Introduction to Psychology Study Guide

History and Research Methods in Psychology

Major schools of thought, scientific method, experimental design, and ethics essential for understanding all subsequent psychological research.

Biological Bases of Behavior

Neurons, neurotransmitters, brain structures, and nervous system organization underlying all behavior and mental processes.

Sensation and Perception

How sensory organs detect stimuli and the brain interprets information, including signal detection and perceptual organization.

States of Consciousness

Sleep cycles, dreams, hypnosis, and psychoactive drugs affecting awareness and cognitive functioning.

Learning: Classical and Operant Conditioning

Pavlov, Skinner, Little Albert experiment, reinforcement schedules, and observational learning principles tested extensively on finals.

Memory and Cognition

Encoding, storage, retrieval processes, memory models, forgetting, problem-solving, and language acquisition and development.

Developmental Psychology

Piaget's stages, Erikson's psychosocial development, attachment theory, and lifespan changes from infancy through adulthood.

Motivation and Emotion

Drive theories, Maslow's hierarchy, hunger, achievement motivation, and theories of emotion including James-Lange and Schachter-Singer.

Personality Theories

Freud's psychoanalytic theory, trait approaches, Big Five, humanistic perspectives, and personality assessment methods.

Social Psychology

Milgram obedience, Asch conformity, Stanford Prison experiment, attribution theory, attitudes, and group dynamics.

Psychological Disorders

DSM classification, anxiety, mood, schizophrenia, personality disorders, and their biological and psychological explanations.

Treatment and Therapy

Psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic therapies, and biomedical treatments including pharmacotherapy and their effectiveness.