Unit 2 - Key Terms

Question 1

The application of evolutionary biology to understanding the social behaviour of animals, including humans

Answer 1

Sociobiology

Question 2

A theory that all living things have acquired their present forms through gradual changes in their genetic endowment over successive generations.

Answer 2

Evolution

Question 3

A process in nature resulting in greater rates of survival of those plants and animals that are adapted to their environment.

Answer 3

Natural Selection

Question 4

Selection that results from differences in traits affecting access to mates

Answer 4

Sexual selection

Question 5

The study of psychological mechanisms that have been shaped by natural selection

Answer 5

Evolutionary psychology

Question 6

A psychological theory originated by Sigmund Freud; it contains a basic assumption that part of human personality is unconscious and motivated by the sexual drive

Answer 6

psychoanalytic theory

Question 7

In psychoanalytic theory, the term for the sex energy or sex drive.

Answer 7

libido (lih-BEE-doh)

Question 8

According to Freud, the part of the personality containing the libido

Answer 8

id

Question 9

According to Freud, the part of the personality that helps the person have realistic, rational interactions.

Answer 9

ego

Question 10

According to Freud, the part of the personality containing the conscience

Answer 10

superego

Question 11

Areas of the body that are particularly sensitive to sexual stimulation.

Answer 11

erogenous (eh-RAH-jen-us) zones

Question 12

According to Freud, the sexual attraction of a little boy for his mother.

Answer 12

Oedipus (EH-di-pus) complex

Question 13

According to Freud, the sexual attraction of a little girl for her father; sometimes called the Electra complex.

Answer 13

female Oedipus complex

Question 14

The learning process in which a previously neutral stimulus (conditioned stimulus) is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus that reflexively elicits an unconditioned response. Eventually, the conditioned stimulus itself will evoke the response.

Answer 14

classical conditioning

Question 15

The process of changing the frequency of a behaviour (the operant) by following it with positive reinforcement (which will make the behaviour more frequent in the future) or punishment (which should make the behaviour less frequent in the future).

Answer 15

operant (OP-ur-unt) conditioning

Question 16

A system of therapy based on learning theory, in which the focus is on the problem behaviour and how it can be modified or changed.

Answer 16

behaviour therapy

Question 17

A sense of competence at performing an activity.

Answer 17

self-efficacy

Question 18

A theory that assumes people will choose actions that maximize rewards and minimize costs

Answer 18

social exchange theory

Question 19

A general knowledge framework that a person has about a particular topic

Answer 19

schema (SKEE-muh)

Question 20

An approach that simultaneously considers the meaning and consequences of multiple categories of identity, difference, and disadvantage.

Answer 20

intersectionality

Question 21

Ways in which we perform gender or sexuality based on society’s norms, much as actors perform in a play.

Answer 21

performativity

Question 22

The belief that heterosexuality is the norm

Answer 22

heteronormativity

Question 23

The process by which certain sexual behaviours or conditions are defined in terms of health and illness, and problematic experiences or practices are given medical treatment

Answer 23

medicalization of sexuality