People to Know and Intro

Question 1

Wilhelm Wundt

Answer 1

known to posterity as the “father of experimental psychology” and the founder of the first psychology laboratory

Question 2

Ivan Pavlov

Answer 2

Russian physiologist known chiefly for his development of the concept of the conditioned reflex

Question 3

B.F. Skinner

Answer 3

best known for developing the theory of Operant Conditioning, which uses reinforcers or consequences to change behavior
according to this theory, the rate at which a certain behavior occurs is determined not by what precedes it, but by the consequence that follows it

Question 4

Abraham Maslow

Answer 4

an American psychologist who developed a hierarchy of needs to explain human motivation
his theory suggested that people have a number of basic needs that must be met before people move up the hierarchy to pursue more social, emotional, and self-actualizing needs

Question 5

Sigmund Freud

Answer 5

an Austrian neurologist born in 1856, is often referred to as the “father of modern psychology.” Freud revolutionized how we think about and treat mental health conditions. Freud founded psychoanalysis as a way of listening to patients and better understanding how their minds work.

Question 6

John B. Watson

Answer 6

a pioneering psychologist who played an important role in developing behaviorism. He is remembered for his research on the conditioning process. Watson is also known for the Little Albert experiment, in which he demonstrated that a child could be conditioned to fear a previously neutral stimulus

Question 7

nature vs. nurture issue

Answer 7

the longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors. Today’s science views traits and behaviors as arising from the interaction of nature and nurture.

Question 8

basic research

Answer 8

also known as fundamental or pure research—refers to study and research meant to increase our scientific knowledge base. This type of research is often purely theoretical, with the intent of increasing our understanding of certain phenomena or behavior

Question 9

applied research

Answer 9

a scientific study within the field of psychology that focuses on solving problems and innovating new technologies. Its main purpose is to conduct scientific research and apply it to real-world situations

Question 10

psychiatry

Answer 10

the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (an M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in mental health, including substance use disorders.

Question 11

hindsight bias

Answer 11

the tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it. (Also known as the I-knew-it-all-along phenomenon.)

Question 12

critical thinking

Answer 12

thinking that does not automatically accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

Question 13

obedience

Answer 13

a form of social influence that involves acting on the orders of an authority figure. It often involves actions a person would not have taken unless they were directed to do so by someone of authority or influence.

Question 14

ghrelin

Answer 14

a hormone that is known as an appetite increaser. It is released in the stomach and stimulates the hypothalamus to increase appetite. If a person’s bodily resources are low, or if they are not eating enough, this leads to an increase in ghrelin levels.

Question 15

leptin

Answer 15

a hormone produced primarily by adipose (fat) tissue that plays a crucial role in regulating hunger, appetite, and energy balance within the body

Question 16

individualism

Answer 16

a social or cultural tradition, ideology, or personal outlook that emphasizes the individual and their rights, independence, and relationships with other individuals

Question 17

collectivism

Answer 17

a worldview in which social behavior is guided largely by goals that are shared by a collective, such as a family, tribe, work group, or political or religious association. Interdependence and group solidarity are valued

Question 18

multiculturalism

Answer 18

The belief in the equal coexistence and recognition of multiple cultures within a society

Question 19

ego

Answer 19

the part of the mind that mediates between the conscious and unconscious, and is responsible for reality testing and a sense of personal identity.

Question 20

superego

Answer 20

the ethical component of the personality and provides the moral standards by which the ego operates

Question 21

defense mechanisms

Answer 21

According to Sigmund Freud, defense mechanisms are unconscious processes which protect people from painful feelings such as anxiety, guilt and shame; to enable the organism to survive a traumatic experience

Question 22

Rorschach inkblots

Answer 22

presents a patient with an ambiguous image and asks the patient to interpret what they see. This process would be of most use to a psychoanalyst, who aims to help the patient reveal their unconscious thoughts and desires

Question 23

thematic appreciation tests

Answer 23

a type of projective test (a personality test) that involves describing ambiguous scenes to learn more about a person’s emotions, motivations, and personality. Popularly known as the “picture interpretation technique”

Question 24

projective tests

Answer 24

a personality test in which subjects are shown ambiguous images or given situations and asked to interpret them

Question 25

intristic motivation

Answer 25

motivation to complete a behavior because it is internally satisfying to the person

Question 26

extrinsic motivation

Answer 26

Motivation driven by an external reward or punishment

Question 27

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Answer 27

states that for easy tasks, the higher the level of physiological or mental arousal, the higher the performance. But if the task at hand is difficult, a higher level or arousal will only increase performance until a certain point

Question 28

approach-approach

Answer 28

a psychological conflict that occurs when a person must choose between two appealing or desirable options. the conflict is usually resolved when the person moves towards one of the goals, which makes it easier to make the final decision

Question 29

approach-avoidance

Answer 29

conflicts occur when there is one goal or event that has both positive and negative effects or characteristics that make the goal appealing and unappealing simultaneously (taking your dream job but for less money)

Question 30

avoidance-avoidance

Answer 30

psychological concept that describes a situation where someone must choose between two options that are both undesirable