A-F Psych

Aaron Beck

Developed cognitive therapy and identified negative thought patterns (cognitive triad)

Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Pyramid of needs from physiological to self-actualization

Absolute Threshold

Minimum stimulation needed to detect a stimulus 50% of the time

Accommodation

Adjusting schemas to fit new information

Achievement Tests

Tests measuring what a person has learned

Achievement Motivation

Desire to accomplish goals and meet standards of excellence

Acoustic Transduction

Conversion of sound waves into neural signals

Acoustic Encoding

Encoding information based on sound

Acquisition

Initial learning phase of conditioning

Action Potential

Neural impulse traveling down an axon

Activation Synthesis Theory

Dreams are the brain making sense of random neural activity

Active Listening

Empathetic listening involving reflection and feedback

Actor-Observer Bias

Attributing others’ behavior to traits and our own to situations

Addiction

Compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences

Adolescence

Transition from childhood to adulthood

Adrenal Glands

Glands that release stress hormones like adrenaline

Adrenaline

Hormone that triggers fight-or-flight response

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Early trauma linked to later health problems

Affiliation Need

Desire for social connection

Agonists

Drugs that increase neurotransmitter activity

Agoraphobia

Fear of situations where escape is difficult

Aggression

Behavior intended to harm others

Albert Bandura

Psychologist known for observational learning

Albert Ellis

Founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

Alfred Adler

Emphasized inferiority complex and striving for superiority

Algorithms

Step-by-step problem-solving procedures

All-or-None Response

Neuron fires fully or not at all

Alpha Brain Waves

Relaxed but awake brain activity

Altruism

Selfless concern for others

Alzheimer’s Disease

Progressive memory loss disorder

Ambivalent Attachment

Insecure attachment with clinginess and anxiety

Ambidexterity

Ability to use both hands equally

Ames Room

Distorted room illusion affecting perceived size

Amygdala

Brain structure for emotion and fear

Androgyny

Possessing both masculine and feminine traits

Anorexia (Nervosa)

Eating disorder with extreme restriction

Antagonists

Drugs that block neurotransmitters

Anterograde Amnesia

Inability to form new memories

Antianxiety Drugs

Drugs that reduce anxiety

Antidepressants

Drugs that treat depression

Antipsychotic Drugs

Drugs used to treat psychotic disorders

Anti-Social Behaviors

Behaviors that harm or lack regard for others

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Lack of empathy and disregard for rules

Anxiety

Persistent worry or fear

Anxiety Disorders

Disorders involving excessive fear or anxiety

Anxious Attachment

Fearful and clingy attachment style

Aphasia: Broca’s and Wernicke’s

Language production vs comprehension impairments

Aptitude Tests

Tests predicting future performance

Asexuality

Lack of sexual attraction

Assimilation

Interpreting new info using existing schemas

Association Areas

Brain areas for higher thinking

Associative Learning

Learning that events are connected

Atkinson-Shiffrin

3-Stage Model

Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder

Inattention and/or hyperactivity disorder

Attitudes

Beliefs and feelings influencing behavior

Attraction factors

Proximity

Attribution Theory

Explains how we assign causes to behavior

Audition

Hearing

Auditory Canal

Pathway for sound to eardrum

Authoritarian Parenting Style

Strict

Authoritative Parenting Style

Balanced

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Disorder affecting communication and behavior

Autokinetic Effect

Illusion of movement of a stationary light

Automatic Processing

Unconscious encoding of information

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary functions

Availability Heuristic

Judging likelihood by ease of recall

Aversive Conditioning

Using unpleasant stimulus to reduce behavior

Avoidant Attachment

Emotionally distant attachment

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Social inhibition and feelings of inadequacy

Axon

Neuron part that sends signals

Babbling

Early speech stage where infants produce random sounds

Baby Albert

Experiment showing classical conditioning of fear

Bandura and Bobo Doll

Study demonstrating observational learning and imitation

Barbiturates

Depressant drugs that reduce anxiety but impair memory and judgment

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

Minimum energy needed to maintain bodily functions at rest

Basic Trust

Erikson stage where infants learn trust vs mistrust

Behavior Feedback Effect

Behavior influences thoughts and feelings

Behavior Genetics

Study of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

Behavior Therapy

Therapy using learning principles to change behavior

Behavioral Approach

Focus on observable behaviors and learning

Behaviorism

Study of behavior without reference to mental processes

Belief Perseverance

Clinging to beliefs despite contradictory evidence

Big-Five (CANOE)

Personality traits: Conscientiousness

Binet

Developed early intelligence tests and mental age concept

Binocular Cues

Depth cues requiring both eyes

BioPsychoSocial Approach

Interaction of biological

Biological Approach

Focus on brain

Biological Psychology

Study of biological bases of behavior

Biomedical Therapy

Use of medication or medical procedures to treat disorders

Bipolar Disorder (I and II)

Mood disorder with manic and depressive episodes

Blindsight

Ability to respond to visual stimuli without conscious awareness

Blindspot

Area in retina with no receptors

Body Dysmorphia

Obsessive focus on perceived physical flaws

Borderline Personality Disorder

Instability in relationships

Bottom-Up Processing

Building perception from sensory input

Brainstem

Controls basic life functions like breathing and heartbeat

Broaden and Build Theory of Emotion

Positive emotions expand thinking and build resources

Bulimia Disorder

Eating disorder involving bingeing and purging

Bulimia (Nervosa)

Repeated binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors

Bystander Effect

Less likely to help when others are present