Midterm Review 🥶

Conformity

adjustment of ones behavior or beliefs to align with the norms or standards of the group

Normative Social Influence

influence stemming from a persons desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval from others

Social Norms

rules for expected or acceptable behavior prescribed by the group

Social Comparison

evaluating ones abilities and opinions by comparing oneself to others

Relative Deprivation

perceiving oneself as worse off relative to those with whom one compares oneself

Upward Social Comparison

comparing oneself with others who are better off

Downward Social Comparison

comparing oneself with others who are worse off

Informational Social Influence

influence resulting from ones willingness to accept others opinions about reality

Social Facilitation

improved performance of tasks in the presence of others occurs with simple or well learned tasks but not with tasks that are difficult or not yet mastered

Attribution Theory

explains how individuals pinpoint the causes of their own and others behaviors

Dispositional Attributions

attributing behavior to internal traits or personality factors

Situational Attributions

attributing behavior to external environmental circumstances

Group Polarization

the enhancement of a groups prevailing inclinations through discussion within the group

Groupthink

the mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives

Bystander Effect

the tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present

Diffusion of Responsibility

diminished sense of responsibility to act because others are present

Social Loafing

the phenomenon whereby individuals become less productive in groups

Deindividuation

the loss of self awareness and self restraint occurring in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity

Fundamental Attribution Error

overestimating the influence of personality and underestimating the influence of situations when evaluating others behavior

Actor Observer Bias

a tendency to attribute ones own actions to external causes while attributing other peoples behaviors to internal causes

Self Serving Bias

the tendency to attribute positive events to ones own character but attribute negative events to external factors

Internal Locus of Control

the perception that one controls their own fate

External Locus of Control

the perception that chance or outside forces beyond our personal control determine our fate

Altruism

the unselfish regard for the welfare of others

Stereotype

a generalized belief about a group of people

Prejudice

an unjustifiable negative attitude toward a group and its members

Discrimination

unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group or its members

Confirmation Bias

a tendency to search for information that confirms ones preconceptions

Belief Perseverance

clinging to ones initial conceptions after they are discredited

Self Fulfilling Prophecy

a belief that leads to its own fulfillment

In Group Bias

the tendency to favor ones own group

Out Group Homogeneity Bias

perceiving members of an out group as more similar

Ethnocentrism

evaluating other cultures by ones own standards

Drive Reduction Theory

physiological need creates tension that motivates behavior

Homeostasis

maintaining a balanced internal state

Ghrelin

hunger arousing hormone

Leptin

hunger reducing hormone

Hypothalamus

brain structure regulating hunger thirst and body temperature

Pituitary Gland

master gland controlling endocrine system

Arousal Theory

people are motivated to maintain optimal alertness

Intrinsic Motivation

doing something for its own sake

Extrinsic Motivation

doing something for reward

Emotion

complex reaction involving physiological and behavioral elements

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

facial expressions influence emotions

Psychodynamic Theory

behavior driven by unconscious forces

Defense Mechanisms

unconscious strategies to reduce anxiety

Humanistic Psychology

focus on growth and potential

Self Actualization

realizing full potential

Social Cognitive Theory

behavior influenced by interaction of person and environment

Reciprocal Determinism

interaction between behavior cognition and environment

Trait Theory

personality described by traits

Big Five Theory

openness conscientiousness extraversion agreeableness neuroticism

Stress

response to perceived challenges

General Adaptation Syndrome

alarm resistance exhaustion stages

Problem Focused Coping

dealing directly with stressor

Emotion Focused Coping

managing emotional response

Positive Psychology

study of strengths and well being

Resilience

ability to recover from stress

Anxiety Disorders

disorders involving excessive fear

Phobia

irrational fear of specific object

Panic Disorder

sudden intense fear episodes

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

chronic anxiety

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

obsessions and compulsions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

stress after trauma

Depression

persistent sadness and loss of interest

Bipolar Disorder

cycles of mania and depression

Schizophrenia

disorder involving psychosis

Delusions

false beliefs

Hallucinations

false sensory experiences

Personality Disorders

rigid unhealthy personality patterns

Cognitive Therapy

changing thinking patterns

Behavior Therapy

changing behavior

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

combining cognitive and behavioral approaches

Exposure Therapy

gradual exposure to fear

Systematic Desensitization

relaxation paired with anxiety triggers