Key Words Flashcards
Abnormality
In psychology, behaviour that is neither typical or usual
A-B-C model
Refers to the three components of experience that can be used to judge whether an individuals belief system is distorted. A (activating event) leads to B (belief) and ultimately C (consequences)
Systematic de-sensitisation
Systematic de sensitisation is a form of psychological therapy based on the behavioural approach. It is used to treat phobias and other behaviour problems involving anxiety. A client gradually exposed to (or imagines) the threatening situation under relaxed conditions until the anxiety reaction is extinguished.
Acoustic
Refers to sound or the sense of hearing
Acronyms
A word or phrase formed from the initial letters of the item to be remembered
Acrostics
A sentence in which the first letter of each word spells out the message to be remembered
ACTH
Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) A hormone produced in the pituitary gland as a response to stress. Its principle effect is the release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex.
Activating event
In REBT, something that is believed to happen, to have happened or to be about to happen and that triggers irrational beliefs leading to emotional problems
Adaptive
Any physical or psychological characteristic that a handed an individual’s survival and reproduction, and is thus likely to be naturally selected
Adrenal cortex
A region of the adrenal gland. The adrenal cortex manufactures glucocorticoids (cortisol) and sex hormones(testosterone)
Adrenal medulla
Produces adrenaline and noradrenaline
Adrenaline
A hormone associated with arousal of the autonomic nervous system. It is also a neurotransmitter
Agentic shift
When people believe that they are acting on behalf of a authority figure, not for themselves
Agentic state
A state where people believe they are acting on behalf of an authority figure
Aim
A statement of what the researchers intent to find out in a research study
Anxiety
A nervous emotional state where we fear that something unpleasant is about to happen. People often become anxious when they are in stressful situations. Anxiety tends to be accompanied by physiological arousal
Articulatory process
A component of the phonological loop which acts as an inner voice ie words/sounds are verbally repeated
Articulatory suppression task
An activity that prevents rehearsal of words in the Articulatory loop
Attachment
An emotional bond between two people that endures over time. Leads to certain behaviours such as slinging and proximity seeking. Serves the function to protect infants
Attachment disorder
A psychiatric disorder characterised by an individuals inability to identify a preferred attachment type
Attachment type
Refers to whether a person is securely or insecurely attached ie the way you relate to others in the context of intimate relationships
Attrition
The loss of participants from a study over time. This is likely the leave a biased sample or a sample that is too small
Autonomic nervous system
Governs the body’s involuntary activities and is self regulating (autonomous). It is divided into the sympathetic branch (fight or flight) and the parasympathetic branch(rest and digest)
Autonomous state
A state where people take personal responsibility for their actions
Behaviour checklist
A systematic method for recording observations where a list of behavioural categories is used. The observer can note everytime any behaviour on the checklist is observed
Behavioural approach
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