Term
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Definition
the creation of new cognitive schemas when objects, experiences, or other information does not fit with existing schemas |
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Definition
| the firing on a neuron. Occurs when the charge inside the neuron becomes more positive than the charge outside |
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Definition
| behavior that is unselfish and may even be detrimental but which benefits others |
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Definition
| loss of memory. Usually only a partial loss such as for a period of time or biographical information |
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Definition
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Definition
| the physiological and psychological reaction to an expected danger, whether real or imagined |
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| the impairment of the ability to communicate either through oral or written discourse as a result of brain damage |
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| the theory stating that we are motivated by our innate desire to maintain an optimal level of arousal |
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| incorporating objects, experiences, or information into existing schemas |
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Definition
| the phenomenon in learning that states we are better able to remember information if it is paired with something we are familiar with or otherwise stands out |
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Definition
| the strong bond a child forms with his or her primary caregiver |
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Definition
| an idea or belief about the etiology of a certain behavior |
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Definition
| parenting style focused on setting reasonable rules and expectations while encouraging communication and independence |
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Definition
| parenting style focused on setting reasonable rules and expectations whie encouraging communication and independence |
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Definition
a rule of thumb stating that information more readily available in our memory is more important than information not as easily accessible |
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Definition
| a type of behavioral treatment where an aversive stimuli is paired with a negative behavior in hopes that the behavior will change in the future to avoid aversive stimuli |
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Definition
| the tail-like part of the neuron through which information exits the cell |
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Definition
| the application of behavioral theory to change a specific behavior |
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Definition
| the application of behavioral theory (e.g. conditioning, reinforcement) in the treatment of mental illness |
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Definition
| the school of psychology founded on the premise that behavior is measureable and can be changed through the application of various behavioral principles |
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Definition
| being attracted to or aroused by members of both genders. See Sexual Orientation |
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Definition
| as a way to avoid the placebo effect in research, this type of study is designed without the subject's knowledge of the anticipated results and sometimes even the nature of the study. The subjects are said to be 'blind' to the expected results |
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Definition
| an aphasia associated with damage to the Broca's area of the brain, demonstrated by the impairmet in producing understandable speech. |
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Definition
| changes in thoughts, emotions, and behavior as a result of extended job stress and unrewarded repetition of duties. Burnout is seen as extreme dissatisfaction, pessimism, lowered job satisfaction, and a desire to quit. |
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Definition
| the main part of a neuron where the information is processed |
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| a young child's tendency to focus only on his or her own perspective of a specific object and a failure to understand that others may see things differently |
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Definition
| a generic term for the idea that chemicals in the brain are either too scarce or too abundant resulting in a mental disorder such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder |
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| the behavioral technique of pairing a naturally occuring stimulus and response chain with a different stimulus in order to produce a response which is not naturally occuring |
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Definition
| a humanistic therapy based on Carl Roger's beliefs than an individual has an unlimited capacity for psychological growth and will continue to grow unless barriers are placed in the way |
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Definition
| power derived through the ability to punish |
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Definition
| the process of receiving, processing, storing, and using information |
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Term
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy |
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Definition
| treatment involving the combination of behaviorism (based on the theories of learning) and cognitive therapy (based on the theory that our cognitions or thoughts control a large portion of our behaviors). |
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Definition
| the realization of contradictions in one's own attitudes and behaviors |
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Definition
| the treatment approach based on the theory that our cognitions or thoughts control a large part of our behaviors and emotions. Therefore, changing the way we think can result in positive changes in the way we act and feel. |
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Definition
| the physical act resulting from an obsession. Typically a compulsive act is done in an attempt to alleviate the discomfort created by an obsession. |
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Definition
| the response in a stimulus-response chain that is not naturally occuring, but rather has been learned through its pairing with a naturally occuring chain. |
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Definition
| the stimulus in a stimulus-response chain that is not naturally ocuring, but rather has been learned through its pairing with a naturally occuring chain |
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Term
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Definition
| the process of learning new behaviors or responses as a result of their consequences |
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Definition
| changing your attitudes, beliefs, thoughts, or behaviors in order to be more consistent with others |
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Definition
| awareness of yourself and the world around you |
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Definition
| the understanding, typically achieved in later childhood, that matter remains the same even when the shape changes (i.e., a pound of clay is still a pound of clay whether it is rolled in a ball or pounded flat) |
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Definition
| the physiological changes in the brain associated with memory storage |
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Term
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Definition
| the failure to store information in memory |
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Term
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Definition
| the theory that information learned in a particular situation or place is better remembered when in that same situation or place |
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Term
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Definition
the application of reinforcement every time a specific behavior occurs |
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Term
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Definition
| the group of subjects in an experiment that does not receive the independent variable |
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Term
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Definition
| statistical representation of a relationship between two or more variables which does not determine cause or effect |
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Term
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Definition
| a time frame deemed highly important in developing a healthy manner; can be physically, emotionally, behaviorally, or cognitively |
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Term
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Definition
| the psychological and physiological response to the belief that there are two many people in a specified area |
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Term
| Crystallized Intelligence |
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Definition
| the part of intelligence which involves the acquisition, as opposed to the use of information |
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Term
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Definition
| theory which states that memory fades and/or disappears over time if it is not used or accessed |
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Term
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Definition
| the part of long term memory where factual information is stored, such as mathematical formulas, vocabulary, and life events |
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Term
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Definition
| decision making process in which ideas are processed from the general to the specific |
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Term
| Defenses (Defense Mechanisms) |
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Definition
| psychological forces which prevent undesirable or inappropriate impulses from entering cnsciousness (e.g., forgetting responsibilities that we really didn't want to do, projecting anger onto a spouse as opposed to your boss). Also called Defense Mechanisms. Defense System, or Ego Defenses. |
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Term
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Definition
| false belief system (e.g., believing you are Napoleon, have magical powers or the false belief that others are 'out to get you') |
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Term
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Definition
| the variable in an experiment that is measured; the outcome of an experiment. |
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Term
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Definition
| the area of psychology focused on how children grow psychologically to become who they are as adults |
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Term
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Definition
| the smallest change in perception which is noticeable at least 50% of the time |
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Term
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Definition
| in behavioral theory, the learned ability to differentiate between two similar objects or situations |
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Term
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Definition
| inability to recognize or be aware of who we are (person), what we are doing (situation), the time and date (time), or where we are in relation to our environment (place). To be considered a problem, it must be consistent, result in difficulty functioning, and not due to forgetting or being lost |
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Term
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Definition
| the pushing of older information in short term memory to make room for new information |
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Term
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Definition
| a seperation from the self, with the most severe resulting in Dissociative Identity Disorder. Most of us experience this in very mild forms such as when we are driving long distance and lose time or find ourselves day dreaming longer than we thought. |
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Term
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Definition
| the phenomenon in memory that states we are better able to remember information if it is distinctive or different from other information |
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Term
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Definition
| the ability to use previously gained information to debate or discuss issues which have no agreed upon definitive resolution |
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Term
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Definition
| research method in which both the subjects and the experimenter are unaware or 'blind' to the anticipated results |
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Term
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Definition
| an internal motivation to fulfill a need or reduce the negative aspects of an unpleasant situation |
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Definition
in psychoanalytical theory, the part of the personality which maintains a balance between our impulses (id) and our conscience (superego) |
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Term
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Definition
| a cognitive Psychologist which developed the concept of Rational-Emotive Therapy |
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Term
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Definition
| feelings about a situation, person, or objects that involves changes in physiological arousal and cognitions |
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Term
| Emotional Intelligence (EQ) |
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Definition
| the awareness of and ability to manage one's emotions in a healthy and productive manner |
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Term
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Definition
| the transformation of information to be stored in memory |
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Term
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Definition
| Subcategory of Declarative memory where information regarding life events are stored |
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Term
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Definition
| causal relationships of diseases; theories regarding how the specific disease or disorder began |
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Term
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Definition
| in research, the group of subjects who receive the independent variable |
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Term
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Definition
| research method using method assignment of subjects and the manipulation of variables in order to determine cause and effect |
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Term
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Definition
| Errors in a research study due to the predisposed notions or beliefs of the experimenter |
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Term
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Definition
| power derived through advanced knowledge or experience in a particular subject |
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Term
| External Locus of Control |
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Definition
| the belief that the environment has more control over life circumstances than the individual does |
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Term
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Definition
| the reduction and eventual disappearance of a learned or conditioned response after it is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus-response chain |
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Term
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Definition
| the desire or push to perform a certain behavior based on the potential external rewards that may be received as a result. |
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Term
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Definition
| a statistical technique used to determine the number of components in a set of data.These components are then named according to their characteristics allowing a researcher to break down information into statistical groups |
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Term
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Definition
| treatment involving family members which seeks to change the unhealthy familial paterns and interactions |
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Term
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Definition
| in Freud's theory of psychosexual development, the failure to complete a stage successfully which results in a continuation of that stage into later adulthood. |
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Term
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Definition
| a schedule in which the reinforcement is presented after a specific period of time |
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Term
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Definition
| a schedule in which the reinforcement is presented after a specifi number of responses |
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Term
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Definition
| a condition in which arousal and/or sexual gratification is attained through inanimate objects (shoes, pantyhouse) or non-sexual body parts (feet, hair). Is considered a problem when the object is needed in order to obtain arousal or gratification and the individual can not complete a sexual act without this object present |
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Term
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Definition
| the phenomenon in memory which states that we tend to remember information better if it is repeated |
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Term
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Definition
| Dr. Freud is often referred to as the father of clinical psychology. His extensive theory of personality development (psychoanalytical theory) is the cornerstone for modern psychological thought and consisits of (1) the psychosexual stages of development, (2) the structural model of personality (id, ego, superego) and (3) levels of consciousness (conscious, subconscious, and unconscious). See Psychoanalysis |
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Term
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Definition
| a behavioral technique used to treat phobias which the client is prevented with the feared stimulus until the associated anxiety disappears |
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Term
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Definition
| the part of intelligence which involves the use, as opposed to the acquisition of information |
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Term
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Definition
| presenting information either positively or negatively in order to change the influence is has on an individual or group |
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Term
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Definition
| the psychoanalytic technique of allowing a patient to talk without direction or input in order to analyze current issues of the client |
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Term
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Definition
| the lobe at the front of the brain associated with movement, speech, and impulsive behavior |
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Term
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Definition
| the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors associated with not achieving a particular goal or the belief that a goal has been prematurely interrupted |
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Term
| Fundamental Attribution Error |
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Definition
| the tendency to over estimate the internal attribute of another person's actions |
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Term
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Definition
| the internal sense of being either male or female. Usually congruent with biological gender, but not alwys as in Gender Identity Disorder |
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Term
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Definition
the accepted behaviors, thoughts, and emotions of a specific gender based upon the views of a particular society or culture |
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Term
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Definition
| the process of developing the behaviors, thoughts, and emotions associated with a particular gender |
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Term
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Definition
| the tendency to associate stimuli, and therefore respong similarly to, due to their closeness on some variable such as size, shape, color, or meaning |
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Term
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Definition
| German word typically translated as meaning 'whole' or 'form' |
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Term
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Definition
| treatment focusing on the awareness and understang of one's feelings |
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Term
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Definition
| the tendency for members of a cohesive group to make more extreme decisions due to the lack of opposing views |
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Term
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Definition
| psychotherapy conducted with at least three or four non-related individuals who are similar in some ways such as gender, age, mental illnesses or presenting problem |
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Term
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Definition
| the tendency for members of a cohesive group to reach decisions without weighing all the facts, especially those contradicting the majority opinion |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| the decrease in response to a stimulus due to repetition (e.g., not hearing the ticking of a clock after getting used to it) |
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Term
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Definition
| false perception of reality (e.g., hearing voices that aren't there or seeing people who do not exist) [auditory (hearing); visual (sight); olfactory (smell); tactile (touch); and taste] |
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Term
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Definition
| the tendency to assign generally positive or generally negative traits to a person after observing one specific positive or negative trait, respectively. |
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Term
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Definition
| the specific field of psychology concerned with psychology's impact on health, physical well being, and illness. |
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Term
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Definition
being attracted to or aroused by members of the opposite gender. See sexual orientation. |
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Term
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Definition
| a rule of thumb based on experience used to make decisions |
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Term
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Definition
| Maslow's Theory of Motivation which states that we must achieve lower level needs, such as food, shelter, and safety before we can achieve higher level needs, such as belonging, esteem and self-actualization. |
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Term
| Higher Order Conditioning |
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Definition
| Pairing a second conditioned stimulus with the first conditioned stimulus in order to produce a second conditioned response. |
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Term
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Definition
| the tendency of the body (and the mind) to naturally gravitiate toward a state of equilibrium or balance |
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Term
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Definition
| an irrational hostility, hatred, or fear of homosexuals. |
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Term
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Definition
| being attracted to or aroused by members of the same gender. See sexual Orientation. |
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Term
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Definition
| a theoretical view of human nature which stresses a positive view of human nature and the strong belief in psychological homeostasis |
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Term
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Definition
| treatment focused on increasing awareness of one's self concept. |
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Term
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Definition
| a deep state of relaxation where an individual is more susceptible to suggestions. |
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Term
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Definition
a trained, and often licensed, therapist who utilizes the therapeutic of hypnosis as part of a treatment regimen. |
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Term
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Definition
| an individual, most likely unlicensed, who uses hypnosis techniques or variations of these techniques for a variety of reasons, including treatment and/or entertainment. |
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Term
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Definition
| a prediction about the relationship between two or more variables. |
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Term
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Definition
| in Psychoanalytical theory, the part of the personality which contains our primitive impulses such as anger, sex and hunger. |
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Term
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Definition
| misperception of reality (e.g., the illusion of a lake in the middle of the desert) |
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Term
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Definition
| utilizing the mind to create a mental representation of a sensory experience. |
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Term
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Definition
| expressing contradictory behavior when describing or experiencing an emotion (e.g., smiling when discussing something sad; laughing when talking about the death of a loved one). |
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Term
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Definition
| the variable in an experiment that is manipulated or compared. |
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Term
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Definition
| decision making process in which ideas are processed from the specific to the general. |
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Term
| Industrial/Organizational Psychology |
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Definition
| the area or specialty in psychology focused on the application of psychological principles in the work force. |
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Term
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Definition
| occuring without learning, inborn. |
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Term
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Definition
| the understanding of a relationship between current thoughts, feelings, and/or behaviors and where these originated or how they are maintained. |
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Term
| Internal Locus of Control |
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Definition
| the belief that an individual has more control over life circumstances than the environment does. |
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Term
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Definition
| a behavior we are born with and therefore does not need to be learned. |
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Term
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Definition
| the ability to adapt to one's environment. |
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Term
| Intelligence Quotient (IQ) |
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Definition
| the score achieved on psychological tests aimed at quatifying intellectual ability |
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Term
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Definition
| the motivation or desire to do something based on the enjoyment of the behavior itself rather than relying on or requiring external reinforcement |
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Term
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Definition
| the tendency to focus energy inward resulting in decreased social interaction. |
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Term
| Just Noticeable Difference |
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Definition
| the smallest change in a sensory perception that is detectable 50% of the time. |
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Term
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Definition
| learning that occurs without apparent reinforcement but is not demonstrated until some time after a reinforcent occurs. |
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Term
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Definition
| theory proposed by Thorndike stating that those responses that are followed by a positive consequence will be repeated more frequently than those that are not. |
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Term
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Definition
| a condition that occurs after a period of negative consequences where the person beigns to believe they have no control. |
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Term
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Definition
| based on the idea that changes in behavior result more from experience and less from personality or how we thinl or feel about a situation. |
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Term
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Definition
| power derived through one's position, such as police officer or elected official. |
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Term
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Definition
| Sigmund Freud's terminology of sexual energy or sexual drive. |
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Term
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Definition
| a belief about the amount of control a person has over situations in their life. |
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Term
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Definition
| relatively permanent memory |
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Term
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Definition
| a dream in which you are aware of dreaming and are sometimes able to manipulate the dream. |
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Term
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Definition
| changes due to the natural process of aging as determined by your genetics |
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Term
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Definition
| a method of determining an average where the sum of the scores are divided by the number of scores. |
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Term
| Measure of Central Tendency |
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Definition
| an average (see Mean, Median, and/or Mode). |
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Term
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Definition
| a method of determining an average by using the score that falls in the middle of the distribution. |
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Term
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2nd Edition |
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Definition
| an objective test utilizing 567 items which have been empirically derived to measure a variety of psychological concerns. |
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Term
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Definition
| a method of determining an average by using the score(s) which occurs most frequently. |
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Term
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Definition
| the process that energizes and/or maintains a behavior |
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Term
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Definition
| a research method where the subject(s) is (are) observed without interruption under normal or natural circumstances. |
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Term
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Definition
| a correlation where as one variable increases, the other decreases. |
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Term
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Definition
| a chemical found in animals that plays a role in our behavior, cognitions, and emotions. |
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Term
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Definition
| a frightening dream occuring in REM sleep. |
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Term
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Definition
| a subsystem within Long Term Memory which consists of skills we acquire through repetition and practice (e.g., dance, playing the piano, driving a car) |
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Term
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Definition
| a graphical interpretation of a population that is greater bell shaped= as it has the highest frquency in the middle and this frequency diminishes the farther you get from the center on the either end. |
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Term
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Definition
| an expectation based on multiple observations |
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Term
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Definition
| the understanding that objects exist even when they are not directly observed. |
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Term
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Definition
| a generic term for the psychological procedures used to measure personality which rely on measurable or objective techniques such as the MMPI-2 and WAIS-III. |
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Term
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Definition
| a persistent and seemingly uncontrollable thought |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| learning that occurs due to the manipulation of the possible consequences. |
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Term
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Definition
| a technique used to imporve memory where information is learned to the point that it can be repeated without mistake more than one time. |
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