Psychology Unit 4 Vocabulary

Question 1

Collectivism

Answer 1

Giving priority to the goals of our group (often our extended family or work group) and defining our identity accordingly.

Question 2

Defense Mechanisms

Answer 2

The ego’s protective methods of reducing anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality.

Question 3

Drive-Reduction Theory

Answer 3

The idea that a physiological need creates an aroused state (a drive) that motivates us to satisfy the need.

Question 4

Ego

Answer 4

The largely conscious, “executive” part of personality that, balances the demands of the id, superego, and reality. The ego operates on the reality principle, satisfying the id’s desires in ways that will realistically bring pleasure rather than pain.

Question 5

Emotion

Answer 5

A response of the whole organism, involving (1) bodily arousal, (2) expressive behaviors, and (3) conscious experience.

Question 6

Facial Feedback Effect

Answer 6

The tendency of facial muscle states to trigger corresponding feelings such as fear, anger or happiness.

Question 7

Fixation

Answer 7

A lingering focus of pleasure-seeking energies at an earlier psychosexual stage, in which conflicts were unresolved.

Question 8

Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 8

Maslow’s pyramid of human needs; at the base are physiological need. These basic needs must be satisfied before higher-level safety needs, and then psychological needs become active.

Question 9

Homeostasis

Answer 9

A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level.

Question 10

Id

Answer 10

A reservoir of unconscious psychic energy that, according to Freud, strives to satisfy basic sexual and aggressive drives. The id operates on the Pleasure Principle, demanding immediate gratification.

Question 11

Identification

Answer 11

The process by which children incorporate their parents’ values into their developing superegos.

Question 12

Incentive

Answer 12

A positive or negative environmental stimulus that motivates behavior.

Question 13

Individualism

Answer 13

Giving priority to our own goals over group goals and defining our identity in terms of personal traits rather than group membership.

Question 14

James-Lange Theory

Answer 14

The theory that our experience of emotion is our awareness of our physiological response to emotion-arousing stimuli.

Question 15

Motivation

Answer 15

A need or desire that energizes and directs behavior.

Question 16

Personality

Answer 16

An individual’s characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting.

Question 17

Psychoanalysis

Answer 17

Freud’s theory of personality that attributes thoughts and actions to unconscious motives and conflicts; the techniques used in treating psychological disorders by seeking to expose and interpret unconscious tensions.

Question 18

Reciprocal Determinism

Answer 18

The interacting influences of behavior, internal personal factors, and environment.

Question 19

Repression

Answer 19

The basic defense mechanism that banishes from consciousness the thoughts, feelings and memories that arouse anxiety.

Question 20

Self-Actualization

Answer 20

The psychological need that arises after basic physical and psychological needs are met and self-esteem is achieved; the motivation to fulfill our potential.

Question 21

Self-Concept

Answer 21

All our thoughts and feelings about ourselves, in answer to the question, “Who am I?”

Question 22

Self-Efficacy

Answer 22

Our sense of competence and effectiveness.

Question 23

Self-Esteem

Answer 23

Our feelings of high or low self-worth.

Question 24

Self-Serving Bias

Answer 24

Our readiness to perceive ourselves favorably.

Question 25

Self-Transcendence

Answer 25

The striving for identity, meaning and purpose beyond the self.

Question 26

Social-Cognitive Perspective

Answer 26

Views behavior as influenced by the interaction between persons (and their thinking) and their social context.

Question 27

Superego

Answer 27

The part of personality that represents internalized ideals and provides standards for judgment (the conscience) and for future goals.

Question 28

Two-Factor Theory

Answer 28

Schachter & Singer’s theory that to experience emotion we must (1) physically aroused and (2) cognitively label the arousal.

Question 29

Unconditional Positive Regard

Answer 29

An attitude of total acceptance toward another person.

Question 30

Unconscious

Answer 30

According to Freud, a reservoir of mostly unacceptable thoughts, wishes, feelings, and memories. According to contemporary psychologists, information processing of which we are unaware.