Comprehensive Psychology Vocabulary Review

128 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from developmental, social, motivational, emotional, personality, stress, and psychopathology topics.

Developmental Psychology

The scientific study of physical, cognitive, and social change across the lifespan.

Zygote

Single cell formed at conception from the union of an egg and sperm; contains complete genetic material.

Chromosome

Threadlike DNA structure in the cell nucleus that houses thousands of genes.

Gene

Segment of DNA on a chromosome that encodes instructions for making a specific protein.

Genotype

An individual’s complete genetic makeup.

Phenotype

Observable traits resulting from the interaction of genotype and environment.

Sex Chromosomes

The X and Y chromosomes that determine biological sex; XX in females, XY in males.

Epigenetics

Study of how cellular mechanisms regulate gene expression and influence health and behavior without altering DNA sequence.

Prenatal Stage

Period before birth, divided into germinal, embryonic, and fetal periods.

Germinal (Zygotic) Period

First two weeks after conception when the zygote undergoes rapid cell division and implants in the uterus.

Embryonic Period

Weeks 3–8 of prenatal development when major organs and systems form.

Fetal Period

Week 9 to birth; growth and maturation of body systems.

Placenta

Disk-shaped vascular organ that supplies nutrients and filters waste between mother and embryo/fetus.

Teratogen

Any substance or factor that can cause birth defects, especially harmful during the embryonic stage.

Rooting Reflex

Newborn reflex of turning the head and opening the mouth when the cheek is touched.

Temperament

Innate predispositions to behave and react in particular ways.

Attachment

Emotional bond that forms between an infant and caregiver.

Sensorimotor Stage

Piaget’s first stage (birth–2 yrs); knowledge through sensory and motor interactions; object permanence develops.

Preoperational Stage

Piaget’s second stage (ages 2–7); symbolic thought, egocentrism, lack of conservation.

Concrete Operational Stage

Piaget’s third stage (ages 7–11); logical thought about concrete objects and events.

Formal Operational Stage

Piaget’s fourth stage (12 yrs–adult); abstract and hypothetical reasoning.

Puberty

Biological stage in which an individual becomes capable of sexual reproduction.

Primary Sex Characteristics

Organs directly involved in reproduction (e.g., ovaries, testes).

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Non-reproductive traits that develop during puberty (e.g., body hair, voice changes).

Identity

One’s sense of self, including values, beliefs, and goals.

Emerging Adulthood

Period from late teens through twenties marked by exploration of roles and relationships.

Menopause

Natural cessation of menstruation and end of reproductive capacity in women.

Activity Theory of Aging

View that life satisfaction in late adulthood is greatest when people maintain previous levels of activity.

Ego Integrity

Erikson’s sense that one’s life has been meaningful and worthwhile.

Social Psychology

Study of how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by others and the situation.

Social Cognition

Mental processes used to understand and make sense of social environments.

Person Perception

Processes used to form judgments about others’ traits and motives.

Social Norms

Unwritten rules for appropriate behavior in a given situation.

Halo Effect

Tendency for an initial positive impression to influence overall judgment of a person.

Social Categorization

Classifying people into groups based on shared characteristics.

Explicit Cognition

Conscious, deliberate mental processing.

Implicit Cognition

Automatic, unconscious mental processing.

Fundamental Attribution Error

Tendency to attribute others’ behavior to internal traits while underestimating situational factors.

Self-Serving Bias

Attributing one’s successes to internal factors and failures to external factors.

Cognitive Dissonance

Tension from holding conflicting thoughts or when behavior conflicts with attitudes, motivating attitude change.

Prejudice

Negative attitude toward members of a specific social group.

Stereotype

Cluster of characteristics attributed to members of a group, often overgeneralized.

Ingroup Bias

Preferential evaluation of one’s own group and its members.

Outgroup Homogeneity Effect

Perception that members of an outgroup are more similar than they really are.

Microaggression

Subtle, often unintentional biased or prejudiced action or comment.

Conformity

Adjusting behavior or opinions to match those of a group.

Normative Social Influence

Conformity motivated by desire for social approval.

Informational Social Influence

Conformity motivated by desire to be correct.

Obedience

Compliance with a direct command, often from an authority figure.

Bystander Effect

Decreased likelihood of helping as the number of bystanders increases.

Diffusion of Responsibility

Shared obligation among bystanders that reduces personal responsibility to help.

Social Loafing

Exerting less effort on tasks when working in a group than when alone.

Deindividuation

Loss of self-awareness and restraint in group situations that foster anonymity.

Motivation

Biological, emotional, cognitive, or social forces that activate and direct behavior.

Activation (Motivation)

Initiation of behavior to achieve a goal.

Persistence (Motivation)

Continued effort toward a goal despite obstacles.

Intensity (Motivation)

Vigor with which behavior is pursued.

Drive Theory

Concept that behavior is motivated by desire to reduce internal tension caused by unmet biological needs.

Homeostasis

Body’s tendency to maintain internal equilibrium (e.g., temperature, energy).

Incentive Theory

Behavior motivated by external goals or rewards.

Arousal Theory

People seek to maintain an optimal level of arousal—neither too high nor too low.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Optimal arousal level for performance varies with task complexity and practice.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Motivational theory arranging needs from physiological to self-actualization.

Self-Determination Theory (SDT)

Well-being depends on satisfying needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Intrinsic Motivation

Desire to engage in activity for its own sake and enjoyment.

Extrinsic Motivation

Behavior driven by external rewards or pressures.

Growth Mindset

Belief that abilities can be developed through effort and learning.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

Energy expenditure for vital body functions at rest.

Ghrelin

Stomach hormone that stimulates appetite; rises before meals and falls after eating.

Leptin

Hormone produced by fat cells that signals satiety and regulates hunger.

Set-Point Theory

The body’s tendency to maintain a particular weight range.

Emotion

Complex state involving subjective experience, physiological response, and expressive behavior.

Amygdala

Limbic system structure critical for processing emotions, especially fear.

James-Lange Theory

Emotion arises from perception of bodily changes.

Two-Factor Theory (Schachter-Singer)

Emotion results from physiological arousal plus cognitive interpretation of that arousal.

Cognitive Appraisal Theory

Emotion results from personal interpretation of the significance of an event.

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

Facial expressions can influence and trigger the subjective experience of emotions.

Psychopathology

Scientific study of the origins, symptoms, and development of psychological disorders.

Anxiety Disorder

Category of disorders where extreme anxiety is the main feature and disrupts functioning.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Chronic, pervasive, and excessive anxiety and worry.

Panic Disorder

Recurrent unexpected panic attacks and fear of future attacks.

Agoraphobia

Fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable during panic-like symptoms.

Specific Phobia

Irrational fear of a specific object or situation that is actively avoided.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Extreme fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Disorder following trauma with intrusive memories, avoidance, negative mood, and heightened arousal.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Presence of intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) aimed at reducing anxiety.

Major Depressive Disorder

Severe, persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest that impair functioning.

Bipolar Disorder

Mood disorder characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania.

Manic Episode

Period of abnormally elevated mood, energy, and activity lasting at least a week.

Anorexia Nervosa

Eating disorder involving severe weight loss, fear of weight gain, and body image distortion.

Bulimia Nervosa

Binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting or laxative use.

Personality Disorder

Enduring, inflexible pattern of behavior and inner experience that deviates from cultural expectations and impairs functioning.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Pervasive disregard for and violation of the rights of others; often called psychopathy or sociopathy.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Instability in relationships, self-image, and emotions, with impulsivity.

Schizophrenia

Severe disorder involving distorted thoughts, perceptions, emotions, and behavior.

Delusion

Firmly held false belief despite contradictory evidence.

Hallucination

Sensory perception without external stimulus; often auditory in schizophrenia.

Id

Unconscious part of personality driven by basic instincts and the pleasure principle.

Ego

Rational component of personality that operates on the reality principle.

Superego

Moral component of personality representing internalized societal and parental standards.