EBQ Positive Psychology - Possible Outside Terms

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron (nerve cell) to another 'target' neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell

Dopamine

excitatory neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure, movement, learning, and attention

Prefrontal Cortex

higher-order thinking, executive functions; home of majority of “mirror neurons”

Limbic System

neural structures associated with emotion, motivated behavior, and learning and memory functioning

Cerebral Cortex

outer covering of two hemispheres and responsible for the most complex parts of perception, emotion, movement, and thought

Selective Attention

the focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus while tuning out the rest (Cocktail Party Effect); can be linked to mindfulness practices

Operant Conditioning

learning of associations between responses and consequences in situations where behavior is voluntary; can be linked to reinforcing positive behavior to build habits that contribute to well-being

Secure Attachment

a strong emotional bond where the individual feels confident and supported

Insecure Attachment

emotional bond characterized by anxiety or avoidance

Flashbulb Memory

being able to remember exactly what someone was doing during a specific event; can impact subjective well-being

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

expectations about a person lead to behaviors that make those expectations come true; reinforces optimism

Collectivism

prioritizing group harmony over personal goals; can contribute to engagement and a sense of belonging

Self-Concept

an understanding you have of yourself that includes elements such as intelligence level, gender identity roles, racial identity roles etc.

Internal Locus of Control

belief that personal actions influence outcome; linked to higher motivation and resilience

External Locus of Control

belief that outcomes are due to luck or external factors; linked to learned helplessness