Chapter 8 / Psychological Approaches Flashcards
IQ (intelligence quotient)
A standardized measure of intelligence used by psychologists.
feeble-mindedness
A term used in the 19th century to describe individuals with low intelligence or low IQ.
psychoanalysis
A therapeutic technique in psychiatry and philosophy pioneered by Sigmund Freud.
id
An aspect of Freud’s theory of personality; the impulsive part of one’s personality.
pleasure principle
The notion that one should maximize pleasure and minimize pain.
superego
An aspect of Freud’s theory of personality; one’s moral compass, conscience, and ethical principles.
ego
An aspect of Freud’s theory of personality; the aspect of personality that helps negotiate the demands of the real world.
reality principle
The notion that one should access the demands of the real world and act accordingly.
neurotic
According to psychoanalytic theory, a condition that results from an overactive superego.
APD (anti-social personality disorder)
A personality disorder characterized by a lack of morality, impulsivity, and aggressive behaviour; individuals with APD often have a history of criminal behaviour.
extraversion (E)
A person’s activity level; people high in extraversion enjoy social interaction and being around groups of people, while people low in extraversion generally prefer solitude and quiet conversations with those close to them
neuroticism (N)
A person’s excitability level and emotional stability; highly neurotic people tend to be emotionally unstable and overreact to minor situations.
psychoticism (P)
A measure of attributes such as aggression, empathy, and tough-mindedness; those who score high in psychoticism tend to be cold, callous, and manipulative.
cortical arousal
Activation of the reticular formation of the brain.
behaviourism
A learning theory that suggests all behaviours can be shaped by rewards and punishments.
