Final Exam Review Flashcards
Biological Perspective
An approach that uses knowledge about underlying physiology to explain behavior and mental processes
Behavioral Perspective
An approach suggesting that behavior is primarily learned through associations, reinforcers, and observation
Cognitive Perspective
An approach examining mental processes that direct behavior
Humanitistic Psychology
An approach suggesting that human nature is by and large positive, and human direction is toward growth
Psychoanalytic Perspective
An approach developed by Frued suggesting that behavior and personality are shaped by unconscious conflicts
Hypothesis
A statement that can be used to test a prediction
Independent Variable
In the experimental method, the variable manipulated by the researcher to determine its effect on the dependent variable
Dependent Variable
In the experimental method, the characteristic or response that is measured to determine the effect of the researcher’s manipulation
Experimental Group
The participants in an experiment who are exposed to the treatment variable or manipulation by the researcher
Control Group
The participants in an experiment who are not exposed to the treatment variable
Case Study
A type of descriptive research that closely examines an individual or small group
Naturalistic Observation
A type of descriptive research that studies participants in their natural environment through systematic observation
Survey Method
A type of descriptive research that uses questionnaires or interviews to gather data
Experimental Method
A type of research that manipulates a variable of interest to uncover cause-and-effect relationships
Correlational Method
A type of research examining relationships among variables
Correlation Coefficient
The statistical measure that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables
Random Assignment
The process of appointing study participants to experimental or control groups, ensuring that every person has an equal chance of being assigned to either
Computed Tomography (CT or CAT)
a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce images of the brain
PET Scan
an imaging test that produces images of your brain at work; uses a tracer to look for disease or injury
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computergenerated images of brain tissue
Axon
Skinny tube-like structure of a neuron that extends from the cell body, and that sends messages to other neurons through it’s axon terminals
Dendrites
Tiny, branchlike fibers extending from the cell body that recieve messages from other neurons and send information in the direction of the cell body
Soma
The cell body of a neuron containing the nucleus of the cell
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that neurons use to communicate at the synapse
Acetylcholine
Neurotransmitter responsible for muscle movement, memory, arousal, and attention
Dopamine
Neurotransmitter responsible for coordination of muscle movement, attention, and please
GABA
Neurotransmitter that inhibits communication between neurons
Glutamate
Neurotransmitter that promotes communication between neurons
Serotonin
Neurotransmitter that effects mood, appetite, aggression, and sleep
Norepinephrine
Neurotransmitter that helps prepare the body for stressful situations
Thalamus
Processes and relays sensory information to the cortex
Hypothalamus
Keeps the body’s systems in a steady state
Amygdala
Processes aggression and basic emotions like fear, and the memories associated with them
Hippocampus
Primarily responsible for processing and forming new memories from experiences
Pons
Helps regulate sleep-wake cycles and coordinates movement between the right and left sides of the body
Medulla
Oversees functions such as breathing and heart rate
Cerebellum
Involved in muscle coordination and balance
Wernicke’s Area
responsible for language comprehension
Broca’s Area
responsible for language production
Classical Conditioning
Learning process in which two stimuli become associated with each other; when an originally neutral stimulus is conditioned to elicit an involuntary response
Extinction (Classical)
The process in which the conditioned response decreases after repeated exposure to the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus
Extinction (Operant)
The disappearance of a learned behavior through the removal of its reinforcer
Operant Conditioning
Learning that occurs when voluntary actions become associated with their consequences
Stimulus Discrimination
The abilitiy to differentiate between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli sufficiently different from it
Stimulus Generalization
The tendency for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit the conditioned response
Secondary Reinforcer
A reinforcer that does not satisfy a biological need but often gains power through its association with a primary reinforcer
Primary Reinforcer
A reinforcer that satisfies a biological need
Procedural Memory
The unconscious memory of how to carry out a variety of skills and activities
Episodic Memory
The record of memorable experiences or “episodes” including when and where they occurred
Sensory Memory
A stage of memory that captures near-exact copies of vast amounts of sensory stimuli for a very brief period of time
Short-Term Memory
A stage of memory that temporarily maintains and processes a limited amount of information
Long-Term Memory
A stage of memory with essentially unlimited capacity and the ability to store information indefinitely
Erickson’s Psychosocial Stages (in orfer)
Trust vs. Mistrust, Autonomy vs. Shame, Initiative vs. Guilt, Industry vs. Inferiority, Identity vs. Confusion, Initmacy vs. Isolation, Generativity vs. Stagnation, Integrity vs. Despair
Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development
Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, Formal Operational
Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development
Pre-Conventional (Avoiding Punishment, Self-Interest), Conventional (Social Acceptance, Law and Order), Post-Conventional (Social Contract, Principle)
Anxiety Disorders
A group of psychological disorders associated with extreme anxiety and/or debilitating, irrational fears
Schizophrenia
A disabling psychological disorder that can include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and abnormal motor behavior
Typicality
Degree to which behavior is atypical, meaning rarely seen or statistically abnormal
Dysfunction
Degree to which behavior interferes with daily life and relationships
Distress
Degree to which behavior or emotions cause an individual to feel upset or uncomfortable
Deviance
Degree to which behavior is considered outside the standards or rules of society
Behavior Therapy
A type of therapy that focuses on behavioral change
Cognitive Therapy
A type of therapy aimed at addressing the maladaptive thinking that leads to maladaptive behaviors and feelings
Humanistic Therapy
A type of insight therapy that emphasizes the positive nature of humankind
Psychodynamic Therapy
A type of insight therapy that incorporates core psychoanalytic themes, including the idea that personality and behaviors can be traced to unconscious conflicts and past experiences
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Physiological, Safety, Love and Belonging, Esteem, Self-Actualization
Social-Cognitive Perspective
Suggests that personality results from relationships and other environmental factors and patterns of thinking
Achievement Tests
Tests designed to assess accquired knowledge, such as the SAT or ACT
Aptitude Tests
Tests designed to assess a person’s potential for future learning, such as an IQ test
Rorschach Inkblots
A projective personality test in which the administer shows five cards of monochrome ink plots, asking what you see
