Information Organization
A great deal of psychology information lends itself to organization on flash cards, in running concept lists, matrices, hierarchical maps, and flow charts. Each of these approaches is discussed and illustrated in this section.
Flash Cards
Flash cards are used to organize terms and definitions, people and contributions, lists, illustrations, and other types of psychology information (D. Applegate, CAL).
Running Concept Lists
Another good way to organize psychology information is running concept lists. The information may be organized according to subject/topic, chapter, or type of information. Examples of running concept lists are shown below (D. Applegate, CAL).
Matrices
Matrices or tables are particularly useful for organizing large amounts of information or for summarizing the similarities and/or differences between two or more items. Two examples are given here.
INSTRUMENTAL METHODS FOR CHANGING BEHAVIOR
| Definition | Example | |
| POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT | stimuli that increase the likelihood of a response if applied after response | parent takes child to movie if child cleans room |
| NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT | stimuli that increase the likelihood of a response if removed after response | change radio station to stop hearing static |
| EXTINCTION | reduction or elimination of response when reinforcement is no longer forthcoming | child stops taking out trash when parent stops praising |
| PUNISHMENT | stimuli that decrease likelihood of response if applied after response | parent scolds child for chasing ball into street |
(Seamon and Kenrick, 1994, p. 199)
SCHOOLS OF PSYCHOLOGY
| SCHOOL | TIME | FOCUS | TECHNIQUES |
| Structuralism | late 1800s to early 1900s | structure of mind | analytic introspection reaction-time experiments |
| Functionalism | late 1800s to early 1900s | uses and functions of mind | mental tests questionnaires objective observations |
| Gestalt Psychology | early 1900s to present | whole is greater than sum of parts | studies in perception |
| Psychoanalysis | late 1800s to present | behavior controlled by unconscious urges | clinical observation |
Behaviorism |
early 1900s to present | observable events and behaviors | scientific method conditioning |
| Humanistic Psychology | mid 1900s to present | uniquely human experiences | discussion of feelings |
| Cognitive Psychology | present | how mind acquires, stores and processes information | experiments in memory and thinking |
(REFERENCE)
Hierarchical Maps
Hierarchical maps are used to organize superordinate (general) and subordinate (specific) information in psychology. Information may be organized top-down, as in the example below, or from left to right. The following hierarchical map covers the two human nervous systems and their divisions.
Flow Charts
Flow charts may be used to organize processual information in psychology, such as the flow charts for the scientific method and for calculating sample averages shown below (D. Applegate, CAL).