Psych unit 4 part 2

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious psychological strategies used to protect oneself from anxiety, stress, or unacceptable thoughts.

Denial

Refusing to accept reality or facts to protect oneself from anxiety.

Displacement

Redirecting emotions from the original source to a safer target.

Ego

The part of the personality that mediates between the id (instincts), superego (morals), and reality.

Humanistic Theory

A psychological perspective emphasizing personal growth, free will, and self-actualization.

Personality

An individual’s characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

Preconscious

Thoughts and memories that are not in immediate awareness but can be easily retrieved.

Projection

Attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to others.

Projective Tests

Psychological assessments using ambiguous stimuli to reveal unconscious thoughts.

Psychodynamic Theory

A theory focusing on unconscious forces and childhood experiences, pioneered by Freud.

Rationalization

Justifying behaviors or feelings with logical but false reasons.

Reaction Formation

Acting in a way opposite to one’s true feelings to reduce anxiety.

Regression

Returning to an earlier developmental stage when faced with stress.

Repression

Unconsciously blocking painful thoughts or memories from awareness.

Self-actualization

The highest level in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, where an individual reaches full potential.

Sublimation

Channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable behaviors.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Accepting and valuing a person without conditions, key concept in Carl Rogers’ humanistic theory.

Unconscious

The part of the mind containing thoughts and desires beyond conscious awareness.

Agreeableness

A personality trait associated with warmth, kindness, and cooperation.

Big Five Theory

A model of personality that includes five traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism.

Conscientiousness

A personality trait characterized by organization, responsibility, and dependability.

Emotional Stability (Low Neuroticism)

A trait associated with calmness, resilience, and low anxiety.

Extraversion

A personality trait associated with sociability, enthusiasm, and assertiveness.

Factor Analysis

A statistical method used to identify clusters of related personality traits.

Openness to Experience

A trait related to creativity, curiosity, and willingness to try new things.

Neuroticism

A trait associated with emotional instability, anxiety, and moodiness.

Reciprocal Determinism

The concept that behavior, environment, and cognitive factors interact and influence each other.

Self-Concept

An individual’s perception of themselves, including abilities and identity.

Self-Efficacy

One’s belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations.

Self-Esteem

One’s overall evaluation of their self-worth.

Social-Cognitive Theory

A theory emphasizing the interaction of thoughts, behavior, and environment in shaping personality.

Trait Theory

A psychological approach focusing on identifying and measuring stable personality characteristics.

Approach-Approach Conflict

A conflict between two desirable choices.

Approach-Avoidance Conflict

A conflict where a decision has both positive and negative aspects.

Arousal Theory

The theory that people seek an optimal level of arousal for peak performance.

Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict

A conflict where one must choose between two undesirable options.

Belonging

The human need for social connection and acceptance.

Boredom Susceptibility

A tendency to become easily bored and seek new, stimulating experiences.

Disinhibition

The tendency to act impulsively without considering consequences.

Drive-Reduction Theory

A theory stating that motivation arises from the need to satisfy biological drives.

Experience Seeking

A personality trait characterized by a desire for new and varied experiences.

Extrinsic Motivation

Motivation driven by external rewards.

Ghrelin

A hormone that stimulates hunger.

Hypothalamus

A brain structure involved in regulating hunger, thirst, and other basic drives.

Incentive Theory

The theory that behavior is motivated by external rewards or punishments.

Instincts

Innate, biologically programmed behaviors that aid survival.

Intrinsic Motivation

Motivation driven by internal satisfaction.

Leptin

A hormone that signals the brain to reduce hunger.

Lewin’s Motivational Conflicts Theory

A theory describing conflicts between different types of motives.

Motivation

The process that initiates, directs, and sustains goal-oriented behavior.

Optimal Level of Arousal

The level of stimulation at which an individual performs best.

Pituitary Gland

A gland that regulates hormones affecting growth, metabolism, and other bodily functions.

Self-Determination Theory

A theory emphasizing the role of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in motivation.

Sensation-Seeking

A personality trait characterized by a desire for intense, novel experiences.

Thrill and Adventure Seeking

A component of sensation-seeking involving risky physical activities.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

A principle stating that moderate arousal leads to optimal performance.