I. History of Psychology
Father of Psychology: Wilhelm Wundt
Titchener: Structuralism: Analyzing sensations and personal experience into basic
elements
James: Functionalism: How behavior and mental abilities help people adapt to their
environments
Watson: Behaviorism: Emphasizes the study of overt, observable behavior
Wertheimer: Gestalt psychology: Emphasizing the study of thinking, learning and
perception in the whole unity
Freud: Psychoanalytic Psychology: Emphasizes the exploration of unconscious conflicts
Maslow + Rogers: Humanistic Psychology: Focuses on human experience, problems,
potentials, and ideals
Psych Approaches
Biological: Understand the relationship between the physiology (nervous system) and
behavior
Behavioral Genetics: Specific behaviors given to certain genetically-based
(psychological) characteristics
Behavioral: The study of observable behavior
Cognitive: To understand people’s behavior we must first understand the ways they think
Humanistic: The philosophical tradition of studying the rules of consciousness, free will
and awareness
Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic: (Sigmund Freud) The psychoanalytic theoryfunctioning of the conscious/unconscious mind
Sociocultural: Environmental effect-behavior
Evolutionary: Focuses on theories of Darwin
Darwin: Adaptation for survival
II. Methods
Psych Research:
-Naturalistic Observation
-Observer Effect
-Correlational Studies
Psych Experiments:
-Independent/dependent variable
-Experimental/controlled group
Meta-analysis
Placebo Effect
Single/Double Blind Effect
Pseudo Psychology
III. Bio
Neuroanatomy
Neurons
Neurotransmitters
Synapse
Branches of the Nervous System
Reflex Arc
Brain:
-Hind brain
-Mid brain
-Fore brain
-Cerebral Cortex
-Hemispheres
-Frontal Lobes
-Parietal Lobes
-Occipital Lobes
-Temporal Lobes
-Endocrine System
IV. Sensation and Perception
Data reduction systems
Transducers
Rods/Cones
Phosphenes
Sensory localization
Just noticeable difference/Weber’s Law
Perceptual defense
Limen
Subliminal Perception
Anatomy of the Eye
Visual Acuity
Peripheral vision
Bottom up/Top down processing
Trichromatic and opponent process theory
Color blindness/Ishihara Test
Place theory/ Frequency theory
Anatomy of ear
Insomnia
Pheromones
Pain reception
Small/large nerve fibers
Depth perception
Gestalt Principle
Muscular cues
Stereoscopic vision
Retinal disparity
Sensory Gates
Selective/Divided Attention
Habituation/Adaptation
Somoesthetic Senses
Kinesthetic Senses
Vestibular Senses
V. Consciousness
Sleep
-Sleep deprivation and effects
-Brain waves and sleep (alpha, beta, thelta, delta)
-Stages of sleep (REM/NREM)
-Sleep Disturbances (nightmares/sleep apnea)
-Chronic Insomnia (causes/cures)
Dreaming
-Calvin Hall
-Freud’s Psychodynamic Dream Theory (dream symbols)
-Hobson + McCarley- Activation Synthesis (paralysis, dreams with no
psychological meaning)
Drugs
-Effects on the brain
-Stimulants and depressants (alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, GHB…ect)
-Hallucinogens
-Barbiturates
IX. Development
Genetic Heritage + Environment= personality
Parenting, Nurturing, Environment
Development is affected by deprivation and enrichment
Emotional bond with caregivers
Language learning= key step in development
Piagets stage theory-maps how thinking develops
Vigotsky Theory-Childs mind is shaped by human relationships
Effective child discipline= consistent, humane, encouraging, respectful
Genetics research= predictions can be made
Erik Erikson- Personality Theorist (8 stages)
Problems of Childhood (Normal/Serious)
Autism
Child Abuse
Abusive parents
Adolescence, adulthood transition, puberty, early/late maturation
The search for identity
Moral Development