Exam 4 Flashcards
Social Psychology
studies interpersonal interaction and the causes and consequences of sociality
Empiricism
the idea that everything we know, we learned from those around us and our environment
Observational learning
-people learn by observing other people
Communication and emotional contagion
emotions help us communicate and our emotions can actually be contagious
groups and cooperation
people must adjust their behavior when interacting in groups
peoples opinions in a group affect each others opinions
-deindividuation
-conformity
-groupthink
The asch line study
studied conformity (a tendency to do what others do)
Nudge theory
people can be easily influenced to make desired decisions simply by a certain outcome being suggested.
EX) paying 5 cents for bags decreases how many people ask for bags
groupthink
group consensus dominated the decision making process, hiding the individual opinions of the group
desire for harmony
overrides realistic evaluations of decisions and alternatives
groupthink emerges when
need for agreement takes priority over motivation to obtain accurate information and make appropriate decisions
characteristics in groupthink (4) (CGSL)
- highly cohesive groups- more likely to reject deviant opinions
- group structure- people w similar backgrounds, strong leader, lack systematic procedures for making decisions
- stressful situations- provoke groupthink reassurance from others is highly desirable
- low knowledge- individuals lack knowledge or feel other members are more qualified
types of power (LRER)
- legitimate power- power given soley because of status
2.reward/ coercive power- power that comes from ability to reward or punish others
3.expert power- power gained by having expertise over others - referent power- power based on others respect for your character
Stanley milgram
conducted a series of experiments assessing obedience to authority
Bystander effect
as number of bystanders increases, person un need is less likely to receive help
emergency occurs
observers most likely to take action if no one else is around
Fundamental attribution error
we take one aspect about someone and make assumptions about who they are as a person
confirmation bias
we tend to seek out information that supports our beliefs while ignoring information that goes against them
availability heuristic
we use easily available information to make quick decisions, even if the available info is not fully representative of all info
Cognitive dissonance
state of psychological tension when you realize inconsistency between your actions and your beliefs
self-fulfilling prophecy
process by which expectations about a person eventually lead to that person behaving in ways that confirm those expectations
The escalation of commitment
the more time and resources spent on something, the less likely you’ll be able to walk away from it (even if walking away is the more logical solution)
Attractiveness
1.body shape
2.facial symmentry
3.age
The mere exposure effect
states that the more time we spend with someone, the more attractive they become
Aggression types
instrumental: planned violent behavior that is purposeful and helps to achieve some goal
hostile: violent behavior with the intent to do harm
theories of aggression:
-biological factors
-neurological differences
-hormone differences
-environmental factors
-psychological- violent people often mimic behaviors of others
-income inequality and murder are correlated
altruism
helping another person with no expectation of personal benefit or gain
Abnormal psychology
studies causes,criteria,and treatment of mental illness and disorders
mental disorder
a persistent disturbance or dysfunction in behavior,thought,or emotion that causes impairment.
classifying disorders
DSM: diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders:
a classification system that designates specific criteria which qualify a mental disorder.
what causes mental illness?
the biopsychosocial model: biological, psychological, and social factors influence the presence, severity, and manifestation of a mental disorder.
Phobias
persistent and irrational fear of specific object, situation of activity
panic disorder
involves the sudden onset of terror
-sweating, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, nausea,dizziness,depersonalization
agoraphobia
a specific phobia involving the fear of public places
generalized anxiety disorders
characterized by chronic and excessive worrying, accompanied by 3 of the following: restlessness, fatigue, concentration problems, irritability, muscle tension, sleeping disturbances
mania
a state of abnormally elevated levels of energy, identified by grandiose ideas and sense of self
Major depressive disorder
severely depressed mood which lasts 2 weeks or more
bipolar disorder
involves rotating periods of mania and depression
types I and II- differs in severity of manic episodes
seasonal affective disorder
ones mood experiences a significant change during a specific season or time period of the year
personality disorder clusters (3)
- odd/eccentric
2.dramatc/erratic
3.anxious/inhibited
odd/eccentric
- paranoid personality disorder: involves routine distrust in others and the consistent assumption that people have sinister motives
-schizoid personality disorder: extreme introversion, prefers to distance themselves from others
-schizotypical: strong feelings of “magical thinking”, engage in behaviors and thoughts that deviate
dramatic/erratic
-antisocial PD: pervasive disregard for morals, feelings, or needs of others
Sociopath
has a sense of morality, but still may engage in deviant behavior without remorse
psychopath
no sense of morality and no remorse
borderline PD:
unstable mood, unpredictable, manipulators
histrionic PD
attention seeking, grandiose gestures and speech, exaggerated illness, excessively flirtatious, belief that everyone loves them
Narcissistic PD
inflated sense of self-importance, exaggerates achievements, assumes other will recognize them as superior, tends to exploit others, fantasies of personal success
Anxious/ inhibited
avoidant and dependent PD
avoidant: involves intense longing for social contact, avoids due to fear of rejection
dependent: requires excessive approval from others
OCP obsessive compulsive personality
needs everything to be done perfectly
OCD
repetitive intrusive thoughts, functions of compulsions decrease stress associated with obsessions , behaviors must be carried out in certain sequence
psychotic disorders
schizophrenia: extreme disruption of basic psych process, distorted perception of reality, alerted or blunted emotion, disturbances in thought, motivation, and behavior
Childhood and adolescent disorders
-ADHD: persistent pattern of severe problems with inattention and or hyperactivity or impulsiveness that causes significant impairments in functioning
-Autism spectrum disorder: shows persistent communication deficits as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities
history of mental illness treatment
-associated w witchcraft/possession of evil spirits
-drilling hole in skull to release demons
-prefrontal lobotomy: treats severe psychosis
-institutionalization (l1st asylum- bethlehem in london
dorthea dix -1800s
nurse who advocated for humane treatment of the mentally ill
psychopharmacology
medications to treat symptoms of mental illness
psychotherapy
“talk therapy”
-interaction between trained therapist and client
-therapist helps clients identify and change problematic cognitions, feelings, and behaviors
forms of psychotherapy
individual: based on relationship between client an therapist
group therapy: therapist works w several people at once
family and couples therapy
eclecticism: combine different therapies
psychodynamic therapy
goals:
-bring repressed feelings into conscious awareness
-gain insight into unconscious thoughts, behaviors, and motives via psychoanalysis
behavioral modification
changing a specific problematic behavior; examines current behavior
behavioral therapy
assumes:
-behavior is learned
-symptom relief achieved via changing overt, maladaptive behaviors
exposure therapy
confront emotion- arousing stimulus directly and repeatedly, ultimately leading to decrease in emotional response
cognitive therapy
identify and correct distorted thinking about self, others, or the world
cognitive behavioral therapy
blend of cognitive and behavioral strategies
-problem focused
-action oriented
-encourage transparency between therapist and client
antidepressants
SSRIs most commonly used
-drugs: prozac,celexa,lexapro,zoloft
-high rate of effectiveness and low rate of side effects
inhibit the reuptake of serotonin in synapse
electroconvulsive therapy
electrical currents delivered to the brain- induces seizures that minimize symptoms
-modernized ECT- now safe and effective for severe depressive and/or manic symptoms
transcranial magnetic stimulation
uses magnetic fields to stimulate neuronal activity and improve depressive symptoms
-a non-invasive procedure to help fight depression. it uses a magnetic pulse to stimulate brain cells that control mood.
