U5- Mental and Physical health

motivations

Reasons or drives behind behaviors.
Ex: Hunger motivates eating.

physiological needs

Basic survival requirements (e.g., food, water).
Ex: Thirst drives us to drink.

drive-reduction theory

Motivation arises from the desire to reduce internal tension from unmet needs.
Ex: You eat to reduce hunger.

homeostasis

The body’s tendency to maintain internal balance.
Ex: Sweating cools the body to maintain temperature.

incentives

External rewards or punishments that influence behavior.
Ex: Studying harder for a cash reward.

yerke dodson law

Moderate arousal leads to optimal performance; too little or too much hurts it.
Ex: A bit of stress helps you perform better on a test.

affiliation need

The need to build and maintain relationships.
Ex: Joining clubs to feel connected.

self determination theory

Motivation thrives when autonomy, competence, and relatedness are supported.
Ex: A student learns better when they choose their topic.

intrinsically motivated

Doing something for its own sake.
Ex: Reading because you enjoy it.

extrinsically motivated

Doing something for a reward or to avoid punishment.
Ex: Studying to get a good grade.

ostracism

Being excluded or ignored socially.
Ex: Feeling hurt when unfriended online.

achievement motivation

A desire for significant accomplishment.
Ex: Training hard to win a medal.

grit

Passion and perseverance toward long-term goals.
Ex: Practicing piano daily for years.

glucose

A simple sugar that circulates in the blood and provides energy for body tissues; when its level is low, we feel hungry.
Example: A drop in_____ triggers the brain to signal that it's time to eat.

set point

The weight range your body naturally tries to maintain by regulating hunger and metabolism.
Example: After losing weight, the body may slow metabolism and increase hunger to return to its set point.

basal metabolic rate

The rate at which the body uses energy when at rest to maintain basic bodily functions like breathing and heartbeat.
Example: People with a low _____ may gain weight more easily because their bodies burn fewer calories at rest.

obesity

A condition characterized by excessive body fat that increases the risk of health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and depression.
Example: Genetics, lifestyle, and environment all play roles in the development of obesity.

polygraph

A machine that measures physiological responses (like heart rate and sweating) to detect lies, based on the assumption that lying causes stress.
Example: ______ are unreliable because anxiety can increase arousal even when someone is telling the truth.

facial feedback effect

The tendency for facial expressions to influence emotional experiences.
Example: Smiling can actually make you feel happier, even if you weren’t feeling that way initially.

behavior feedback effect

Body movements and posture can influence our emotions and thoughts.
Example: Walking upright with a confident stride can boost positive feelings.

health psychology

A subfield of psychology that studies how biological, psychological, and social factors affect health and illness.
Example: _________ might study how stress influences heart disease or how habits affect recovery.

psychoneuroimmunology

The study of how psychological factors like stress affect the immune system and overall health.
Example: Chronic stress can weaken immune responses, making you more vulnerable to illness.

stress

The process by which we perceive and respond to challenging or threatening events (stressors).
Example: Stress can be helpful short-term (e.g., motivating), but harmful when prolonged.

approach and avoidance

type of conflict involving one goal or event that has both positive (attractive) and negative (repelling) aspects.

Example: choosing between a job offer that offers a higher salary but comes with a demanding workload

motives

a need or want that drives an individual to act in a particular way.
Example: biological needs, like hunger and thirst, and psychological desires like the need to achieve or the need for affiliation.

general adaptation syndrome

Hans Selye’s concept of the body’s stress response in three phases: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
Example: Long-term stress leads to exhaustion, weakening the body’s defenses.

tend and befriend response

Under stress, especially in women, people seek social support and care for others.
Example: After a stressful day, someone might call a friend or comfort their child.

coronary heart disease

The clogging of the heart's blood vessels, often linked to stress, poor diet, and lack of exercise.
Example: High-stress lifestyles increase the risk of developing__________

Type A personality

Competitive, impatient, aggressive individuals more prone to stress and heart problems.
Example: A person who’s constantly rushing and gets angry in traffic may be Type A.

Type B personality

Easygoing and relaxed individuals who are less likely to experience stress-related illnesses.
Example: Someone who stays calm even during a crisis likely fits the Type B profile

Catharsis

The idea that releasing aggressive energy (through action or fantasy) relieves aggressive urges.
Example: Hitting a punching bag when angry may temporarily reduce tension, but doesn’t always solve the underlying problem.

Cope

Efforts to manage stress using emotional, cognitive, or behavioral strategies.
Example: People ___ with loss by talking to friends, exercising, or seeking therapy.

problem focused coping

Addressing stress by tackling the problem directly.
Example: After failing a test, a student studies harder or meets with a tutor.

emotion focused coping

Trying to reduce stress by managing emotions rather than the problem itself.
Example: Listening to music to feel better after an argument.

personal control

A sense of having power over your environment and outcomes.
Example: People with high personal control tend to handle stress better and stay healthier.

learned helplessness

When repeated failures or lack of control lead to passive resignation.
Example: A dog shocked without escape eventually stops trying, even when escape becomes possible.

external locus of control

Belief that external forces like fate or luck control your life.
Example: Believing your success depends only on good luck or others’ actions.

internal locus of control

Belief that you control your own fate through effort and decisions.
Example: Someone with an internal locus works hard believing they can shape their future.

self-control

The ability to delay gratification and resist short-term temptations for long-term rewards.
Example: Not checking your phone while studying shows high self-control.

positive psychology

The branch of psychology focused on studying and promoting strengths, virtues, and happiness.
Example: _________ encourages people to focus on gratitude and strengths rather than just treating mental illness.

subjective well being

How people experience the quality of their lives, including emotional reactions and cognitive judgments.
Example: A person who feels happy and satisfied with their life experiences high subjective well-being.

feel good-do good phenomenon

The tendency to be more helpful when in a good mood.
Example: After receiving good news, you might feel motivated to help others more.

adaptation level phenomenon

The tendency to judge new experiences based on prior ones, leading to a "new normal."
Example: After getting a raise, the initial excitement fades as you adjust to your new income.

relative deprivation

The sense that one is worse off compared to others, leading to dissatisfaction.
Example: Feeling unhappy about your job because a friend has a higher-paying position.

broaden and build theory

The idea that positive emotions broaden our awareness and help us build resources for the future.
Example: Experiencing joy from a hobby may improve your social connections and coping skills over time.

character strengths and virtues

Positive traits that contribute to an individual’s well-being and moral excellence.
Example: Honesty, kindness, and perseverance are considered character strengths that promote a good life.

psychological disorders

Patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that are deviant, distressing, and dysfunctional.
Example: Depression is a psychological disorder that causes persistent sadness and a lack of interest in life.

medical model

The view that psychological disorders are illnesses that have biological causes and can be treated medically.
Example: Using medication to treat depression based on its neurochemical causes.

diathesis-stress model

A theory that suggests disorders develop when a predispositional vulnerability (diathesis) interacts with stress.
Example: Someone with a genetic predisposition for schizophrenia might develop the disorder under stressful life events.

epigenetics

The study of how environmental factors influence gene expression without altering the DNA sequence.
Example: Childhood trauma can turn certain genes on or off, affecting mental health later in life.

DSM-5-TR

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision, used for diagnosing psychological disorders.
Example: Clinicians refer to the DSM-5-TR to determine whether a person meets criteria for disorders like anxiety or depression.

anxiety disorders

A group of disorders characterized by excessive and persistent fear or worry.
Example: Generalized Anxiety Disorder involves chronic worry about multiple aspects of life, often without a specific cause.

social anxiety disorder

An intense fear of being judged or negatively evaluated in social or performance situations.
Example: A person with ____might avoid parties or public speaking out of fear of embarrassment.

generalized anxiety disorder

A disorder marked by excessive, uncontrollable worry about various life events.
Example: Sarah worries about everything, from her job to her health, even when there is no immediate threat.

panic disorder

A disorder characterized by recurring panic attacks, sudden feelings of terror or dread.
Example: Someone with panic disorder might experience a rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath without a clear cause.

agoraphobia

Fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable, often leading to avoidance of public places.
Example: A person with ____ may avoid crowded places like shopping malls.

specific phobias

Intense, irrational fears of specific objects or situations, such as spiders or heights.
Example: Someone with a fear of flying might avoid air travel altogether.

hoarding disorders

A persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, leading to clutter that disrupts living areas.
Example: A person with hoarding disorder might keep items like newspapers or old clothes that no longer serve a purpose.

OCD

A disorder characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).
Example: Washing hands repeatedly to remove germs, even after they’re already clean, is an example of OCD.

PTSD

A disorder triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, leading to flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional numbness.
Example: A veteran may experience PTSD after combat, reliving traumatic events long after returning home.

trauma and stressor-related disorders

Disorders caused by exposure to traumatic or stressful events, leading to emotional and behavioral responses.
Example: Acute stress disorder can occur immediately after a traumatic event and may develop into PTSD.

depressive disorders

A group of disorders characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities.
Example: Major Depressive Disorder involves symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes, and a depressed mood for at least two weeks.

bipolar disorders

Disorders involving mood swings between extreme highs (mania) and lows (depression).
Example: In Bipolar I Disorder, an individual may experience manic episodes with high energy, followed by depressive episodes.

persistent depressive disorder

A chronic, low-grade depression lasting for at least two years.
Example: A person with ________ may feel down or hopeless most of the time but without the extreme lows of major depression.

delusions

False beliefs that are strongly held despite evidence to the contrary, commonly seen in psychotic disorders.
Example: A person might believe they are being persecuted by the government, even without any evidence.

chronic schizophrenia

A long-term form of schizophrenia where symptoms are persistent and often impair daily functioning.
Example: Chronic schizophrenia may involve frequent hospitalization and difficulty maintaining relationships or employment.

acute schizophrenia

A form of schizophrenia that develops suddenly and may be triggered by stress, often with the possibility of recovery.
Example: Acute schizophrenia may involve severe hallucinations and delusions, but some people recover with treatment.

dissociative disorders

Disorders involving disruptions or gaps in memory, identity, or consciousness, often due to trauma.
Example: ________ can cause someone to feel detached from their own body or forget personal information.

DID

A disorder where a person has two or more distinct identities or personality states, often due to severe trauma.
Example: A person with DID may feel like they are switching between different personalities with distinct memories and behaviors.

Dissociative amnesia

A memory disorder characterized by an inability to recall important personal information, usually after trauma or stress.
Example: After a car accident, someone might forget the event entirely or significant parts of their past.

personality disorder

A group of mental disorders involving long-term patterns of behavior and thinking that deviate significantly from cultural expectations.
Example: People with personality disorders may have trouble functioning in relationships and work due to rigid thought patterns.

anti-social personality disorder

A personality disorder marked by disregard for others' rights, impulsivity, and deceitfulness.
Example: A person with _________ might engage in criminal behavior without remorse.

deinstitutionalization

The process of releasing individuals from long-term psychiatric hospitals, often to community-based care.
Example: Many people with mental illness were moved from hospitals to outpatient treatment during the_____ movement.

psychotherapy

A treatment for psychological disorders that involves talking with a trained professional to explore thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Example: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of ____focused on changing negative thought patterns.

biomedical therapy

Treatments for psychological disorders that involve medication or medical procedures.
Example: Antidepressants are a common ________ used to treat depression.

eclectic approach

A therapeutic approach that integrates techniques from different schools of psychotherapy to fit the client's needs.
Example: A therapist might combine elements of cognitive therapy with mindfulness practices for a more holistic treatment approach.

psychoanalysis

Freud’s therapeutic technique for treating psychological disorders by interpreting unconscious desires and childhood experiences.
Example: A psychoanalyst might ask a client to free-associate, revealing repressed memories and unconscious thoughts.

resistance

In psychoanalysis, the blocking of anxiety-laden material from consciousness during therapy.
Example: A patient might avoid discussing a certain topic because it triggers painful memories.

interpretation

In psychoanalysis, the therapist's attempt to make sense of the patient's unconscious thoughts and behaviors.
Example: The therapist might suggest that a client's recurring dream represents unresolved feelings of guilt.

transference

The process in psychotherapy where clients project feelings about important people in their lives onto the therapist.
Example: A client might treat their therapist like a parental figure, transferring past feelings of resentment or affection.

psychodynamic therapists

Therapists who focus on uncovering unconscious motivations and how they affect current behavior.
Example: Psychodynamic therapy emphasizes the influence of childhood experiences on present relationships and behaviors.

insight therapies

Therapies aimed at increasing a person's awareness of underlying causes of their mental health issues.
Example: _____ such as psychoanalysis, help individuals gain understanding of the unconscious conflicts affecting their life.

person-centered therapy

A humanistic therapy developed by Carl Rogers where the therapist provides a non-judgmental, empathetic environment to help the client reach self-actualization.
Example: The therapist uses active listening and unconditional positive regard to create a safe space for growth.

active listening

A technique in which the therapist fully concentrates, understands, and responds to the client’s verbal and nonverbal communication.
Example: A therapist may repeat or paraphrase what the client says to ensure understanding and create trust.

unconditional positive regard

Carl Rogers' concept where therapists accept and support their clients regardless of what they say or do.
Example: In person-centered therapy, the therapist offers unconditional positive regard, showing acceptance without judgment.

behavior therapists

Therapists who apply learning principles to change maladaptive behaviors, such as using reinforcement or punishment.
Example: A behavior therapist might use reinforcement to encourage a child to complete their homework.

counterconditioning

A behavioral therapy technique that pairs a conditioned stimulus with a new response, often used to undo a phobia.
Example: If someone is afraid of dogs, _____ might involve gradually exposing them to dogs while they practice relaxation techniques.

exposure therapies

Behavioral therapies that involve exposing the person to the feared object or situation in a controlled environment.
Example: In systematic desensitization, a person with a phobia is gradually exposed to the feared object while practicing relaxation techniques.

systematic desensitization

A type of exposure therapy that uses gradual exposure and relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety.
Example: Someone with a fear of flying might first imagine a plane, then visit an airport, and eventually take a short flight.

virtual reality exposure therapy

A type of exposure therapy where the person is immersed in a virtual environment to confront fears in a controlled setting.
Example: Virtual reality therapy can be used for people with a fear of heights by simulating high places in a virtual world.

aversive conditioning

A technique that pairs an undesirable behavior with an unpleasant stimulus to reduce the behavior.
Example: A therapist might use _______ to help someone stop smoking by pairing the act of smoking with a mild electric shock.

token economy

A system where desired behaviors are reinforced with tokens that can be exchanged for rewards.
Example: A teacher might use a token economy in the classroom, giving students tokens for good behavior that they can trade for privileges.

cognitive therapies

Therapies that focus on changing faulty or distorted thinking patterns to improve emotional responses and behaviors.
Example: ________ helps individuals identify and challenge irrational thoughts, such as "I'm worthless."

REBT (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy)

A form of cognitive therapy that focuses on changing irrational beliefs to reduce emotional distress.
Example: In _______, a therapist might challenge the belief that "I must be perfect" by showing the client that perfection is unrealistic.

CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy)

A therapy that combines cognitive and behavioral techniques to change negative thinking and behaviors.
Example: ____ can help a person with depression identify negative thought patterns and replace them with more balanced thoughts.

Psychopharmacology

The study of how drugs affect the mind and behavior.
Example: _______ includes the study of medications like antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anti-anxiety drugs.

antipsychotic drugs

Medications used to manage symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders by affecting dopamine receptors.
Example: Medications like Risperdal are used to help reduce hallucinations and delusions in people with schizophrenia.

antianxiety drugs

Medications that reduce anxiety, often by enhancing the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA.
Example: Benzodiazepines, such as Valium or Xanax, are commonly prescribed to treat short-term anxiety.

antidepressant drugs

Medications that help alleviate symptoms of depression by altering the levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin.
Example: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac, are commonly used to treat depression.

ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy)

A biomedical treatment that involves sending electric currents through the brain to treat severe depression.
Example: _____ is typically used when other treatments for severe depression, like medication, have been ineffective.