Individual Differences - Level 4 Flashcards
Nomothetic
Psychologists who adopt this approach are mainly concerned with studying what we share with others.
Ideographic
Psychologists interested in this aspect of experience want to discover what makes each of us unique.
ABC format
Model used to illustrate the role of cognitions and behaviours within us; particularly concentrates on how people become emotionally disturbed or self-defeating. In other words, from the adversities (A), individuals bring their beliefs, values, purposes, etc. (B) to these As. They then feel and act ‘disturbedly’ at point (C) – their emotional and behavioural consequences. The key to learning optimism lies in the formation of belief (at B); in other words, how you may think and feel about bad things, or misfortunes (adversity – A) will actually determine the consequences (C) that you will face.
Ability traits
Traits that determine how well you deal with a particular situation and how well you reach whatever your goal is in that situation.
Above-average ability
Within Renzulli’s three-ring theory of giftedness, above-average ability, at a general level, represents high levels of abstract thought, adaptation to novel situations and the ability to retrieve information rapidly and accurately.
Abreaction
The discharge of upsetting emotions relating to
their conflicts, in a therapy session.
Abstract conceptualisation
Learning by creating theories to
explain our observations and behaviours.
Abstract reasoning
To use the faculty of reason; think logically
with abstract material.
Acceptance of uncertainty
Refers to individuals who completely accept the fact that we live in a world of probability and chance, where there are not – and probably never will be – any
absolute certainties.
Accommodating
A learning style that is a combination of concrete experience and active experimentation.
Activating event
Within Ellis’ ABC model, the activating event (A in the model) is usually an event of an unpleasant nature that causes some unhappiness.
Active experimentation
Learning by using theories to solve problems and make decisions.
Actual selves
A term to describe how individuals really state, how they really are (as opposed to ideal selves).
Adaptability scales
In the emotional intelligence literature, this is the ability to manage and control emotions.
Adaptation
A biological structure, process or behaviour of a member of the species that enabled members’ species to survive in response to the (changed) environment, not only over other species but also over other members of the same species.
Additive genetic variance
Variation caused by the effects of numerous genes which combine in the defining of phenotypic
behaviour.
Admixture hypothesis
A hypothesis used to explain the relationship between birth order and IQ. What this hypothesis suggests is that parental intelligence and socioeconomic status are additional factors to consider in the relationship between birth order and IQ scores, coupled with the fact that parents with lower IQ scores tend to have more children.
Adoption studies
Studies where comparisons are made between siblings, twins, reared apart, parents (both biological and non-biological) and adopted children to examine the extent of genetic and environmental effects on behaviour and personality.
Affect regulation
An area used by Siever and Davis to describe the association between neurotransmitters and personality disorders relating to levels of regulation of feelings and mood.
Agency
A component of hope; reflects an individual’s determi-
nation that goals can be achieved; the mental determination or belief to go after that specific goal.
Aggregated individual discrimination
Part of social dominance theory; refers to the simple and sometimes unnoticeable individ-ual acts of discrimination by one individual against another.
Aggregated institutional discrimination
Part of social dominance theory; explains social hierarchy as the result of the procedures and actions of social institutions, such as the political organisations, church, courts and schools.
Agoraphobia
An abnormal fear of open or public places.
Agreeableness
Warm, trustful, courteous, agreeable, cooperative personality traits.
Alarm reaction
Where the nervous system becomes physically
aroused to cope with the demand for action.
Alpha range
A range within the wave signals provided by the brain. The alpha range is considered to reflect low states of arousal.
Altruism
Attitudes and behaviours that represent an unselfish
concern for the welfare of others.
Amygdala
A neural structure that is part of the temporal lobe
of the cerebrum; connected with the hypothalamus and the hippocampus. It is part of the limbic system and plays an important role in motivation and emotional behaviour.
Analogy
A comparison based on a similarity between two
things that are otherwise dissimilar.
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) – between subjects.
A parametric statistical test used to see whether a difference occurs between more than two groups of scores.
Analysis of variance – within subjects.
A parametric statistical test used when the same measure has been administered on three occasions or more.
Anthropomorphic projections
Attribution of human motivation, characteristics or behaviour to inanimate objects, animals or natural phenomena.
Antisocial personality disorder
Engages in persistent lying and stealing, has a lack of empathy for others, shows recklessness and consistently fails to plan or keep to long-term goals, shows an inability to make or maintain friends or personal relationships, has recurring difficulties with the law, unable to control their own anger and temper and shows a tendency to violate the rights and boundaries of others.
Antonyms
A word having a meaning opposite to that of another
word.
Anxiety
A psychological and physiological state characterised by
feelings that are typically associated with uneasiness, fear or worry.
Anxiety/inhibition
An area used by Siever and Davis to describe the association between neurotransmitters and personality disorders relating to levels of anxiety and inhibition.
Anxious–avoidant
A type of attachment style. An insecure attachment where children do not appear too distressed when separated from a caregiver, and, upon reunion, actively avoid seeking contact with their parent.
Anxious–resistant
A type of attachment style. An insecure attachment style where children are ill at ease, and upon separation from a caregiver they become distressed. When reunited
with their mother, these children have a difficult time being calmed down or soothed.
Applied value
The usefulness of a theory as containing rules that can be applied to solve problems.
Approach–approach conflict
Describes the situation where there are two equally desirable goals, but they are incompatible.
Approach–avoidance conflict
Describes the situation where there is one goal; but, while an element of it is attractive, an aspect of it is equally unattractive.
Armchair speculation
A methodology that can be used by anyone; it involves making good, unbiased observations of how people behave in certain situations and then generating and testing hypotheses about these behaviours. This method allows deep knowledge due to observations in different situations in life, as opposed to only within the therapy room.
