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Exam 1
N/A
324
Psychology
Undergraduate 1
06/13/2012

Additional Psychology Flashcards

 


 

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Term
Scientific Theory
Definition
Explanation for a large number of findings in the natural world.
Term
Hypothesis
Definition
Testable prediction derived from a scientific theory
Term
Misconceptions about scientific theories
Definition
A theory explains one specific event. A theory is just an educated guess.
Term
Confirmation Bias
Definition
Tendency to seek out evidence that supports our hypothesis and deny, dismiss, or distort evidence that contradicts them.
Term
Belief perseverance
Definition
Tendency to stick to our initial beliefs even when evidence contradicts them.
Term
Metaphysical Claim
Definition
An assertion about the world is not testable
Term
Pseudoscience
Definition
A set of claims that seems scientific but aren’t. Lacks the safeguards against confirmation bias and belief perseverance that characterize science
Term
Overreliance on anecdotes
Definition
Example: the woman practices yoga daily for weeks and hasn’t had depression since.
Term
Bandwagon Fallacy
Definition
the error of assuming that a claim is correct just because many people believe in it.
Term
Not me Fallacy
Definition
The error of believing that we’re immune from errors in thinking that afflict other people
Term
Opportunity Cost
Definition
What we give up
Term
Scientific Skepticism
Definition
approach of evaluating claims with an open mind but insisting on persuasive evidence before accepting them
Term
Critical Thinking
Definition
set of skills for evaluating all claims in an open-minded and careful fashion
Term
Heuristics
Definition
mental shortcut that helps us to streamline our thinking and make sense of the world
Term
Representative heuristic
Definition
heuristic that involves judging the probability of an event by its superficial similarity to a prototype
Term
Base Rate
Definition
How common a characteristic or behavior is in a general population
Term
Availability Heuristic
Definition
heuristic that involves estimating the likelihood of an occurrence based on the ease with which it comes into our minds
Term
Cognitive biases
Definition
systematic errors in thinking
Term
Hindsight Bias
Definition
tendency to overestimate how well we could have successfully forecasted known outcomes
Term
Overconfidence
Definition
tendency to overestimate our ability to make correct predictions
Term
Naturalistic Observation
Definition
watching behavior in real world settings without trying to manipulate the situation
Term
External Validity
Definition
extent to which we can generalize findings to real-world settings. Naturalistic observations are higher in this.
Term
Internal Validity
Definition
extent to which we can draw cause-and-effect inferences from a study. Lab tests are high in this.
Term
Case Study
Definition
research design that examines one person or a small number of people in depth, often over an extended time period. Cannot infer causation. Can offer more information for upcoming designs.
Term
Existence proof
Definition
demonstration that a given psychological phenomenon can occur
Term
Random Selection
Definition
procedure that ensures every person in a population has an equal chance of being chosen to participate
Term
Hindsight Bias
Definition
tendency to overestimate how well we could have successfully forecasted known outcomes
Term
Overconfidence
Definition
tendency to overestimate our ability to make correct predictions
Term
Naturalistic Observation
Definition
watching behavior in real world settings without trying to manipulate the situation
Term
External Validity
Definition
extent to which we can generalize findings to real-world settings. Naturalistic observations are higher in this.
Term
Internal Validity
Definition
extent to which we can draw cause-and-effect inferences from a study. Lab tests are high in this.
Term
Case Study
Definition
research design that examines one person or a small number of people in depth, often over an extended time period. Cannot infer causation. Can offer more information for upcoming designs.
Term
Existence proof
Definition
demonstration that a given psychological phenomenon can occur
Term
Random Selection
Definition
procedure that ensures every person in a population has an equal chance of being chosen to participate
Term
Reliability
Definition
consistency of measuremeant
Term
Test retest ability
Definition
have a test iven to a large group of people one month and then two months later have the same type of test... the scores should be about the same.
Term
Interrator ability
Definition
how to psychologists will agree on what they have found
Term
Validity
Definition
extent to which a measure assesses what it plans to measure
Term
Response set
Definition
tendency of research participants to distort their responses to questionnaire items
Term
Positive impression management
Definition
the tendency to make ourselves look better than we are.
Term
Correlational Designs
Definition
research design that examines the extent two variables are associated. Cannot be causation
Term
Correlational coefficient
Definition
Can be positive, negative or zero.
Term
Positive coefficient examples
Definition
if the value of one variable changes, the other changes with it.
· If you study, your test grade will improve
· If you don’t study, your test grade will drop
Term
Negative coefficient examples
Definition
if the value of on variable goes up, the other goes down.
· More socially awkward-less friends
Term
Zero coefficient
Definition
No correlation
Term
Illusory correlation
Definition
perception of a statistical association between two variables where none exists
Term
Operational Definition
Definition
a working definition of what a researcher is measuring
Term
The Nocebo Effect
Definition
harm resulting from the mere expectation of harm
Term
Reliability
Definition
consistency of measuremeant
Term
Test retest ability
Definition
have a test iven to a large group of people one month and then two months later have the same type of test... the scores should be about the same.
Term
Interrator ability
Definition
how to psychologists will agree on what they have found
Term
Validity
Definition
extent to which a measure assesses what it plans to measure
Term
Response set
Definition
tendency of research participants to distort their responses to questionnaire items
Term
Positive impression management
Definition
the tendency to make ourselves look better than we are.
Term
Correlational Designs
Definition
research design that examines the extent two variables are associated. Cannot be causation
Term
Correlational coefficient
Definition
Can be positive, negative or zero.
Term
Positive coefficient examples
Definition
if the value of one variable changes, the other changes with it.
· If you study, your test grade will improve
· If you don’t study, your test grade will drop
Term
Negative coefficient examples
Definition
if the value of on variable goes up, the other goes down.
· More socially awkward-less friends
Term
Zero coefficient
Definition
No correlation
Term
Illusory correlation
Definition
perception of a statistical association between two variables where none exists
Term
Operational Definition
Definition
a working definition of what a researcher is measuring
Term
The Nocebo Effect
Definition
harm resulting from the mere expectation of harm
Term
Demand characteristics
Definition
cues that participants pick up from a study that allow them to generate guesses regarding the researcher’s hypotheses
Term
Neurons
Definition
nerve cells specialized for communication
Term
Dendrite
Definition
portion of the neuron that receives signals
Term
Axon
Definition
portion of the neuron that sends signals
Term
Neurotransmitter
Definition
chemical messenger specialized for communication from neuron to neuron
Term
Synapse
Definition
space between two connecting neurons through which messages are transmitted chemically
Term
Synaptic Cleft
Definition
a gap in which neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal
Term
Glial cell
Definition
cell in nervous system that plays a role in the formation of myelin and the blood-brain barrier, responds to injury, removes debris, and enhances learning and memory
Term
Myelin Sheath
Definition
glial cells wrapped around axons that act as insulators of the neurons signal
Term
Resting potential
Definition
electrical charge difference (-60 millivolts) across the neuronal membrane, when the neuron is not being stimulated or inhibited
Term
Threshold
Definition
membrane potential necessary to trigger an action potential
Term
Action Potential
Definition
electrical impulse that travels down the axon triggering the release of neurotransmitters
Term
Absolute refractory period
Definition
time during which another action potential is impossible; limits maximal firing rate
Term
Receptor site
Definition
location that uniquely recognizes a neurotransmitter
Term
Reuptake
Definition
means of recycling neurotransmitters
Term
Endorphins
Definition
chemical in the brain that plays a special role in pain reduction
Term
Plasticity
Definition
ability of the nervous system to change
Term
Stem Cell
Definition
a cell, often originating in embryos, having the capacity go differentiate into a more specialized cell
Term
Neurogenesis
Definition
creation of new neurons in the adult brain
Term
Central Nervous System/CNS
Definition
part of the nervous system containing brain and spinal cord that controls the mind and behavior
Term
Peripheral nervous system
Definition
nerves in the body that extended outside the central nervous system
Term
Cerebral Ventricles
Definition
pockets in the brain that contain cerebral spinal fluid which provide the brain with nutrients and cushion against injury
Term
Forebrain (cerebrum)
Definition
forward part of the brain that allows advanced intellectual abilities
Term
Cerebral hemispheres
Definition
two halves of the cerebral cortex, each of which serve distinct yet highly integrated functions
Term
Corpus Collosum
Definition
large band fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres
Term
Cerebral cortex
Definition
outermost part of the forebrain, responsible for analyzing sensory processing and higher brain functions
Term
Frontal Lobe
Definition
forward part of the cerebral cortex responsible for motor function, language, memory, and planning
Term
Motor Cortex
Definition
part of the frontal lobe responsible for body movement
Term
Prefrontal Cortex
Definition
part of frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning and language
Term
Broca’s area
Definition
language area in the prefrontal cortex that helps to control speech production
Term
Parietal lobe
Definition
upper part of the cerebral cortex lying behind the frontal lobe that is specialized for touch and perception
Term
Temporal lobe
Definition
lower part of cerebral cortex that plays roles in hearing, understanding, language, and memory
Term
Wernicke’s area
Definition
part of the temporal lobe involved in understanding speech
Term
Occipital lobe
Definition
back part of the cerebral cortex specialized for vision
Term
Primary sensory cortex
Definition
regions of the cerebral cortex that initially processes information from the senses
Term
Association Cortex
Definition
regions of the cerebral cortex that integrates simpler functions to perform more complex functions
Term
Basal ganglia
Definition
structures in the forebrain that help control movement
Term
Limbic system
Definition
emotional center of brain that also plays roles in smell, motivation and memory
Term
Thalamus
Definition
gateway from the sense organs to the primary sensory cortex
Term
Hypothalamus
Definition
part of the brain responsible for maintaining a constant internal state
Term
Amygdala
Definition
part of the limbic system that plays key roles in fear, excitement, and arousal
Term
Hippocampus
Definition
part of the brain that plays a role in spatial memory
Term
Brain stem
Definition
part of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebral cortex that contains the midbrain, pons and medulla
Term
Midbrain
Definition
part of the brain stem that contributes to movement, tracking of visual stimuli, and reflexes triggered by sound
Term
Reticular activating system
Definition
brain area that plays a key role in arousal
Term
Hindbrain
Definition
region below the midbrain that contains the cerebellum, pons, and medulla
Term
Cerebellum
Definition
brain structure responsible for our sense of balance
Term
Pons
Definition
part of the brain stem that connects the cortex with the cerebellum
Term
Medulla
Definition
part of the brain stem that is involved in basic functions, such as heartbeat, and breathing
Term
Spinal Cord
Definition
thick bundle of nerves that conveys signals between the brain and the body
Term
Interneuron
Definition
neurons that send messages to the other neurons nearby
Term
Reflex
Definition
an automatic motor response to a sensory stimulus
Term
Somatic nervous system
Definition
part of the nervous system that conveys information between the CNS and the body, controlling and coordinating voluntary movement
Term
Autonomic nervous System
Definition
part of the nervous system controlling voluntary actions of our internal organs and glands, which (along with the limbic system) participates in emotion regulation
Term
Sympathetic Nervous System
Definition
division of the autonomic nervous system engaged during a crisis or after actions requiring fight or flight
Term
Adrenal gland
Definition
tissue located at the top of the kidneys that releases adrenaline and cortisol during states of emotional arousal
Term
Electroencephalograph
Definition
recording of the brains electrical activity at the surface of the skull
Term
Computed tomography
Definition
a scanning technique using multiple X-rays to construct three dimensional images
Term
Magnetic resonance imaging
Definition
technique that uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structure
Term
Positron emission tomography
Definition
imaging technique that measures consumption of glucose like molecules, yielding a picture of neural activity in different regions of the brain
Term
FMRI, Functional MRI
Definition
technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity using BOLD response
Term
Transcranial magnetic Stimulation
Definition
technique that applies strong and quickly changing magnetic fields to the surface of the skull that can either enhance or interrupt brain function.
Term
Magnetoencephalography
Definition
technique that measures brain activity by detecting tine magnetic fields generated by the brain
Term
Lateralization
Definition
cognitive functioning that relies more on one side of the brain than the other
Term
Split-brain surgery
Definition
procedure that involves severing the corpus Collosum to reduce the spread of epileptic seizures
Term
Genotype
Definition
our genetic makeup
Term
Phenotype
Definition
our physical traits
Term
Dominant Gene
Definition
gene that masks other gene’s effects
Term
Recessive gene
Definition
gene that is expressed only in the absence of a gene
Term
Fitness
Definition
organisms capacity to pass on their genes
Term
Heritability
Definition
percentage of the variability in a trait across individuals that is due to genes
Term
Family study
Definition
analysis of how characteristics run intact families
Term
Twin study
Definition
analysis of how traits differ in identical versus fraternal twins
Term
Adoption Study
Definition
analysis of how traits vary in individuals raised apart from their biological relatives
Term
Illusion
Definition
perception in which the way we perceive a stimulus doesn’t match its physical reality
Term
Sensation
Definition
detection of physical energy by sense organs, which then send information to the brain
Term
Perception
Definition
the brain’s interpretation of raw sensory inputs
Term
Transduction
Definition
the process of converting an external energy substance into electrical activity within neurons
Term
Sense receptor
Definition
specialized cell responsible for converting external stimuli into neural activity for a specific sensory system
Term
Sensory Adaption
Definition
activation is greatest when a stimulus is first detected
Term
Psychophysics
Definition
the study of how we perceive sensory stimuli based on their physical characteristics
Term
Absolute threshold
Definition
lowest level of a stimulus needed for the nervous system to detect a change in fifty percent of the time (when no other stimulus of that type are present)
Term
Just noticeable Difference (JND)
Definition
the smallest change in the intensity of a stimulus that we can detect
Term
Weber’s Law
Definition
there is a constant proportional relationship between the JND and original stimulus intensity
Term
Signal Detection Theory
Definition
theory regarding how stimuli are detected under different conditions
Term
Synesthesia
Definition
a condition which people experience cross modal sensations
Term
Parallel Processing
Definition
the ability to attend to many sense modalities simultaneously
Term
Bottom up processing
Definition
processing in which a whole is constructed from parts
o Example: perceiving an object based on its edges
Term
Top-down processing
Definition
conceptually driven processing influenced by beliefs and expectancies
Term
Perceptual Set
Definition
set performed when expectations influence perceptions
Term
Perceptual constancy
Definition
the process by which we perceive stimuli consistently across varied conditions
Term
Selective Attention
Definition
process of selecting one sensory channel and ignoring or minimizing others
Term
Inattentional blindness
Definition
failure to detect stimuli that are in plain sight when our attention is focused elsewhere
Term
Extrasensory perception
Definition
perception of events outside the known channels of sensation
Term
Subliminal Perception
Definition
perception below the limen or threshold of conscious awareness
Term
Precognition
Definition
predicting events before they occur through paranormal means
Term
Telepathy
Definition
reading other people’s minds
Term
Clairvoyance
Definition
detecting the presence of objects or people that are hidden from view
Term
Hue
Definition
color of light
Term
Pupil
Definition
circular hole through which light enters the eye
Term
Cornea
Definition
part of the eye containing transparent cells that focus light on the retina
Term
Lens
Definition
part of the eye that changes curvature to keep images in focus
Term
Accommodation
Definition
changing the shape of the lens to focus on objects near or far
Fat: short and wide, or focusing on nearby objects
Flat: long and skinny, or focusing on objects further away
Term
Retina
Definition
membrane at the back of the eye responsible for converting light into neural activity
Term
Fovea
Definition
central portion of the retina
Term
Acuity
Definition
sharpness of vision
Term
Rods
Definition
receptor cells in the retina allowing us to see in low levels of light
Term
Dark adaptation
Definition
time in dark before rods regain maximum light sensitivity
Term
Cones
Definition
receptor cells in the retina allowing us to see in color
Term
Optic Nerve
Definition
nerve that travels from the retina to the brain
Term
Feature detecting cell
Definition
cell that detects lines and edges
Term
Trichromatic Theory
Definition
idea that color vision is based on our sensitivity to three primary colors
Term
Color Blindness
Definition
inability to see some or all colors
Term
Opponent process theory
Definition
theory that we perceive colors in terms of three pairs of opponent colors: either red or green, blue or yellow, black or white
Term
Depth perception
Definition
ability to judge distance and three dimensional relations
Term
Monocular depth cues
Definition
stimuli that enables us to judge depth only using ONE eye
Term
Binocular depth cues
Definition
stimuli that enables us to judge depth using both eyes
Term
Timbre
Definition
complexity or quality of sound that makes musical instruments, human voices, or other sources sound unique
Term
Cochlea
Definition
bony, spiral-shaped sense organ used for hearing
Term
Organ of Corti
Definition
tissue of containing the hair cells necessary for hearing
Term
Basilar membrane
Definition
membrane supporting the organ of corti and hair cells in the cochlea.
Term
Place Theory
Definition
specific place along with basilar membrane matches a tone with a specific pitch
Term
Frequency theory
Definition
rate at which neurons fire the action potential reproduces of the pitch
Term
Olfaction
Definition
our sense of smell
Term
Gustation
Definition
our sense of taste
Term
Taste Bud
Definition
sense receptor in the tongue that responds to sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami, and perhaps fat
Term
Pheromone
Definition
odorless chemical that serves as a social signal to members of one’s species
Term
Somatosensory
Definition
our sense of touch, temperature and pain
Term
Proprioception
Definition
pain or discomfort felt in an amputated limb
Term
Phantom Limb
Definition
our sense of body position
Term
Vestibular sense
Definition
our sense of equilibrium or balance
Term
Semicircular Canals
Definition
three fluid filled canals in the inner ear responsible for our sense of balance
Term
Post Hoc Fallacy
Definition
False assumption that because one event occurred before another event, it must have caused that event

Example: Although your mom did not focus on your needs when you are a kid, isn’t the only reason why you are socially anxious
Term
Nature via Nurture
Definition
Tendency of individuals with certain genetic predispositions to seek out and create the environments that permit the expression of those predispositions
Term
Cognitive Development
Definition
evelopment of the ability to think and reason
Term
Domain
Definition
different skills
Term
Domain general
Definition
Get better at each “subject” or cognitive skill all together. So as you’re getting better with language, you’re also getting better at math as well as getting better with social skills…etc.
Term
Domain specific
Definition
how language develops, the specific area. As you get better at one skill, the other skill stops and then makes a jump later.
Term
Piaget’s theory
Definition
Created the most famous theory- the constructivist theory: children learn through experiences
Term
Piaget’s stages of development
Definition
Sensorimotor Stage: (0-2 years old) , Preoperational Stage: (2-7 years) , Concrete Operations Stage — (7-11 years) , Formal Operations Stage: (374) (11+ years)
Term
Preoperational Stage: (2-7 years)
Definition
stage in Piaget’s theory characterized by the ability to construct mental representations of experience, but not yet perform operations on them
a. Using symbols as language. Such as using a banana as a phone or playing imaginary roles as mommy and daddy
b. Also, cannot see the world yet from someone else’s point of view.
Term
Concrete Operations Stage —(7-11 years
Definition
Stage in Piaget’s theory characterized by the ability to perform mental operations on physical events only
a. Example: sorting cats and dogs into their piles
i. Organizational tasks can be performed
Term
Formal Operations Stage: (11+ years)
Definition
Stage in Piaget’s theory characterized by the ability to perform hypothetical reasoning beyond the here and now
Term
General Cognitive Amounts
Definition
learning is gradual not so much stage like
Term
Sociocultural Accounts
Definition
Involves Vygotsky, that interaction with the social world is a primary source of development
Term
Modular Accounts
Definition
that language is independent of the ability to reason about space, there is no overlapping skills
Term
Talk about scaffolding with Vygotsky
Definition
scaffolding is you only help until there is support gained, so you help your child with riding a bike with training wheels but then you take those training wheels away
Term
Secure Attachments
Definition
Infant gets upset when mom leaves but greets her when she returns (60% of infants)
Term
Insecure avoidant attachment
Definition
i. Infant reacts when the mom leaves but when she returns there it little or no reaction to her return
1. If you’re not there when I need you, Ill make sure I don’t need you (15-20% US infants)
Term
Insecure- anxious attachment
Definition
When mom leaves, the baby freaks out but when she returns, the baby kind of tries to get away (15-20% US infants)
1. If you’re not there when I need you, I’ll make sure you just never leave
Term
Disorganized attachment
Definition
React to mom’s departure but then act confused when the mom gets back (5-10%)
Term
Attachment Theory
Definition
the individual attached to the one giving care
Term
Parenting Styles
Definition
Permissive, Authoritarian, Authoritative
Term
Permissive
Definition
Too lenient, discipline not so much
Term
Authoritarian
Definition
Too strict with the kid and little affection
Term
Authoritative
Definition
The perfect mixture of both
Term
Discrete Emotions Theory
Definition
Theory that humans experience only a small number of distinct emotions that are rooted in our biology Example: Like several different colors will make one final color
Term
Cognitive Theory of Emotions
Definition
Theory explaining that emotions are products of thinking Example: Screaming after thinking that you see the bear?
Term
James-Lang Theory of Emotions
Definition
Theory proposing that emotions result from our interpretations of our reactions to stimuli Example: As we start running, we then understand that we are scared, which is why we first started running.
Term
Cannon Bard Theory
Definition
Theory proposing that an emotion-provoking event leads simultaneously to an emotion and to bodily reactions Example: You get scared and you start running at the same time, one doesn’t come before another.
Term
Somatic Marker Theory
Definition
Theory proposed that we use our gut reactions to help us determine how we should react Example: Well, when I know I like a girl, I start sweating. So, if I am on a date with a girl and I start sweating, then I know I like her. However, if I am on the date and I don’t sweat, then I know she’s not the right one for me.
Term
Two factor Theory
Definition
Theory proposing that emotions are produced by an undifferentiated state of arousal along with an attribution (explanation) of that arousal. Feel that we experience arousal so we look around to see what the arousal is coming from
Term
Facial Feedback Hypothesis
Definition
Theory that blood vessels in the face feed back temperature information in the brain altering our experience of emotions. So smiling can actually uplift our day
Term
Public Distance
Definition
12 feet or more typically used for public speaking
Term
Social Distance
Definition
4-12 feet typically used for conversations of acquaintances or strangers
Term
Personal Distance
Definition
1.5 to 4 feet Typically used for conversations among close friends or romantic partners
Term
Intimate Distance
Definition
0-1.5 feet typically used for kissing, hugging, whispering, and affectionate touching
Term
Broaden and build theory
Definition
Theory proposing that happiness predisposes us to think more openly
Term
What makes us happy- myths and realities
Definition
a. Misconception 1: the prime determinant of happiness is what happens to us (pg 424)
i. Whatever happens to us makes us happier than others
b. Misconception 2: Money makes us happy
i. Not possible because this means more working hours which means less free time which means less happiness
ii. Over 50,00 doesn’t really matter anymore
c. Misconception 3: Happiness declines in age
i. Actually, happiness increases
d. Misconception 4: People on the West Coast are the happiest
i. Bullshit, but people think about how there are surfer dudes and what not but they don’t think about the high cost of living and crime rates and Stuff
Term
Durability Bias
Definition
Belief that both our good and bad moods will last longer than they do
Term
Cognitive Dissonance Theory
Definition
an influential model of attitude change and according to this theory, we alter our attitudes because we experience an unpleasant state of tension
Term
Cognitive Dissonance
Definition
unpleasant mental experience of tension resulting from two conflicting thoughts or beliefs
Term
Self-perception theory
Definition
Proposes that we acquire our attitudes by observing our behaviors
Term
Impression Management Theory
Definition
Theory that we don’t really change our attitudes, but report that we have so that our behaviors appear consistent with our attitudes
Term
Ultimate Attribution Error
Definition
Assumption that behaviors among individual members of a group are due to their internal dispositions
Term
Scapegoat Hypothesis
Definition
Claim that prejudice arises from a need to blame other groups for our misfortunes
Term
Scapegoat Theory
Definition
people may be prejudice toward a group in order to vent their anger.
Term
Just-world hypothesis
Definition
Claim that our attributions and behaviors are shaped by a deep seated assumption that the world is fair and all things happen for a reason
Term
Conformity
Definition
May stem from a need for social approval
Term
Robbers cave study
Definition
Created a situation where two groups were working against each other which created a prejudice feeling. But then, the two teams were brought together with a task that forced them to work together. This was a way to “cure” the prejudice
Term
Psychic Determinism
Definition
The assumption that all psychological events have a cause. Any thought that has entered your mind at some point has a cause behind it
Term
Conformity
Definition
Change in behavior or beliefs to match those of others
Term
Compliance
Definition
A change in what is said or done because of a request
Term
Obedience
Definition
A change in behavior in response to explicit demand from an authority figure
Term
Symbolic meaning
Definition
Anything an individual thinks or does (this is all according to the freudian’s) has a symbolic meaning behind it
Term
Unconscious motivation
Definition
Motivation way below the surface, very hard to retrieve
Term
Structure of personality
Definition
ID, Ego, Superego
Term
ID
Definition
reservoir of our most primitive impulses including sex and aggression
Entirely unconscious
Term
Ego
Definition
psyches executive and principle decision maker. Trying to please both superego and ID
Term
Superego
Definition
our sense of morality
Term
PT Barnum Effect
Definition
Tendency of people to accept high base rate descriptions as accurate
Term
DSM
Definition
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Term
Neo-Freud Theories
Definition
Theories that derived from Freud’s model, but that placed less emphasis on sexuality as a driving force in personality an were more optimistic regarding the prospects for long term personality growth
Term
The four D’s of abnormality
Definition
Deviance, Distress, Dysfunction
Term
Deviance (4 D's of Abnormality)
Definition
state of departing from usual or accepted standards
Term
Distress (4 D's of Abnormality)
Definition
Individuals can experience a disorder without distress
Term
Dysfunction (4 D's of Abnormality)
Definition
Interference with daily functioning.Can be a biological dysfunction
Term
Danger (4 D's of Abnormality)
Definition
Danger to self or others
Term
Equifinality
Definition
DIFFERENT factors can lead to SAME outcomes
Term
Multifinality
Definition
SAME factors can lead to DIFFERENT outcomes
Term
Deindividuation
Definition
Tendency of people to engage in uncharacteristic behavior when they are stripped of their usual identities ex. Prison guard or prisoner
Term
What really is an abnormality?
Definition
Basically just something that is considered a disorder, something that is causing stress or impairment and potentially a loss of freedom
Term
Anxiety Disorders
Definition
involve an excessive amount of anxiety at an inappropriate time
Term
Causes of Anxiety Disorders
Definition
genetic contribution, different amounts of serotonin
Term
Phobias
Definition
Intense and irrational fear + efforts to avoid the object of fear
Term
Specific phobia
Definition
claustrophobia, in order for it to count, there has to be an extreme amount of fear
Term
Social phobia
Definition
like being afraid to attend a restaurant because you don’t want to embarrass yourself by burping or something
Term
Panic Disorders
Definition
i. Intense fear
ii. Bodily symptoms which can be often mistaken as a heart attack ie Dizziness, Shortness of Breath, and Racing Heart
Term
Agoraphobia
Definition
fear of being in a situation where escape is difficult, or help is unavailable. Panic Disorders are comorbid with agoraphobia
Term
Comorbid
Definition
diagnosis of two things at once.
Term
Generalized anxiety disorders
Definition
i. Always anxious
ii. Always on edge
iii. Not really focused on an object or situation
Term
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Definition
Can include flashbacks, feelings of intense fear and arousal. Continues for about a month after stressor
Term
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Definition
Obsessions + Compulsions
Term
Obsessions
Definition
persistent, unwanted thoughts
Term
Compulsions
Definition
repetitive behaviors or mental acts
Term
Bipolar Disorder
Definition
Episodes of depression and mania
Term
Postpartum Disorder
Definition
Has to happen within 4 weeks of the mother giving birth.
Term
Schizophrenia
Definition
Disturbance in thinking, language, emotion, and relationships with others,Loss of contact with reality
Term
Schizophrenia facts
Definition
Most severe and disruptive of all psychological disorders (covers all rounds of engagement of the world)
Disruptions in all aspects of life
Rare disorder approx. 1% of population...equal in male and females
overrepresented in mental institutions
Term
Positive Symptoms of schizophrenia
Definition
Positive = characteristics that people with schizophrenia show, and people without don’t. Delusions (most common symptom) false belief. Even if you show the individual evidence they still don’t believe it.
Term
Hallucinations (positive symptom)
Definition
Seeing and hearing something without external energy
more often auditory than visual (or any other sense)
Inner speech - have internal thoughts but believe that it is perceived by other people
Term
Disorganized speech/behavior (positive symptom)
Definition
word salad- jumping from topic to topic. Doesn’t make any sense
Clang association
Term
Disorganized behavior (schizophrenia)
Definition
Disregard for own health or hygiene - wearing layers of clothing on a hot day
Inappropriate affect - laughing out of no where
Term
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia
Definition
Catatonia- disorganized behavior (freezing in position)
Affective flattening - shows no emotion
Alogia- decline in speech (stops responding)
Avolition- decline or absence of motivation
Term
Genetic evidence for Schizophrenia
Definition
Concordance (if one twin has it then the other twin will have it as well),
Schizophrenia is not environmental
Term
Schizophrenic abnormalities in the brain
Definition
Large ventricles

abnormal neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes
Dopamine hypothesis - excess dopamine = positive symptom
too little of dopamine = negative symptom
Term
Catatonia
Definition
disorganized behavior (freezing in position)
Term
Affective flattening
Definition
shows no emotion
Term
Alogia
Definition
decline in speech (stops responding)
Term
Avolition
Definition
decline or absence of motivation
Term
Origins of schizophrenia
Definition
Children who develop schizophrenia more likely to be born in the winter because of the flu virus during the second trimester of pregnancy

-Birth related trauma - diminished oxygen supply to brain
Term
Dissociative disorders facts
Definition
Disruptions in conscious, memory, identity or perception.

behavior is organized in different identities
Term
Dissociative fugue-
Definition
forget significant events and leave stressful circumstances
Term
Dissociative identity-
Definition
multiple personality disorder
Term
Paraprofessionals
Definition
individuals that practice with no medical training. Example: Suicide prevention line
Term
Transference
Definition
Unresolved issues from people in your past can be resolved with the therapist.
Term
Freud’s psychoanalysis
Definition
to make the unconscious conscious
Term
Functional analysis
Definition
In the context of anxiety and phobias, A is the trigger of anxious feelings, B is usually how someone avoids the source of anxiety, and the likely consequence C is that by avoiding the source of anxiety, people in effect, maintain their fear since they have not had enough opportunities to obtain systematic desensitization towards the cue of anxiety.

-A- Antecedent B- Behavior C-Consequence

-focuses on specific problem behaviors and current variables that maintain problematic thoughts, feelings and behaviors
Term
DSM Criticisms
Definition
i. The high level of comorbidity: the co-occurrence of two or more diagnosis within the same person
ii. That there is a problem with the reliance on a categorical model: model in which mental disorders differ in normal functioning in kind rather than degree
1. That the disorder may just be something else because the disorder of that person doesn’t add up to everything of the DSM
iii. That there is also a problem because some disorders rely on dimensional models: model in which a mental disorder differs from normal functioning in degree rather than kind
Term
Cognitive Dissonance
Definition
unpleasant mental experience of tension resulting from two conflicting thoughts or beliefs
Term
Prenatal
Definition
prior to birth
Term
Zygote
Definition
fertilized egg. After the zygote has been produced, three stages unfold; germinal stage, embryonic stage, and fetal stage
Term
Blastocyst
Definition
a ball of identical cells that haven’t yet begun to take on any specific function in a body part
Term
Germinal Stage
Definition
§ When the zygote begin to divide and double.
§ One week in, the blastocyst is just growing and cells are dividing
§ Two weeks in, the cells differentiate and start taking on different roles as the organs begin to develop
§ Once these cells start to perform different functions, the blastocyst becomes an embryo
Term
Embryo
Definition
second to eighth week of prenatal development during which limbs, facial features and major organs of the body take form.
Term
The embryonic stage
Definition
§ Major organs start to take shape from the second to eighth week
§ Things can go wrong here and the person can have a miscarriage without even knowing
Term
Fetal stage
Definition
when the heart begins to beat… when the embryo becomes a fetus
Term
Fetus
Definition
period of prenatal development from ninth week until birth after all major organs are established and physical maturation is the primary change.

§ This is where the fleshing out is taking place and the last third of the pregnancy is just for stuff like bulking the baby up
Term
18 days into the fetal stage
Definition
the brain starts to develop and continues to develop up to about our adulthood years
Term
Neurons develop between ....
Definition
18th day and 6th month- 250,000 neurons a minute during peak times. Those neurons have to migrate to their positions like te hippocampus and cerebellum
Term
Teratogen
Definition
an environmental factor that can exert a negative impact on prenatal development
Term
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Definition
condition resulting from high levels of prenatal alcohol exposure causing learning disabilities, physical growth retardation, facial malformations, and behavioral disorders
Term
Genetic Disruptions of Fetal Development
Definition
§ There is a break or error in a cell and when that cell gets copied over and over again, that error gets picked up and just becomes apart of the system
· Any abnormality can take place- birth mark to mental retardation
Term
Premature
Definition
before 36 weeks. 25 weeks can survive, 22 if you’re lucky
Term
Premature babies have...
Definition
underdeveloped lungs and often cannot engage in physiological functions
Term
Viability point
Definition
the point at which babies can typically survive on their own
Term
Infant motor Development
Definition
How babies get going
Term
Reflexes
Definition
automatic motor behaviors
Term
Sucking reflex
Definition
if you stick something in their mouth they’ll suck it
Term
Rooting reflex
Definition
if you stroke their cheek they move looking for a nipple to suck
Term
Motor Behaviors
Definition
bodily motions that occur as a result of self initiated force that moves the bone and muscles
Term
Adolescence
Definition
the transition between childhood and adulthood commonly associated with the teenage years
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