Term

Describe how psychologists such as the Clarks, Gilbreth, and Marston changed our lives.

Definition

Kenneth and Mamie Clark studied how racial segregation affected Black children and found that many Black children preferred white dolls, showing the psychological effects of segregation. Their research was used as evidence in Brown v. Board of Education, helping demonstrate the harmful effects of segregation. Lillian Gilbreth used psychology and efficiency research to improve workplaces and everyday products, including kitchen designs, refrigerator shelves, and the foot-pedal trash can. Her work helped develop modern industrial-organizational psychology. William Marston studied the relationship between emotions, blood pressure, and lying, helping develop an early form of the lie detector. He also created Wonder Woman, combining his psychological interests with popular culture.

Term

2. Identify and give examples of psychology’s five core domains.

Definition

Biological – studies how the brain, nervous system, hormones, and genetics influence behavior. Example: Studying how brain activity affects emotions. Cognitive – studies mental processes such as memory, thinking, decision-making, and perception. Example: Studying how people remember information. Developmental – studies how people change physically, mentally, and socially throughout life. Example: Studying how children develop language. Social – studies how other people and social situations influence our thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Example: Studying conformity or peer pressure. Individual differences – studies ways people differ from one another, including personality, intelligence, motivation, and mental health. Example: Studying why some people are more outgoing than others.

Term

3. Give examples of how some psychologists work across psychology’s five core domains.

Definition

Psychologists often combine multiple domains because human behavior usually has more than one cause. For example, a psychologist studying depression might look at biological factors such as genetics and brain chemistry, cognitive factors such as negative thinking, developmental factors such as childhood experiences, social factors such as relationships, and individual differences such as personality. A psychologist studying learning could also examine brain processes, memory, age, social influences, and differences in intelligence or motivation. The book emphasizes that behavior is often multiply determined, meaning several factors work together to influence behavior.