Social Psychology Flashcards
What is Behaviorial theory ?
Behavioral Theory asserts that conditioning is the mechanism by which individuals and organisms learn,
What is Eysenckian theory ?
Eysenckian theory includes the idea that aspects of personality can be conditioned, or developed through interactions with the environment, which will reward certain traits over others
What do behavioral theory and Eysenckian theory have in common?
. Both Eysenckian theory and Behaviorism assert that the ENVIRONMENT influences the development of the organism
What is a defense mechanism? What theory is it apart of?
According to Freud, defense mechanisms are used to ward off the anxiety produced by unacceptable impulses
What was Maslow’s Theory? Describe this theory
HUMANISTIC theory. Maslow theorized that humans have innate needs that must be met in order of the necessity of those needs; Maslow’s theory organized these needs into a hierarchy, where certain needs must be met before “higher level” needs could be fulfilled.
When do attitudes most accurately predict behavior ?
when social influences are REDUCED.
countless studies have shown the influence that the presence of others can have on our behavior, so eliminating social influences makes it much more likely that individuals will behave in accordance to their attitudes
what are the three components of attitude ?
- Cognition: our thoughts and beliefs about something
- Affect: our feelings about something
- Behavior: our internal and external responses to something
What is parallel processing?
Parallel processing: is the ability to carry out multiple operations or tasks simultaneously (in the brain)
What is a correlational study ?
This means that the researchers are investigating the relationship between the variables they collected data on:
What is the Yerkes-Dodson Law?
Yerkes-Dodson Law states that increased arousal can help improve performance, but at the point when arousal becomes excessive, performance diminishes. Performance is impaired when arousal is low possibly due to a lack of motivation or a lack of anxiety about doing well in the performance.
The optimal level of arousal for a performance situation is a medium level of arousal
From bottom to top list the need for Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs
Top to Bottom :
Self actualization (Top)
Esteem needs
love/belonging needs
safety needs
physiological needs (food water, sex) : at bottom of pyramid
What effect do secondary reinforcers have on Drive Reduction Theory?
Secondary reinforcers WEAKEN Drive Reduction Theory, because these are other types of reinforcers that do not directly reduce physiological and biological drives. Money as a secondary reinforcer can buy things that would reduce physiological drives, such as buying food to reduce hunger, but there is no direct connection between a secondary reinforcer and a reduction in drive, (only an indirect connection through the primary reinforcer)
What happens to heart rate, respiration and digestion during stress?
Increased heart rate and respiration
DECREASED digestion
What is the role of Vasopressin?
Vasopressin: decreases water excretion by the kidneys and reduces urine flow,
What is oxytocin ? How does this play a role in women’s behavior ?
oxytocin: is the hormone largely responsible for pair-bonding.
It affects the amygdala much differently in females, causing them to bond more easily with infants, romantic partners, and friends. Oxytocin is believed to play a large role in the tend-and-befriend respon
What Pearson correlation value is considered for a strong positive correlation between two variables?
0.5 or higher
What is attrition ?
Attrition occurs when patients drop out of a study before it concludes.
What is LTP (long term potentiation) ?
LTP: strengthening of neural pathways with repetition of thought or behavior
What is the goal of Cognitive behavioral approach therapy?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy involves patients challenging distorted thoughts and assumptions
What is goal of psychodynamic therapy ?
Uncovering unconscious motivations for the repetitive behaviors reflects the goal of psychodynamic therapies, (such as psychoanalysis)
What is goal of humanistic or client-based therapy ?
Removing barriers between one’s real and ideal selves
What is Split-half reliability ?
Split-half reliability is a means of assessing an instrument’s internal consistency and involves comparing responses on two halves of the same test (e.g., odd vs. even questions)
What is emotion ?
Emotions are immediate feelings that involve cognitive, physiological, and subjective components.
What is mood?
. Moods- are longer-lasting emotional states that influence thoughts and behavior (and are rather diffuse )
