Psych Chapers 11-14

What is social psychology?

The study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by others.

What is the bystander effect, and why does it happen?

People are less likely to help when others are present. It happens because of diffusion of responsibility and assuming someone else will help.

What are stereotypes?

Generalized beliefs about a group of people.

What is stereotype threat, how does it contribute to prejudice, and what can be done about it?

Anxiety about confirming a negative stereotype about your group, which can hurt performance. It can be reduced by challenging stereotypes, creating supportive environments, and emphasizing individual ability.

What is attribution theory? Identify the three dimensions.

How people explain the causes of behavior. The three dimensions are internal/external, stable/unstable, and controllable/uncontrollable.

What is the fundamental attribution error (FAE)?

Overestimating personality factors and underestimating situational factors when explaining someone else's behavior. Example: Assuming a student is lazy because they are late instead of considering that their car broke down.

What are attitudes and how do they influence behavior?

Attitudes are evaluations or feelings toward people, objects, or ideas. They can influence how we think, feel, and behave.

What is cognitive dissonance, and how can we reduce it?

Discomfort from conflicting beliefs or behaviors. We can reduce it by changing our behavior, changing our beliefs, or rationalizing the inconsistency.

What is altruism and how is it different from egoism?

Altruism = helping others without expecting a reward. Egoism = behavior motivated by self-interest.

What is empathy and how does it affect prosocial behavior?

Understanding and sharing another person's feelings. Empathy can increase helping and prosocial behavior.

What is aggression? What causes aggression?

Behavior intended to harm someone. Causes include biological factors, psychological factors, and sociocultural influences.

What is conformity? What are two factors that contribute to it?

Changing behavior or beliefs to match a group. Factors include group pressure and desire to fit in.

What is obedience?

Following the commands of an authority figure.

What is deindividuation and how does it influence behavior?

Loss of self-awareness and personal responsibility in a group, which can lead to more impulsive or aggressive behavior.

What is groupthink? How can it be prevented?

When a group prioritizes agreement over critical thinking. It can be prevented by encouraging disagreement, considering alternatives, and having independent opinions.

What is prejudice and what factors contribute to it?

A negative attitude or feeling toward a group. Factors include stereotypes, social learning, competition, and in-group bias.

What is systematic racism and how does it work?

Racism built into social institutions, policies, and systems, which can create unequal outcomes between racial groups.

What are microaggressions?

Subtle, often unintentional comments or behaviors that communicate negative or insulting messages toward a marginalized group.

What is discrimination?

Unfair behavior or actions toward someone because of their group membership.

What is the difference between prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination?

Prejudice = Affect (Feelings/attitudes). Stereotypes = Cognition (Beliefs/thoughts). Discrimination = Action (Behavior).

What are the three criteria used to define abnormal behavior?

Deviant, maladaptive, and personally distressful.

How does culture and context influence abnormal behavior?

Behavior abnormal in one culture may be normal in another; norms and context affect interpretation.

What causes psychological disorders according to the biological/medical model?

Biological factors such as genes, brain chemistry, brain structure, and physiology.

What factors contribute to psychological disorders according to the psychological approach?

Thoughts, emotions, behaviors, learning, personality, and past experiences.

What does the sociocultural approach emphasize?

How culture, society, relationships, and environment influence disorders and their treatment.

What causes psychological disorders according to the biopsychosocial approach?

A combination of biological, psychological, and social factors.

What is the DSM-5?

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; classifies and describes psychological disorders.

What are the main characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Difficulties with social communication/interactions and restricted or repetitive behaviors/interests.

What are the main characteristics of ADHD?

Persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity that interfere with functioning.

What are the main characteristics of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Excessive, difficult-to-control worry about many areas of life, with restlessness, tension, or sleep problems.

What are the main characteristics of Panic Disorder?

Repeated unexpected panic attacks and fear of having additional attacks.

What are the main characteristics of Social Anxiety Disorder?

Intense fear of social situations or being judged/embarrassed by others.

What are the main characteristics of OCD?

Obsessions (unwanted recurring thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors to reduce anxiety).

What are the main characteristics of PTSD?

Intrusive memories/flashbacks, avoidance, negative mood/thought changes, and increased arousal after trauma.

What are the main characteristics of Major Depressive Disorder?

Persistent depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure with changes in sleep, appetite, energy, or concentration.

What are the main characteristics of Bipolar Disorder?

Episodes of mania/hypomania and depression with significant changes in mood and activity.

What are the main characteristics of Anorexia Nervosa?

Severely restricted food intake, significantly low body weight, and intense fear of gaining weight.

What are the main characteristics of Bulimia Nervosa?

Repeated binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting or excessive exercise.

What are the main characteristics of Binge Eating Disorder?

Repeated episodes of unusually large eating with loss of control, without regular compensatory behaviors.

What are the main characteristics of Schizophrenia?

Disturbances in thought, perception, emotion, and behavior, including hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.

What is suicide and what factors contribute to it?

Intentionally ending one's life. Risk involves mental health problems, trauma, hopelessness, and social isolation.

What are examples of stigma related to psychological disorders?

Stereotyping, discrimination, labeling people as 'crazy,' or believing mental illness is a personal weakness.

What are some consequences of stigma?

Social isolation, discrimination, shame, reduced self-esteem, and avoiding treatment.

How can stigma be reduced or eliminated?

Through education, accurate information, respectful language, increased contact, and treatment access.

Clinical psychology

The branch of psychology focused on assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health problems.

Psychotherapy

Treatment using psychological methods to improve mental health.

Providers of psychotherapy

Psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and clinical social workers.

Psychologist vs. psychiatrist

Psychologists provide therapy; psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication.

Sociocultural approach to therapy

Considers how culture, family, relationships, and social environment affect mental health.

Evidence-based practice

Using treatments supported by scientific research and evidence.

Therapeutic alliance

The trusting, cooperative relationship between therapist and client.

Psychodynamic therapies emphasis

Exploring unconscious conflicts, past experiences, and relationships to understand current problems.

Psychoanalysis

Freud's therapy focused on bringing unconscious thoughts into conscious awareness.

Humanistic therapies emphasis

Personal growth, self-awareness, free will, and reaching one's potential.

Client-centered therapy

Therapy where the therapist provides empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard.

Behavior therapies emphasis

Changing learned behaviors through conditioning and reinforcement.

Systematic desensitization

Gradually exposing someone to a feared stimulus while using relaxation techniques.

Cognitive therapies emphasis

Identifying and changing unhelpful or inaccurate thoughts.

Cognitive restructuring

Identifying and replacing negative or irrational thoughts with more realistic ones.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

Therapy changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to improve emotions and functioning.

Integrative therapy

Combining techniques from different therapy approaches to meet a client's needs.

Biological therapies mechanism

Using medications or other biological treatments to change brain functioning.

Antianxiety drugs function

Reduce anxiety and physical symptoms of anxiety.

Antidepressant drugs function

Reduce symptoms of depression by affecting brain neurotransmitters.

Antipsychotic drugs function

Reduce symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.

Cross-cultural competence

The ability to understand and work effectively with people from different cultures.

Importance of cross-cultural competence

Helps therapists provide respectful, culturally appropriate, and effective treatment.

Health psychology

Study of how psychological, behavioral, and social factors affect health.

Stages of Change: Precontemplation

Not considering change.

Stages of Change: Contemplation

Thinking about changing.

Stages of Change: Preparation

Planning to change.

Stages of Change: Action

Actively making the change.

Stages of Change: Maintenance

Continuing the change and preventing relapse.

GAS: Alarm stage

Body reacts to a stressor.

GAS: Resistance stage

Body stays activated while trying to cope.

GAS: Exhaustion stage

Resources become depleted after prolonged stress.

Stress and immune system

Chronic stress weakens immune function, increasing vulnerability to illness.

Psychoneuroimmunology

Study of how psychological processes, nervous system, and immune system interact.

Stress and cardiovascular disease

Chronic stress increases blood pressure, heart rate, and disease risk.

Type A personality

Competitive, impatient, ambitious, and time-urgent.

Type B personality

More relaxed, patient, and less competitive.

Stress and prejudice

Stress increases negative emotions and hostility, raising prejudice.

Health disparities

Differences in health outcomes or healthcare access between groups.

Cognitive appraisal

Evaluating a situation to determine whether it is stressful.

Primary appraisal

Determining if a situation is a threat, challenge, or harm.

Secondary appraisal

Evaluating whether one has resources to cope with a situation.

Coping

Efforts used to manage stress and deal with difficult situations.

Problem-focused coping

Coping that addresses the source of stress directly.

Emotion-focused coping

Coping that manages feelings caused by stress.

Optimism

Expecting positive outcomes in the future.

Hardiness

Personality trait involving commitment, control, and viewing challenges as opportunities.