Psych 1

Cognitive perspective

Focuses on internal mental processes (I.e. thinking, memory, language)

Psychodynamic perspective

Focuses on the unconscious mind, childhood experiences, and past conflicts

Behavioral perspective

Focuses on how we learn through conditioning

Biological perspective

Focuses on the physical body, brain structures, genetics, and nervous system functions

Humanistic perspective

Focuses on personal growth, free will, and achieving individual potential

Evolutionary perspective

Focuses on behavior through natural selection and survival

Cross-cultural/Socio-cultural perspective

Focuses on social rules and cultural backgrounds shape our thoughts and actions

Who contributed to Cognitive Perspective

George Miller, Jerome Bruner, Ulrich Neisser

Who contributed to Behavioral Perspective

J.B Watson

Who contributed to Psychodynamic Perspective

Sigmund Freud

Who contributed to Biological Perspective

Charles Darwin, Paul Broca, Charles Sperry

Who contributed to Humanistic Perspective

Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers

Who contributed to Evolutionary Perspective

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

Who contributed to Cross-Cultural Perspective

Edward Burnett Taylor

What are the steps to the scientific method (in order)

Observation, hypothesis, prediction, experiment, analysis, repeat/replication

What is testing bias?

When tests become unfair due to the over/underestimation of a persons ability based on certain traits or features of a person

Random sampling

A research method where members of a population has an equal chance of being chosen to participate in a study

Random assignment

The usage of chance procedures to place study participants into different experimental groups

Independent variables

The factor the researcher changes, controls, or uses

Dependent variables

The outcome that is measured to see if it changes in response to the independent variable

Operational definitions

A precise measurable description of how a researcher measures or manipulates an abstract concept in a study

Case study

An in-depth detailed examination of a single person, small group, or rare event

Survey

A research method used to collect self-reported data from a sample of people

Naturalistic observation

A research method where psychologists study humans/animals in real worl environments without interfering

Correlational studies

A non-experimental research design that measures two or more variables to see if a relationship exists between them

Random selection

The process of choosing study participants from a larger population by pure chance

Random assignment

An experimental technique where researchers use chance procedures (flipping a coin) to place study participants in random groups

Third variable problem

Occurs when an unmeasured third factor causes changes in both variables being studies

What is the Id

Unconscious part of the human mind driven by satisfying needs and instincts

What is the Ego?

The realistic, rational part of the mind

What is the Superego?

The moral part of the mind, an internal judge

In what order do Freud’s stages of psychosexual development reside in?

Oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital

Oral stage

Mouth (sucking, chewing, smoking, biting)

Anal stage

Anus (bowl, bladder)

Phallic stage

Genitals (sexual dysfunction, struggles with authority/identity)

Latency stage

Sexual impulses are dormant and redirected to social pursuits

Genital stage

Mature sexual interests and relationships

Defense mechanism: Repression

Unconsciously blocking distressing thoughts/memories from reaching conscious awareness

Defense mechanism: Denial

Refusal to accept or acknowledge an external reality

Defense mechanism: Projection

Attributing ones own unacceptable feelings/thoughts onto someone else

Defense mechanism: Displacement

Redirecting an emotional reaction from a dangerous target onto a safer one

Defense mechanism: Regression

Reverting to behaviors from younger development stages

Defense mechanism: Reaction Formation

Expressing the exact opposite behavior one truly feels inside

Defense mechanism: Rationalization

Creating logical explanation to justify unacceptable behaviors

Defense mechanism: Sublimation

Channeling unacceptable urges into socially constructive and productive activities

Free Association

When a person speaks aloud their thoughts, words, or images whatever enters their mind without filtration

What was Freud’s interpretation of dreams?

He thought that dreams were disguised fulfillment of repressed unconscious wishes

Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

A trigger that naturally causes a reaction without prior training

Unconditioned response (UCR/UR)

The natural, unlearned and reflexive reaction to the unconditioned stimulus

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral cue that, after being repeated paired with the (UCS) triggers a learned reaction

Unconditioned response (CR)

The learned reaction to the previously neutral cue now happening because of the (CS)

Acquisition

The initial stage of learning or conditioning when a person/animal first establishes a new behavior (a neutral stimulus to a response)

Extinction

The weakening of a learned behavior when it is no longer reinforced

Spontaneous recovery

The sudden reappearance of a previously extinguished learned behavior

Generalization

The tendency to respond the same way to similar stimuli or situations

Discrimination

The learned ability to distinguish between a specific cue or stimulus

What is Thorndike’s Law of Effect?

Behaviors followed by satisfying or positive consequences are more likely to be repeated

What is the Operant chamber/Skinner box

A controlled laboratory apparatus used to study animal behavior

What was Skinner’s view of free will?

Free will is an illusion and a prescientific superstition

Reinforcers (primary)

A naturally rewarding stimulus that satisfies basic biological needs

Reinforcers (secondary)

A learned stimulus that reinforces a behavior

Positive reinforcement

Adding something desirable to increase the targets behavior

Negative reinforcement

Taking away something aversive to increase the targets behavior

Positive punishment

The addition of an aversive stimulus to decrease behavior

Negative punishment

The removal of a desirable stimulus to decrease behavior

Fixed ratio schedule

Reinforcement given after an action is completed a certain number of times

Variable ratio schedule

Reinforcement given after an action completed a varying amount of times

Fixed interval schedule

Reinforcement given after an fixed period of time if an action is completed

Variable interval schedule

Reinforcement given after a varying period of time if action is completed

Explicit motivation

Conscious goals and intentions that people knowing do through deliberate decision making

Implicit motivation

Non-conscious emotional drives that lead human behaviors towards specific rewards

Activation

The physiological arousal of the brain and body

Persistence

The voluntary, self-motivated continuation of a goal-directed action despite facing challenges

Intensity

The strength or degree of a mental, emotional, or behavioral response

Evolutionary theory

Motivation is instinctual to increase our chances of survival and reporduction

Drive-reduction theory

Human behavior is motivated by the need to reduce internal tension and restore physiological balance

Homeostasis

The process by which an organism regulates its internal states to maintain equilibrium

Arousal theory

People are driven to preform actions to maintain an ideal level of physiological arousal

Self-actualization

The ongoing, lifelong process of realizing and fulfilling your highest potential

James-Lange theory of emotion

Proposed that physical bodily changes happen before and causes out experiences with emotions

Cannon-bard theory of emotion

Proposed a stimulus triggers a physical reaction and an emotional feeling at the same time

Schacter’s two-factor theory of emotion

Proposed that emotion is based on two main things, physical arousal and a cognitive label

Misattribution of arousal

A psychological phenomenon where people mistakenly identify the true cause of their physical excitement or bodily stress, attributing it to a different person or situation.