Pscyh Midterm 1 Vocabulary Flashcards
Independent Variable
Measurable characteristic of people, objects, or events that may change. Studied for its potential or expected influence.
Dependent Variable
Assessed because its value, is expected to “depend” on the independent variable.
Double Blind Control Procedure
An experimental procedure whereby neither the subject nor the researcher knows which research treatment the subject is receiving.
Experimental Group
Group that receives the experimental treatment.
Cohort Effect
Influence of having been born and raised at a different time. Same demographic group share set of experiences that are distinct from other cohorts.
Random Assignment
Randomly assigning select group of people to conditions or groups in experiment by picking out cards or statistically.
Neuron
Specialized nerve cells
Ataxia
Disorder where damage to cerebellum causes person’s actions to become jerky and uncoordinated.
Neurotransmitter
A chemical involved in the transmission of impulses across the synapse from one neuron to another.
Quadriplegia
Upper portion of spinal cord is severed, paralysis is more extensive causing paralysis of legs and arms.
Cognitive Appraisal
Mental process people use in assessing whether a demand is threatening and what resources are available to meet the demand.
Reactivity
The physiological component of the response to stress.
Strain
The psychological and physiological response to a stressor.
Transaction
The continuous interplay and adjustments of the person and environment.
Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis
Emergency–> hypothalamus sends corticotropin releasing factor to pituitary gland–> causes pituitary to release ACTH into blood–> travels throughout the body and stimulates release of variety of hormones (especially those of adrenal glands)
Allostatic Load
The cumulative physiological effect of chronic stress.
Polygraph
An electromechanical device that assesses the body’s arousal by measuring and recording several physiological indexes, such as BP and respiration rate simultaneously.
Catecholamines
A class of hormones including epinephrine and norepinephrine, secreted by the adrenal glands.
Corticosteroids
A class of hormones including cortisol, secreted by the adrenal glands.
Modeling
People learn not by doing but by observing; they see what others do and consequences of the behavior these models perform (observational/social learning)
Problem Solving Training
Clients learn a strategy for identifying, discovering, or inventing effective or adaptive ways to address problems in everyday life. Learn to watch for problems that can arise, define a problem clearly and concretely, generate a variety of possible solutions, and decide on best course of action. Reduces anxiety and negative emotions.
Cognitive Restructuring
process by which stress-provoking thoughts or beliefs are replaced with more constructive or realistic ones that reduce the person’s appraisal of threat or harm
Cognitive Therapy
Attempts to help clients see that they are not responsible for all of the problems they encounter, the negative events they experience are usually not catastrophes, and their maladaptive beliefs are not logically valid.
Stress-Inoculation Training
approach that uses a variety of methods that are designed to teach people skills for alleviating stress. Involves 3 phases: 1. learns about nature of stress and how people react to it, 2. acquire behavioral and cognitive skills, such as relaxation and seeking social support, 3. Practices coping skills with actual or imagined stressors.
Massage
varied forms and varied pressure, soothing strokes with light pressure, to rubbing motion with moderate force to kneading/pounding action. Deep tissue, pressures to penetrate deeply into muscles and joints, infants like light strokes, adults like more force. Can reduce anxiety and depression. Increases body’s production of hormone called oxytocin that decreases blood pressure and stress hormone levels.
Meditation
method in yoga to improve physical and mental health and reduce stress. Use eyes closed, repeat word or sound called mantra to prevent distracting thoughts. Increase the person’s ability in the face of a stressor to make a “relaxation response” including physiological activity as an alternative to stress response which enhances health. Develops clear mindfulness.
Hypnosis
Considered to be an altered state of consciousness that is induced by special techniques of suggestion and leads to varying degrees of responsiveness to directions for changes in perception, memory, and behavior. People differ in suggestibility: degree to which they can be hypnotized.
Well-Behavior
Any activity people undertake to maintain or improve current good health and avoid illness. Activities include healthy people’s exercising, eating healthful diets, having regular dental checkups, and getting vaccinations against diseases.
Symptom-Based Behavior
Any activity people who are ill undertake to determine the problem and find a remedy. Usually include complaining about symptoms, such as stomach pains, and seeking help or advice from relative, friends and medical practitioners. Some people more likely than others to engage in this when symptoms appear and there are many reasons for these differences.
Sick-Role Behavior
Any activity people undertake to treat or adjust to a health problem after deciding that they are ill and what the illness is. This behavior is based on the idea that sick people take on a special “role” making them exempt from their normal obligations and life tasks, such as going to work or school. You’d be showing sick-role behaviors if you got prescription filled, used it as the physician directed, stayed home from work and had someone else do chores. Although this status, ordinarily obligates patients to try to get well, many do not follow their recommended treatment, particularly if it is inconvenient or uncomfortable to do. Seem to serve emotional functions: as patients moan/sigh–> receive sympathy as result.
Addiction
The condition of physical and psychological dependence on a substance.
Physical Dependence
A state in which the body has become accustomed to the presence of a substance in its physiological functioning.
Tolerance
A gradual decrease in the body’s response to a drug, thereby requiring larger and larger doses to achieve the same effect.
Withdrawal
Physical and psychological symptoms that occur when people stop taking a substance on which they have become dependent.
Psychological Dependence
A state in which a person feels compelled to use a substance for the pleasant effect it produces.
Substance Use Disorder
Psychiatric diagnosis based on a person’s prolonged overuse of a substance, involving a clear pattern of pathological use and heightened social occupational problems.
Plato
Mind and body is separate entitities
Galen
Different diseases have different effects
Descartes
Body is a machine
Freud
Psychoanalytic Theory
