PSYC 160 FA2025 Exam Preparation Worksheet – Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from Bronfenbrenner’s model through early development and related theories.

Microsystem

Immediate environment in which a person directly interacts (e.g., family, school).

Macrosystem

Broader cultural values, laws, and norms that shape development.

Mesosystem

Interconnections between microsystems (e.g., parent–teacher conferences affecting a child).

Exosystem

Settings the individual does not directly interact with but that influence them (e.g., a parent's workplace).

Chronosystem

Life transitions and historical events over time (e.g., moving, growing up during COVID-19).

Cross-sectional study

Compares different age groups at one point in time.

Longitudinal study

Follows the same individuals over a long period to observe change.

Cross-sequential study

Combines cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches; studies multiple groups over time.

Cognitive perspective

Focuses on thought processes: thinking, learning, memory, and information processing.

Behavioral perspective

Focuses on observable behaviors shaped by reinforcement and punishment.

Social Cognitive perspective

Emphasizes learning by observing others and self-efficacy.

Humanistic perspective

Emphasizes personal growth, free will, and self-actualization.

Psychoanalytic perspective

Emphasizes unconscious drives, early experiences, and internal conflicts.

Biopsychological perspective

Emphasizes biology and physiological bases of behavior.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

Independent variable (IV)

The variable that is deliberately manipulated.

Dependent variable (DV)

The variable measured to assess the effect of the IV.

Control group

Group not receiving the treatment; serves as a baseline.

Experimental group

Group receiving the treatment or manipulation.

Random assignment

Assigning participants to groups by chance to reduce bias.

Positive correlation

Both variables increase together or decrease together.

Negative correlation

One variable increases while the other decreases.

Naturalistic observation

Observing behavior in a real-world setting with high realism and low control.

Laboratory observation

Observation conducted in a controlled environment with higher control.

Design study

Planning and outlining how to test a hypothesis.

Test (in an experiment)

Administering the procedure or task to collect data.

Collect data

Gathering results from measurements or observations.

Analyze

Interpreting data to determine what they reveal about the hypothesis.

Communicate results

Sharing findings with others (reports, presentations, publications).

Informed consent

Permission granted with understanding of procedures, risks, and benefits.

No harm

Principle of minimizing potential physical or psychological harm.

Debriefing

Providing participants with full explanation after participation.

Right to withdraw

Participants may leave a study at any time without penalty.

Confidentiality

Protecting participants’ privacy and data.

Race

Socially defined categories based on physical traits (e.g., skin color).

Ethnicity

Cultural identity, including language, ancestry, and traditions.

Social construct

A concept created and accepted by society, not inherently natural.

Diathesis-stress model

Predisposition interacts with stress to increase disorder risk.

Vantage sensitivity

Some individuals are more responsive to positive environments.

Differential susceptibility

Some individuals are more responsive to both positive and negative environments.

Neural transmission

Electrochemical communication between neurons.

Synapse

Gap across which neurotransmitters travel to pass signals.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers released by neurons to transmit signals.

Reuptake

Reabsorption of neurotransmitters from the synaptic gap.

Synaptogenesis

Rapid formation of new synaptic connections.

Synaptic pruning

Elimination of unused or weak synapses to increase efficiency.

Myelination

Formation of a myelin sheath around axons to speed transmission.

Equilibrium (Piaget)

Mental balance when existing schemas fit experiences.

Disequilibrium (Piaget)

Cognitive conflict that motivates schema modification.

Assimilation

Fitting new information into existing schemas.

Accommodation

Adjusting schemas to incorporate new information.

Sensorimotor stage

Piaget stage where learning occurs through senses and actions; object permanence emerges.

Object permanence

Understanding that objects continue to exist when not seen.

Cooing

Early vowel-like sounds (about 2–3 months).

Babbling

Repeated consonant–vowel sounds (about 6–9 months).

First words

Simple words around 1 year; basic meaning.

Telegraphic speech

Two-word combinations around age 2 (e.g., want juice).

Language development

Progression from babbling to words to grammar and complex sentences.

Primary emotions

Universal emotions appearing in the first year (happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, disgust).

Secondary emotions

Later emotions requiring self-awareness (pride, shame, guilt, embarrassment, jealousy).

Attachment

Close, enduring emotional bond between infant and caregiver.

Strange Situation

Structured observation to assess infant-caregiver attachment style.

Secure attachment

Explores freely; distressed by separation; comforted and easily soothed on reunion.

Insecure-avoidant

Explores independently; little distress at separation; avoids caregiver upon return.

Insecure-resistant

Stays close, anxious; distressed by separation; seeks contact but resists comfort.

Disorganized attachment

Confused/contradictory behavior; fear or inconsistent responses.

Behavioral Inhibition

Tendency to be shy or withdrawn in new situations.

Surgency-Extraversion

High activity level, impulsivity, positive affect, sociability.

Negative Affectivity

Proneness to distress, frustration, fear, or sadness.

Effortful Control

Ability to regulate attention, emotion, and behavior.

Goodness-of-fit

How well a child’s temperament matches the environment and parenting.

Interactional synchrony

Coordinated back-and-forth interactions between caregiver and infant.

Trust vs Mistrust

Erikson stage (0–1 year): responsiveness builds trust; inconsistency leads to mistrust.

Autonomy vs Shame/Doubt

Erikson stage (approx. 1–3 years): encouragement of independence builds autonomy; overcontrolling leads to shame/doubt.