The Science of Psychology: An Appreciative View, 1st Edition (King)

Chapter 1: What Is Psychology? Defining Psychology

Key Terms


Behavior  Everything we do that can be directly observed.
behavioral approach  A psychological perspective emphasizing the scientific study of observable behavioral responses and their environmental determinants.
biological approach  A psychological perspective that examines behavior and mental processes through a focus on the body, especially the brain and nervous system.
cognitive approach  A psychological perspective that focuses on the mental processes involved in knowing: how we direct our attention, perceive, remember, think, and solve problems.
critical thinking  The process of thinking reflectively and productively, as well as evaluating evidence.
evolutionary approach  A psychological perspective that uses evolutionary ideas such as adaptation, reproduction, and "survival of the fittest" as the basis for explaining specific human behaviors.
Functionalism  An early school of psychology that was concerned with the functions and purposes of the mind and behavior in individuals' adaptation to the environment.
humanistic approach  A psychological perspective that emphasizes a person’s positive qualities, capacity for positive growth, and the freedom to choose any destiny.
mental processes  The thoughts, feelings, and motives that each of us experiences privately but that cannot be observed directly.
natural selection  An evolutionary process that favors organisms' traits or characteristics that are best adapted to reproduce and survive.
Neuroscience  The scientific study of the structure, function, development, genetics, and biochemistry of the nervous system.
positive psychology movement  The push for a stronger emphasis on research involving the experiences that people value, the traits associated with optimal capacities for love and work, and positive group and civic values.
psychodynamic approach  A psychological perspective emphasizing unconscious thought, the conflict between biological instincts and society's demands, and early family experiences.
psychology  The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Psychopathology  The study of mental illness.
science  In psychology, the use of systematic methods to observe, describe, predict, and explain behavior.
sociocultural approach  A psychological perspective that examines the ways in which the social and cultural environments influence behavior.
Structuralism  An early school of psychology that attempted to identify the structures of the human mind.
King: The Science of Psychology large cover image
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