AP Psych Unit 1 (branches of psychology)

Functionalism

School of psychology that focused on how our mental and behavioral processes function; how they enable us to adapt, survive and flourish. A protest to Structuralist private mental events. Focus on the process of conscious activity. Roots with evolution. Not what mind does, but why it does it.

Developmental Psychology

Scientific study of physical, cognitive and social change throughout the life span. Subfields may include: child psychology, adolescent psychology, life-span psychology, aging, end-of-life, etc.

Humanistic Psychology

Historically significant perspective that emphasized the growth potential of healthy people and the individual's potential for personal growth. Recognizes importance of love, self esteem, belonging, and self-actualization.

Structuralism

Early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the structural elements of the human mind.

Psychodynamic Psychology

Branch of psychology that studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior, and uses that information to treat people with psychological disorders. Behavior results from forces within the individual, often at unconscious level. Important in the history of psychotherapy. Childhood experiences play a large role.

Personality Psychology

Study of an individual's characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling and acting--including, but not limited to: anxiety, sociability, self-esteem, need for achievement, aggressiveness, etc.

Feminist Psychology

Study of the psychology of women. Term 'Feminist Psychology' originally coined by Karen Horney. Her book, 'Feminine Psychology', a collection of articles Horney wrote on the subject from 1922-37. Argued that: much research based on all-male samples; reports of sex/gender differences focus too much on extremes & ignore similarities; and, psychologists only study what they consider important.

Counseling Psychology

Branch of psychology that assists people with problems in living (often related to school, work or marriage) and in achieving greater well-being.

Experimental Psychology

Study of behavior and thinking using the scientific method.

Clinical Psychology

Branch of psychology that studies, assesses and treats people with psychological disorders.

Cognitive Psychology

Scientific study of all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering and communicating. Study of mental processes. Computer largely influenced theories. Some areas of study: thinking, learning, feeling, memory, decision-making, etc.

Social Psychology

Scientific study of how we think about, influence and relate to one another--including, but not limited to: first impressions, prejudice, behavior in a group, attitude formation, interpersonal attraction, etc.

Educational Psychology

Study of how psychological processes affect, and can enhance, teaching and learning.

Social-Cultural Psychology

Study of how situations and cultures affect our behavior and thinking.

Evolutionary Psychology

Study of the roots of behavior and mental processes using the principles of natural selection.

Behaviorism

View that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2). Rejected mental events. Should only study observable, verifiable events. Dominated psychology for 50+ years.

Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology

Application of psychological concepts and methods to optimizing human behavior in workplaces--including, but not limited to: selecting and training personnel, productivity improvement, working conditions, impact of automation on workers, etc.

Psychometrics

Scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes and traits.

Biological Psychology

Branch of psychology that studies the links between biological (including neuroscience and behavior genetics) and psychological processes.

Gestalt Psychology

Psychological approach that emphasizes that we often perceive the whole rather than the sum of the parts. Emphasized total experience of the individual and not just parts of the mind or behavior. Lacked scientific rigor and was displaced. Major influence in sensation and perception.

Community Psychology

Branch of psychology that studies how people interact with their social environments, and how social institutions affect individuals and groups.

Psychology

Science of behavior and mental processes.

Positive Psychology

Scientific study of human functioning, with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities thrive.

Behavioral Psychology

Scientific study of observable behavior, and its explanation by principles of learning.

Human Factors Psychology

Study of how people and machines interact and the design of safe and easily used machines and environments.