Psych Final Flashcards
Spearmans general intelligence theory?
there are two areas of intelligence: general intelligence (g factor) and specific abilities of intelligence (s factor).
Pros of Spearmans general intelligence theory
effective in acknowledging that many areas can overlap, which is why s factors are helpful.
Cons of Spearmans general intelligence theory
fails to recognize that there is a lot more depth to intelligence that one single g factor.
theory of multiple intelligences
there are 7-8 (depending on which theory) main ways in which people’s intelligence is categorized.
Pros of theory of multiple intelligence
This theory is very effective in acknowledging that there is more than what meets the eye to intelligence (not just math and communication).
Cons of theory of multiple intelligence
it is extremely difficult to define intelligence, and this theory can sometimes cause confounding ideas as not everything is a type of intelligence.
Some of the intelligences in theory of multiple intelligence
Word fluency, verbal comprehension, spatial ability, perceptual speed, numerical ability, inductive reasoning, memory(garners includes things like kinesthetics and stuff)
What is emotional intelligence (the 4 compenents) ?
- Perceiving emotions: recognizing them in faces, music, and stories
- Understanding emotions: predicting them and how they may change and blend
- Managing emotions: knowing how to express them in varied situations
- Using emotions: To enable adaptive or creative thinking
Pros of emotional intelligence
these 4 components predict social success and emotional well-being
Cons of emotional intelligence
Does this stretch the concept of intelligence too far?
What is the most widely used intelligence test today?
Weschler adult intelligence scare (WAIS) (and the kid version as well)
What theory does WAIS most relate to?
Spearmans?
Yields and overall intelligence score and separate scores for verbal comprehension, perceptual organization, working memory, and processing speed
Available in preschool and school-age child versions
Provide clues to strengths or weaknesses
Focuses more on the S-factors
fluid intelligence
The capacity to learn new ways of solving problems and performing activities
crystalized intelligence
Accumulated knowledge of the world we have acquired throughout our lives
What is the Flynn effect?
The fact that human IQ has increased over the years
Evidence of environmental effects on intelligence
Environmental differences are more predictive of intelligence scores when environments vary more
Adoption enhances the intelligence scores of mistreated or neglected children
Intelligence scores of same-age unrelated siblings adopted as infants and raised together have a correlation of +.28
Evidence of genetic effects on intelligence
Intelligence test scores of identical twins raised together are similar to test-retest over a year
Heritability estimate of test scores=55% or higher
What is self-fulfilling stereotype threat?
a self-confirming concern that one will be evaluated based on negative stereotype
Stereotype threat may impair attention, performance, and learning
Ex: Women do not perform as well as men on difficult math tests UNLESS they told women that they do as well
Ex: Black students perform worse when reminded of their race before certain tests.
Growth mindset
Intelligence can be changed through effort and practice
Fixed mindset
Intelligence in innate and fixed
Generally what is the evidence around a growth mindset and success?
Correlated with higher grades, better job performance and resilience in the face of obstacles
If you wanted to encourage a growth mindset in someone what could you emphasize?
People are more likely to have a growth mindset when effort rather than ability is encouraged. So focus on effort not success
Is a growth mindset automatically always going to lead to more success?
No. Ability + opportunity + motivation= success. So you need all of them.
James-Lange,
the emotions we experience are caused by the bodily changes
Cannon-Bard,
Emotions and arousal occur at the same time (least evidence of the three theories)
Schacter Singer Theory
our emotional state is due to physiological arousal and our interpretation of it and the context around us.
Consists of two factor theory and spillover effect
Two factor theory
Part of schacter singer theory
The arousal that we experience is basically the same in every emotion, and emotions are differentiated only by our cognitive appraisal of the source of the arousa
Spillover effect
Part of schacter singer theory
Arousal in one domain can “spillover” into another.
Example: you are angry about a sports game, and then someone bumping into you is more likely to elicit an angrier reaction.
What is misattribution of arousal and which theory is present
the idea that physiological arousal can be perceived to stem from a source that is not actually the cause of the arousal
This is part of Shater singer two factor theory
What are the basic emotions
Anger, Disgust, Fear, Happiness, Surprise, Sadness
what makes basic human emotions unique from other emotions
Occur naturally and quickly - the result of Sympathetic nervous System activation. Require very little cognitive processing
How do basic emotions work in the brain?
Thalamus => Amygdala
What are secondary emotions?
Emotions that give us more information about our social world
More complex and more cognitively based
How do secondary emotions work in the brain?
Thalamus => Frontal Lobes => Amygdala
Causes of anger
With threat or challenge, fear triggers flight but anger triggers fight - each at times is an adaptive behavior
Anger is most often evoked by misdeeds that we interpret as willful, unjustified, and avoidable
Smaller frustrations and blameless annoyances can also serve as catalysts for anger
Consequences of anger
Chronic hostility is linked to heart disease
Expressing anger can make us more angry
Anger can prime prejudice
Anger communicates strength and competence, motivates action, and expresses grief when wisely used
Not always wrong– Controlled expressions of anger can be adaptive
What’s the set point model of happiness? Very generally, what is evidence for and against it?
Theory that happiness is ultimately stable over time. Somewhat true, but conflicting evidence. Big life events have been shown to change it
What is the feel-good do-good phenomenon?
people are more likely to do good things when they are happy
Conditions of flow
Knowing what to do and how to do it
Knowing how well you are doing
High perceived challenges
High perceived skills
Components of flow
Intense concentration on the present moment
Merging of action and awareness
Loss of reflective self-consciousness
Distortion of time
Experience of the activity as intrinsically rewarding
What is the relationship between money and happiness?
Wealth does correlate with well-being in some ways
Having resources to meet basic needs and maintain some control over life helps happiness. money matters less once basic needs are met
· Does having a happy romantic partner relate to an individual’s own health?
Having a happy spouse predicts better health: Happy you, happy me.
What is emotion regulation?
the ability to control and productively use one’s emotions
What is the role of personal control in experiences of stress?
Internal- we control our own fate(lower levels of stress, depression, and better health
External- chance or outside forces we cannot control determine our fate
What other factors could contribute to reducing someone’s experience of stress?
Losing control, less decision making, threats, etc.
What are the 4 D’s related to diagnosing mental illness?
Deviance: Is this behavior or thought uncommon in the general population
Distress: Is the behavior or thought causing the individual distress?
Dysfunction: Is the behavior interfering with the individuals ability to function?
Danger: Is the behavior or thought dangerous to the individual or those around them?
How are 4 d’s used together to diagnose an illness?
If all of these are met, there is likely a mental disorder involved.
What is the relationship between poverty and mental illness?
Poverty is one of the most robust predictors of mental illness
Those under poverty line are 2.5x more likely to be diagnosed with a psychological disorder
Causality can go both ways
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Psychological disorder diagnosed in situations in which a person has been excessively and uncontrollably worried for a least 6 months, even though they know that they concerns are exaggerated
What are phobias?
person experiences a persistent, irrational fear and avoidance of a specific object, activity or situation
Remember the four D’s
Fear and phobia are different
What is the role of obsessions in OCD.
Obsessive thoughts
Distressing
Intrusive
Frightening
What is the role of compulsions in OCD?
Compulsive behaviors
Repetitive
Distressing
OCD
Recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsessions) that make a person feel driven to do something repetitively(compulsions). Both comupulsions and obsessions are unwanted, repetitive, and distressing. The difference is that obsessions are thoughts and compulsions are behaviors.
Know the main symptoms and distinguishing factors of major depressive disorder.
Person experiences, in the absence of drugs or another medical condition, two or more weeks with 5 or more symptoms. (one must be either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure)
Know the main symptoms and distinguishing factors of dysthymia
Person experiences mildly depressed mood more often than not for at least 2 years along with at least 2 other symptoms.
Explanatory style
Those with depression tend to make stable (it will keep happening), global (it is indicative of problems in more than this area) and internal (it is my fault) attributions.
What is bipolar disorder? What distinguishes it from other mood disorders?
Bipolar disorder
Disorder in which a person alternates between states of depression and overexcited states of euphoria and mania
Sale is typically week to week , not moment to moment
Mania
A hyperactive, wildly optimistic state in which dangerously poor judgement is common
Euphoria: little need for sleep, fewer inhibitions, quick/flighty speech
MUCH MORE DYSFUNCTIONAL
positive symptoms of schizophrenia
Adding abnormal behaviors and experiences
Delusions- false beliefs not commonly shared by others
Hallucination- false perceptions that occur in absence of stimuli
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia
Deterioration of thoughts or something goes away. Absence of normal behaviors
Loss of tone in voice or ability to express emotions
Catatonic Schizophrenia- reduction in movements
Which type of psychological practitioner can prescribe medications
Psychiatrist
Elements of psychodynamic therapy?
Free-association- talking about whatever comes to mind
Dream analysis- not interest in content, but rather how they describe it.
Resistance- use of defense mechanisms to avoid painful feelings
Interpretation- understanding unconscious problems based on what client is saying
What are the important elements of client-centered therapy?
An approach to treatment in which the client is helped to grow and the therapist provides a comfortable, nonjudgmental environment
Consists of
- Genuineness from therapist
- Unconditional positive regard
- Empathetic listening (active listening)(Echoes, restates and clarifies)
Most effective for anxiety and depression
- Typically less severe cases
How does behavior therapy rely on classical conditioning?
Systematic desensitzation
What is systematic desensitization and how does it work?
associate pleasant state of relaxation with increasing hierarchy of fears. Can be done when there’s a clear source of anxiety
Most common for phobias, substance use disorders.
How can virtual reality help with this?
Treats anxiety by virtual reality simulations in which people can work against fears and phobias
Very generally what is cognitive-behavioral therapy?
Attempts to reduce psychogical disorders through systematic procedures based on thinking, feelings, and acting
Targets disordered patterns of thinking, as well as the bheaviors that reinforce them
Goal oriented, often has homework. Most flexible
Strong empirical support/ one of the most effective approached
What’s the goal of family/couples therapy?
Attempts to open up communication within the family/couple and help family members to discover and use conflict resolution strategies
Treats the family or couple as a system
Views an individuals unwanted behaviors as influenced by, or directed at, other family members
electroconvulsive shock therapy (ECT)
Extreme measure, fairly rare
Most commonly used in the in cases of severe, treatment-resistant depression/bi-polar
Very effective, but short lasting
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (TMST)?
Chronic depression
Schizophrenia and Parkinson’s
Research has identified several factors that predict the success of therapy. What are 3 of these?
Empathy
Warmth
Therapeutic alliance(Do you get along with therapist and do you have a connection with them)
Central route to attitude persuasion
occurs when interested people focus on the arguments and respond with favorable thoughts
Central route is persuasive when there is ability and motivation
Peripheral route to attitude persuasion?
occurs when people are influenced by incidental cues, such as speakers attractiveness
Under what conditions would someone be persuaded by more peripheral cues.
If one does not have either motivation or the ability to pay attention (it doesn’t have to be both), the peripheral route to persuasion will be used, which typically results in a temporary change in attitude that is susceptible to additional change.
What is cognitive dissonance and what role can it play in attitude change?
When attitudes do not fit with actions, tensions are often reduced by changing attitudes to match actions (cognitive dissonance theory)
We act to reduce the discomfort(dissonance) we feel when two of our thoughts (cognitions) clash
What were the important findings of the line study done by Solomon Asch?
found that people are most likely to adjust their behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard in the following circumstances
They feel incompetent or insecure
Their group has at least 3 people
They admire the groups status and attractiveness
They have not already committed to another response
They know that they are being observed
What are normative social influence?
influence resulting from a person’s desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval
What are informational social influence?
influence resulting from one’s willingness to accept others’ opinions about reality
What is the result of both normative and informatice social influence?
Both lead to outward behaviors consistent with those around you
Only informational social influence should lead to changes in beliefs
What are descriptive social norms and how do they influence behavior?
engaging in an action based on their perceptions that many other people do it
What was the general paradigm of Stanley Milgram’s study on obedience?
Was interested in studying obedience because of Nazis
- How could people allow it to happen?
- Why would people obey immoral orders?
Had “learners” and instructors
- All participants were actually instructors- there were no learners
Instructed by experimenter to give increasing shocks for incorrect answers
“Learner” would scream in pain and eventually went silent
What percent of participants went to the last stage of Milgram’s experiment?
Around 65%
What factors influenced the rates of obedience in Milgrums experiment ?
Findings from the Milgram experiments: wide range of “full” obedience
Obedience was highest (highest average electrical shocks) when:
The research was supported by a prestigious institution
The victim was depersonalized or at a distance
There were no role models for defiance
Implicit prejudice
an unthinking knee-jerk response operating below the radar, leaving us unaware of how our attitudes are influencing our behavior (more common)
Explicit prejudice:
consciously endorsed negative atti- tudes based on group membership.
What are the conditions that help contact to reduce prejudice?
Contact
- Most effective when contact is free of competition and equal status exists
- Across 250,000 people studied in 38 nations, friendly contact with ethnic minorities, older people, and people with disabilities has usually led to less prejudice
- Contact is not always enough
Cooperation
- Cooperative contact, not contact alone, reduces conflict
- Experiments with teens in 11 countries confirm that cooperative learning can maintain or enhance student achievement
What is the fundamental attribution error?
The tendency for us, when analyzing others’ behavior, to underestimate the impact of the situation and to overestimate the impact of personal disposition
Most likely to occur when explaining bad actions
People are more sensitive to the situation describing their own behavior
- We know more about ourselves in more situations!
- We have more information
The better we know someone, the more external attributions we are likely to give
Assume internal (automatic, system 1)
Correct to make an external attribution (controlled, system 2)
· What is social loafing?
Tendency for people in a group to exert less effort when pooling their efforts toward attaining a common goal than when individually accountable
· What are the functions that people can fulfill by volunteering? Make sure you know what the functions mean.
Values- Express or act on important values
Understanding- Seeking to learn or use unused skills
Enhancement- Seeking psychological development and growth
Career- Gain career experience or qualification
Social- Build and strengthen social relationships
Protective- Reduce negative feelings or address personal problems
