Exam 1 Psych of Adjustment

Question 1

hedonic adaptation

Answer 1

the tendency for the mental scale that people use to judge their experiences shifts

Question 2

Overlearning

Answer 2

Continued rehearsal of material after one first appears to have mastered it.

Question 3

mnemonic device

Answer 3

method of improving memory by associating new information with previously learned information

Question 4

independent variable

Answer 4

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.

Question 5

experiment

Answer 5

research method designed to discover whether changes in one variable cause changes in another variable

Question 6

psychology

Answer 6

the scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Question 7

affective forecasting

Answer 7

efforts to predict one’s emotional reactions to future events

Question 8

adjustment

Answer 8

set of psychological processes through which people manage the demands and challenges of everyday life

Question 9

naturalistic observation

Answer 9

research method involving careful examination of behavior without intervening directly with the subjects

Question 10

experimental group

Answer 10

the group in an experiment that receives the variable being tested

Question 11

correlation coefficient

Answer 11

numerical index of the degree of relationship that exists between two variables

Question 12

narcissism

Answer 12

personality trait marked by an inflated sense of importance and need for attention and admiration

Question 13

subjective well-being

Answer 13

individuals’ personal perceptions of their overall happiness and life satisfaction

Question 14

behavior

Answer 14

observable actions of human beings and nonhuman animals

Question 15

control group

Answer 15

the group that does not receive the experimental treatment.

Question 16

dependent variable

Answer 16

condition or event thought to be affected by manipulations of another condition or event

Question 17

case study

Answer 17

study of one individual in great detail

Question 18

clinical psychology

Answer 18

The branch of psychology concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of psychological problems and disorders.

Question 19

Correlation

Answer 19

A measure of the relationship between two variables

Question 20

Empiricism

Answer 20

the belief that accurate knowledge can be acquired through observation

Question 21

survey

Answer 21

structured questionnaire or interview designed to solicit information about participants’ behavior, attitudes, and beliefs

Question 22

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Answer 22

A prolonged and severe stress reaction to a scary event (chronic stress)

Question 23

psychosomatic disease

Answer 23

Physical ailments caused in part by psychological factors, especially emotion distress

Question 24

social support

Answer 24

the aid gained through interacting with others

Question 25

Hardiness

Answer 25

set of attitudes marked by a sense of control over events, commitment to life and work, and courage and motivation to confront stressful events

Question 26

optimism

Answer 26

A general tendency to expect good outcomes.