Key terms
American Psychological Association
professional organization representing psychologists in the United States
behaviorism
focus on observing and controlling behavior biopsychology study of how biology influences behavior
biopsychosocial model
perspective that asserts that biology, psychology, and social factors interact to determine an individual’s
health
clinical psychology
area of psychology that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and other
problematic patterns of behavior
cognitive psychology
study of cognitions, or thoughts, and their relationship to experiences and actions
counseling psychology
area of psychology that focuses on improving emotional, social, vocational, and other aspects of the lives of
psychologically healthy individuals
developmental psychology
scientific study of development across a lifespan
dissertation
long research paper about research that was conducted as a part of the candidate’s doctoral training
empirical method
method for acquiring knowledge based on observation, including experimentation, rather than a method
based only on forms of logical argument or previous authorities
forensic psychology
area of psychology that applies the science and practice of psychology to issues within and related to the
justice system
functionalism
focused on how mental activities helped an organism adapt to its environment
humanism
perspective within psychology that emphasizes the potential for good that is innate to all humans
introspection
process by which someone examines their own conscious experience in an attempt to break it into its
component parts
ology
suffix that denotes “scientific study of”
personality psychology
study of patterns of thoughts and behaviors that make each individual unique personality trait consistent
pattern of thought and behavior
PhD (doctor of philosophy)
doctoral degree conferred in many disciplinary perspectives housed in a traditional college of liberal arts
and sciences
postdoctoral training program
allows young scientists to further develop their research programs and broaden their research skills under
the supervision of other professionals in the field
psyche
Greek word for soul
psychoanalytic theory
focus on the role of the unconscious in affecting conscious behavior psychology scientific study of the
mind and behavior
PsyD (doctor of psychology)
doctoral degree that places less emphasis on research-oriented skills and focuses more on application of
psychological principles in the clinical context
sport and exercise psychology
area of psychology that focuses on the interactions between mental and emotional factors and physical
performance in sports, exercise, and other activities
American Psychological Association
professional organization representing psychologists in the United States
behaviorism
focus on observing and controlling behavior biopsychology study of how biology influences behavior
biopsychosocial model
perspective that asserts that biology, psychology, and social factors interact to determine an individual’s
health
clinical psychology
area of psychology that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and other
problematic patterns of behavior
cognitive psychology
study of cognitions, or thoughts, and their relationship to experiences and actions
counseling psychology
area of psychology that focuses on improving emotional, social, vocational, and other aspects of the lives of
psychologically healthy individuals
developmental psychology
scientific study of development across a lifespan
dissertation
long research paper about research that was conducted as a part of the candidate’s doctoral training
empirical method
method for acquiring knowledge based on observation, including experimentation, rather than a method
based only on forms of logical argument or previous authorities
forensic psychology
area of psychology that applies the science and practice of psychology to issues within and related to the
justice system
functionalism
focused on how mental activities helped an organism adapt to its environment
humanism
perspective within psychology that emphasizes the potential for good that is innate to all humans
introspection
process by which someone examines their own conscious experience in an attempt to break it into its
component parts
ology
suffix that denotes “scientific study of”
personality psychology
study of patterns of thoughts and behaviors that make each individual unique personality trait consistent
pattern of thought and behavior
PhD (doctor of philosophy)
doctoral degree conferred in many disciplinary perspectives housed in a traditional college of liberal arts
and sciences
postdoctoral training program
allows young scientists to further develop their research programs and broaden their research skills under
the supervision of other professionals in the field
psyche
Greek word for soul
psychoanalytic theory
focus on the role of the unconscious in affecting conscious behavior psychology scientific study of the
mind and behavior
PsyD (doctor of psychology)
doctoral degree that places less emphasis on research-oriented skills and focuses more on application of
psychological principles in the clinical context
sport and exercise psychology
area of psychology that focuses on the interactions between mental and emotional factors and physical
performance in sports, exercise, and other activities
