psyc

Trait Approaches

Studies personality based on people's characteristics—tendencies to act in certain ways over time and across situations.

Temperament

Biologically based tendencies to feel or act in certain ways, representing the innate biological structure of one's personality.

Situationism

Theory that behavior is primarily influenced by the situation rather than stable personality traits.

Interactionism

The idea that behavior is determined jointly by situations and underlying personality dispositions.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

Presence of two or more distinct identities within the same individual, often associated with severe trauma.

Psychopathology

The study of mental disorders, their symptoms, causes, and treatments.

Psychodynamic Theory

Proposes that unconscious forces such as desires and hidden memories determine behavior.

Id

The part of the personality operating on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification.

Superego

The component of personality representing internalized societal norms and morals.

Ego

The part of the personality balancing the id and the superego, operating on the reality principle.

Defense Mechanisms

Strategies used by the ego to reduce anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality.

Humanistic Approaches

Emphasize goodness, self-understanding, and the fulfillment of personal potential.

Person-Centered Approach

Developed by Carl Rogers, emphasizing conditions of worth and unconditional positive regard.

Specific Phobia

An intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Fear of being negatively evaluated by others in social contexts.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Excessive worry about multiple aspects of daily life.

Panic Disorder

Characterized by sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort.

Agoraphobia

Fear of being in situations where escape may be difficult.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Marked by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A disorder triggered by traumatic events, involving re-experiencing, avoidance, and heightened arousal.

Major Depressive Disorder

Persistent sadness, loss of interest, and other symptoms impairing daily life.

Manic Episodes or Mania

Periods of abnormally elevated mood, energy, and activity levels.

Schizophrenia

A disorder involving disruptions in thought, perception, and consciousness, characterized by symptoms like delusions and hallucinations.

Positive Symptoms

Symptoms that add abnormal experiences, like hallucinations or delusions.

Negative Symptoms

Reduction in normal functions, such as lack of emotion or motivation.

Delusions

False beliefs not grounded in reality.

Hallucinations

False sensory perceptions, like hearing voices.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Characterized by emotional instability, impulsivity, and difficulties with self-identity.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Involves disregard for others, impulsivity, and lack of remorse.

Psychotherapy

General term for treatment involving psychological techniques.

Humanistic/Client-Centered Therapy

Focuses on individual potential and self-actualization through unconditional positive regard.

Psychodynamic Therapy/Psychoanalysis

Focuses on uncovering unconscious conflicts and motives.

Behavior Therapy

Uses conditioning to change maladaptive behaviors.

Cognitive Therapy

Aims to change distorted thought patterns.

Biological Therapy

Includes medication and other biological treatments for psychological disorders.

Psychotropic Medications

Drugs used to treat psychological disorders.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

A treatment involving electrical stimulation of the brain.

Phototherapy

Uses light exposure to treat mood disorders.

Stress

A response to demands or threats.

Stressor

Any event or situation causing stress.

Stress Response

Physical and psychological reactions to a stressor.

Major Life Stressors

Significant events causing stress.

Daily Hassles

Minor everyday irritations that can accumulate stress.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

The body's response to stress in three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Type A Behavior Pattern

Competitive, impatient, and aggressive behavior.

Type B Behavior Pattern

Relaxed, non-competitive behavior.

Emotion-Focused Coping

Managing emotions in response to stress.

Problem-Focused Coping

Tackling the problem causing stress directly.

Avoidant Coping

Steering clear of stressors and not addressing the issue at hand.