Chapter 1
An Introduction to Psychology
Chapter 1
An Introduction to Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Behavior includes all directly observable actions, from verbal communication to …
In psychology, researchers use scientific methods to understand the mind and behavior, focusing on evidence-based research as the foundation of
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Structuralism is the theoretical foundation for the scientific study of the mind.
Structuralism breaks down mental processes into three basic elements …
Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist, introduced the concept of the unconscious mind in psychology.
The unconscious mind is a repository for feelings, …
Functionalism is a school of thought introduced by William James, influenced by Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.
Functionalists …
Gestalt psychology is a school of thought introduced by three German psychologists — Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, and Wolfgang Kohler.
The term …
Behaviorism studies observable actions, such as a boy smiling after receiving ice cream or an audience clapping at the end of a performance.
Russian …
Humanistic psychology proposes that innate kindness and a desire for growth drive people to shape their lives and seek fulfillment.
The humanistic …
Cognitive psychology studies human cognition, focusing on mental processes such as thinking, understanding, decision-making, and problem-solving.
The …
Contemporary psychology refers to the modern and recent areas of psychological research and practice, such as biopsychology, evolutionary, developmental, …
In many situations humans are influenced by the behavior of other people and their relationships with them. For example, in stressful situations …
Collective human behavior such as group movement frequently shows surprising patterns and regularities, such as the emergence of leadership. Recent …
Perception of others' actions is crucial for survival, interaction, and communication. Despite decades of cognitive neuroscience research dedicated to …