Psychology Exam Review

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts from psychology, including definitions of emotions, brain structures, and psychological principles.

Emotion

A short-lived and specific psychological experience.

Mood

A long-lasting and diffused emotional state.

Deindividuation

The reduction in personal accountability and self-awareness when in a crowd.

Hypothalamus

The brain structure most closely linked to motivation and drives behavior towards goals.

Activation

The initiation of behavior towards a goal.

Cognitive Dissonance

A psychological state occurring when a person experiences tension between beliefs and behaviors.

Obedience

Following direct orders, typically from an authority figure.

Synaptic Pruning

The process of eliminating excess neurons during brain development.

Teratogens

Substances that can cause malformation of an embryo or fetus.

Normative Social Influence

A social influence process where people conform to be liked or accepted.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to attribute others' behavior to personality rather than situational factors.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself after injury or in response to learning.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical messenger that transmits signals across synapses.

Infancy

The early stage of human development post-birth characterized by rapid brain growth and development.

Availability Heuristic

Relying on the most readily available information to judge a situation.