Psych 100 Final Study Guide\\\Psych 100 Final
Study Guide – Key Concepts, Theories & Terms
(2025 Edition)
Psychology
The scientific study of mind and behavior
Empiricism
The view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should, therefore, rely on
observation and experimentation
Monism
Brain is mind and mind is brain (brain = mind)
Dualism
Mind and body are separate (brain DOES NOT EQUAL mind)
Epiphenomenalism
The view that mental events are caused by physical events in the brain, but have no effects upon any
physical events.
Interactionism
Mind can influence matter and vice versa
Materialism
Brain is mind and mind is brain (Brain = Mind)
Structuralism
An early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the elemental structure of the human
mind
*all conscious thoughts and perceptions were thought to be combination of sensations...senses are the
CONTENT of consciousness
*scientists worked in labs
Downfall: very subjective, results cannot be reproduced well
Introspection
Examination of one's own thoughts and feelings
Functionalism
,A school of psychology that focused on how our mental and behavioral processes function - how they
enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish.
* looks at functions of the mind rather than the structure--opposed structuralism
*scientists worked more in the field & focused more on application
Gestalt Psychology
A psychological approach that emphasizes that we often perceive the whole rather than the sum of the
parts
*Example: when looking at someone, you see their face as a whole not their features separately
Behaviorism
The view that psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior without reference to
mental processes or introspection. Most research psychologists today agree with as opposed to
structuralism or functionalism.
*Goal is the prediction and control of behavior
*Shifted psych focus from philosophy to biology -- focused on animals and recognized no difference
between man and animal
Cognitive Revolution
A shift in psychology from the behaviorist's stimulus-response relationships to an approach whose main
thrust was to understand the operation of the mind
Psychophysiological Model of Mind
Attempted to explain behaviour by examining its biological basis. This branch of psychology explains the
relationship between behavior and the processes and structures of the central nervous system.
*psychological phenomena (experiences, consciousness) can be explained in terms of physical and
biochemical processes
Psychodynamic Model of Mind
All behavior can be explained in terms of drives or other intrapsychological forces -- most of our
behavior can be explained in terms of unconscious elements (things we're not aware of)
*psyche consists of 3 elements: Id, Ego, Superego
- Id: primal drives, follows pleasure principle, wild animal within
- Supergo: morality, ideals, aspirations, your perfect self
- Ego: reason and self control, tries to mediate between superego and id
Psychoanalysis
Freud's theory, a system of psychological theory and therapy that aims to treat mental conditions by
investigating the interaction of conscious and unconscious elements in the mind and
,bringing repressed fears and conflicts into the conscious mind by techniques such as dream
interpretation and free association.
Id, Ego, Superego
Freudian terms to describe the three parts of the self and the basis of human behavior
- Id: primal drives, follows pleasure principle, wild animal within
- Supergo: morality, ideals, aspirations, your perfect self
- Ego: reason and self control, tries to mediate between superego and id
Behaviorist Model of Mind
Proposes that the overt and observable behavior is the proper level of analysis, tries to determine what
factors in the environment control behavior
Cognitive Model of Mind
Assumes that cognition is the main processes of psychology, includes memory, perception
*Cognitions = all processes that used to be labelled "mental" (ex: perception, thinking, decision making,
memory, problem solving, etc)
Humanistic Model of Mind
Humanistic psychology is an approach that focuses on individual potential and personal growth.
It emphasizes free will, self-actualization, and the importance of a supportive environment for
psychological well-being.
William James (1842-1910)
Formed functionalism
*"Stream of consciousness" not "chopped up" or "joined" like structuralism
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920)
Created approach of structuralism. Wanted to know structure of mind. Introspection. Opened first
psychology research laboratory in 1879.
John Watson (1878-1958)
Founder of behaviorism, the theory that psychology should restrict its efforts to studying observable
behaviors, not mental processes.
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)
Founder of psychoanalysis -- all behavior can be explained in terms of drives, unconscious elements (Id,
Ego, Superego)
Rene Descartes
, Widely considered the father of modern philosophy. He established a foundation for modern thought by
asserting that the act of thinking proves one's existence, famously stating, “I think, therefore I am”.
Descartes was a central figure in the rationalist movement, which uses reason to acquire knowledge.
Human nervous system
A network of neurons that runs throughout your brain and body. Responsible for everything we think,
feel do -- central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
Central nervous system
Brain and spinal cord, exchanges information between brain and body, central part connects to PNS
Spinal cord
Major bundle of nerves that connects your body to your brain
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Composed of sensory and motor nerve that travel throughout entire body, connected to CNS -- divided
into somatic nervous system (SNS) and autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system. Allows us to feel external sensations (like touch of a
feather). Enables voluntary actions to be undertaken due to its control of skeletal muscles
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system. Allows us to feel internal sensations (like stomach
grumbling). Maintains operations inside body, outside of conscious control, related
to involuntary commands
Includes Sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system
Sympathetic Nervous System
The division of the autonomic nervous system that acts on blood vessels, organs, glands to prepare
body for action, especially in life-threatening situations
*Fight or flight
Parasympathetic Nervous System
The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy...acts on
blood vessels, organs, glands to return body to a resting state by counteracting and complementing
actions of sympathetic system
Endocrine system
Network of glands (hormone-secreting organs) that release blood-borne chemicals known as hormones
into bloodstream--glands that control many of the body's activities by producing hormones.
Glial cell
Study Guide – Key Concepts, Theories & Terms
(2025 Edition)
Psychology
The scientific study of mind and behavior
Empiricism
The view that knowledge originates in experience and that science should, therefore, rely on
observation and experimentation
Monism
Brain is mind and mind is brain (brain = mind)
Dualism
Mind and body are separate (brain DOES NOT EQUAL mind)
Epiphenomenalism
The view that mental events are caused by physical events in the brain, but have no effects upon any
physical events.
Interactionism
Mind can influence matter and vice versa
Materialism
Brain is mind and mind is brain (Brain = Mind)
Structuralism
An early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the elemental structure of the human
mind
*all conscious thoughts and perceptions were thought to be combination of sensations...senses are the
CONTENT of consciousness
*scientists worked in labs
Downfall: very subjective, results cannot be reproduced well
Introspection
Examination of one's own thoughts and feelings
Functionalism
,A school of psychology that focused on how our mental and behavioral processes function - how they
enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish.
* looks at functions of the mind rather than the structure--opposed structuralism
*scientists worked more in the field & focused more on application
Gestalt Psychology
A psychological approach that emphasizes that we often perceive the whole rather than the sum of the
parts
*Example: when looking at someone, you see their face as a whole not their features separately
Behaviorism
The view that psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior without reference to
mental processes or introspection. Most research psychologists today agree with as opposed to
structuralism or functionalism.
*Goal is the prediction and control of behavior
*Shifted psych focus from philosophy to biology -- focused on animals and recognized no difference
between man and animal
Cognitive Revolution
A shift in psychology from the behaviorist's stimulus-response relationships to an approach whose main
thrust was to understand the operation of the mind
Psychophysiological Model of Mind
Attempted to explain behaviour by examining its biological basis. This branch of psychology explains the
relationship between behavior and the processes and structures of the central nervous system.
*psychological phenomena (experiences, consciousness) can be explained in terms of physical and
biochemical processes
Psychodynamic Model of Mind
All behavior can be explained in terms of drives or other intrapsychological forces -- most of our
behavior can be explained in terms of unconscious elements (things we're not aware of)
*psyche consists of 3 elements: Id, Ego, Superego
- Id: primal drives, follows pleasure principle, wild animal within
- Supergo: morality, ideals, aspirations, your perfect self
- Ego: reason and self control, tries to mediate between superego and id
Psychoanalysis
Freud's theory, a system of psychological theory and therapy that aims to treat mental conditions by
investigating the interaction of conscious and unconscious elements in the mind and
,bringing repressed fears and conflicts into the conscious mind by techniques such as dream
interpretation and free association.
Id, Ego, Superego
Freudian terms to describe the three parts of the self and the basis of human behavior
- Id: primal drives, follows pleasure principle, wild animal within
- Supergo: morality, ideals, aspirations, your perfect self
- Ego: reason and self control, tries to mediate between superego and id
Behaviorist Model of Mind
Proposes that the overt and observable behavior is the proper level of analysis, tries to determine what
factors in the environment control behavior
Cognitive Model of Mind
Assumes that cognition is the main processes of psychology, includes memory, perception
*Cognitions = all processes that used to be labelled "mental" (ex: perception, thinking, decision making,
memory, problem solving, etc)
Humanistic Model of Mind
Humanistic psychology is an approach that focuses on individual potential and personal growth.
It emphasizes free will, self-actualization, and the importance of a supportive environment for
psychological well-being.
William James (1842-1910)
Formed functionalism
*"Stream of consciousness" not "chopped up" or "joined" like structuralism
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920)
Created approach of structuralism. Wanted to know structure of mind. Introspection. Opened first
psychology research laboratory in 1879.
John Watson (1878-1958)
Founder of behaviorism, the theory that psychology should restrict its efforts to studying observable
behaviors, not mental processes.
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)
Founder of psychoanalysis -- all behavior can be explained in terms of drives, unconscious elements (Id,
Ego, Superego)
Rene Descartes
, Widely considered the father of modern philosophy. He established a foundation for modern thought by
asserting that the act of thinking proves one's existence, famously stating, “I think, therefore I am”.
Descartes was a central figure in the rationalist movement, which uses reason to acquire knowledge.
Human nervous system
A network of neurons that runs throughout your brain and body. Responsible for everything we think,
feel do -- central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
Central nervous system
Brain and spinal cord, exchanges information between brain and body, central part connects to PNS
Spinal cord
Major bundle of nerves that connects your body to your brain
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Composed of sensory and motor nerve that travel throughout entire body, connected to CNS -- divided
into somatic nervous system (SNS) and autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system. Allows us to feel external sensations (like touch of a
feather). Enables voluntary actions to be undertaken due to its control of skeletal muscles
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system. Allows us to feel internal sensations (like stomach
grumbling). Maintains operations inside body, outside of conscious control, related
to involuntary commands
Includes Sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system
Sympathetic Nervous System
The division of the autonomic nervous system that acts on blood vessels, organs, glands to prepare
body for action, especially in life-threatening situations
*Fight or flight
Parasympathetic Nervous System
The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy...acts on
blood vessels, organs, glands to return body to a resting state by counteracting and complementing
actions of sympathetic system
Endocrine system
Network of glands (hormone-secreting organs) that release blood-borne chemicals known as hormones
into bloodstream--glands that control many of the body's activities by producing hormones.
Glial cell
