Terms/Theories Flashcards
(164 cards)
Nuture
we are shaped by the experiences, which we encounter from birth
La Tabula Rasa
the theory that we are born with our minds as a blank slate
Nature
development is preplanned process guided by preprogrammed genetic info; predictable unfolding of events
Stage Theories
development occurs in stages; qualitative measurement
Continuity theories
development is a steady growth process; skills and behaviors do not change qualitatively
cognitive-developmental theory
the notion that one’s ability to think and process is dictated by physiological growth and interaction with the environment
information processing approach
uses the computer as a metaphor for the human mind to process info, changes in info processing capabilities and speed in relation to age
Reflex
innate response to a stimulus that is not learned
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)
a stimulus that automatically elicits a motor response that is innate
Unconditional Response (UCR)
a motor response to a stimulus that is innate
Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
a stimulus that is paired with the innate UCS (ex: the bell (CS) elicits salivation even though the food is the UCS)
Generalization
a stimulus similar to the CS that triggers the same CR (ex: same response to a different bell tone)
Discrimination
the ability to discern similar conditioned stimuli (CS) from the original CS (no response to a similar bell tone)
Extinction
termination the CR when CS is presented without the UCS (ex: the bell is rung (CS) but no food (UCS) is present, resulting in a ‘false alarm’ that is eventually dissociated with food
Operant conditioning
learning is controlled by environment, but the associated behaviors are influenced by reinforcement and punishment
Social-learning thoery
behaviors are not only influenced by conditioning, but also through observational learning; one can replicate the behaviors of others simply by watching
Psychodynamic thoery
personality is unconscious, early experiences shape our personalities
Rationalization
creating false but plausible excuses to justify unacceptable behavior
Repression
pushing unacceptable ID impulses out of awareness and into unconscious; motivated forgetting
Reaction formation
behaving the opposite of one’s feelings
Regression
reversion to immature patterns of behavior
Projection
attributing one’s own thoughts, feelings, motives, or shortcomings to others
Displacement
shifting unacceptable feelings from the original source to a safer, substitute target
Sublimation
a useful, socially acceptable course of behavior replaces a socially unacceptable response