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.