Pscyh Midterm 1 Vocabulary

Question 1

Independent Variable

Answer 1

Measurable characteristic of people, objects, or events that may change. Studied for its potential or expected influence.

Question 2

Dependent Variable

Answer 2

Assessed because its value, is expected to “depend” on the independent variable.

Question 3

Double Blind Control Procedure

Answer 3

An experimental procedure whereby neither the subject nor the researcher knows which research treatment the subject is receiving.

Question 4

Experimental Group

Answer 4

Group that receives the experimental treatment.

Question 5

Cohort Effect

Answer 5

Influence of having been born and raised at a different time. Same demographic group share set of experiences that are distinct from other cohorts.

Question 6

Random Assignment

Answer 6

Randomly assigning select group of people to conditions or groups in experiment by picking out cards or statistically.

Question 7

Neuron

Answer 7

Specialized nerve cells

Question 8

Ataxia

Answer 8

Disorder where damage to cerebellum causes person’s actions to become jerky and uncoordinated.

Question 9

Neurotransmitter

Answer 9

A chemical involved in the transmission of impulses across the synapse from one neuron to another.

Question 10

Quadriplegia

Answer 10

Upper portion of spinal cord is severed, paralysis is more extensive causing paralysis of legs and arms.

Question 11

Cognitive Appraisal

Answer 11

Mental process people use in assessing whether a demand is threatening and what resources are available to meet the demand.

Question 12

Reactivity

Answer 12

The physiological component of the response to stress.

Question 13

Strain

Answer 13

The psychological and physiological response to a stressor.

Question 14

Transaction

Answer 14

The continuous interplay and adjustments of the person and environment.

Question 15

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis

Answer 15

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)

Question 16

Allostatic Load

Answer 16

The cumulative physiological effect of chronic stress.

Question 17

Polygraph

Answer 17

An electromechanical device that assesses the body’s arousal by measuring and recording several physiological indexes, such as BP and respiration rate simultaneously.

Question 18

Catecholamines

Answer 18

A class of hormones including epinephrine and norepinephrine, secreted by the adrenal glands.

Question 19

Corticosteroids

Answer 19

A class of hormones including cortisol, secreted by the adrenal glands.

Question 20

Modeling

Answer 20

People learn not by doing but by observing; they see what others do and consequences of the behavior these models perform (observational/social learning)

Question 21

Problem Solving Training

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

Cognitive Restructuring

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Cognitive Therapy

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Stress-Inoculation Training

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Massage

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

Meditation

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

Hypnosis

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

Well-Behavior

Answer 28

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.

Question 29

Symptom-Based Behavior

Answer 29

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.

Question 30

Sick-Role Behavior

Answer 30

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.

Question 31

Addiction

Answer 31

The condition of physical and psychological dependence on a substance.

Question 32

Physical Dependence

Answer 32

A state in which the body has become accustomed to the presence of a substance in its physiological functioning.

Question 33

Tolerance

Answer 33

A gradual decrease in the body’s response to a drug, thereby requiring larger and larger doses to achieve the same effect.

Question 34

Withdrawal

Answer 34

Physical and psychological symptoms that occur when people stop taking a substance on which they have become dependent.

Question 35

Psychological Dependence

Answer 35

A state in which a person feels compelled to use a substance for the pleasant effect it produces.

Question 36

Substance Use Disorder

Answer 36

Psychiatric diagnosis based on a person’s prolonged overuse of a substance, involving a clear pattern of pathological use and heightened social occupational problems.

Question 37

Plato

Answer 37

Mind and body is separate entitities

Question 38

Galen

Answer 38

Different diseases have different effects

Question 39

Descartes

Answer 39

Body is a machine

Question 40

Freud

Answer 40

Psychoanalytic Theory