity |
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the idea that behavior must be judged relative to the values of the culture in which it occurs |
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social norms |
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rules that define acceptable and expecte behavior for the members of a group |
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psychologists |
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a person highly trained in the methods, factual knowledge, and theories of psychology |
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clinical psychologist |
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a psychologist who specializes in the treatment of psychological and behavioral disturbances or who does research on such disturbances |
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counseling psychologist |
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a psychologist who specializes in the treatment of milder emotional and behavioral disturbances |
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psychiatrist |
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a medical doctor with additional training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders |
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psychoanalyst |
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a mental health professional (usually a medical doctor) trained to practice psychoanalysis |
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counselor |
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a mental health professional who specializes in helping people with problems not involving serious mental disorders |
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psychiatric social worker |
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a mental health professional trained to apply social science principles to help patients in clinics and hospitals |
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