Unit 4 AP Psych Vocabulary Flashcards

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms from Unit 4 of AP Psychology, providing definitions and examples where relevant.

Self-serving bias

A cognitive or perceptual process distorted by the need to maintain and enhance self-esteem.

Standard deviation

A measure of dispersion or scatter in a data set relative to the data's central mean values.

Cognitive dissonance theory

A theory stating that human beings are motivated to reduce psychological discomfort caused by holding conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors.

Five factor model of personality

A model defining personality through five traits: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.

Groupthink

A psychological phenomenon where a group prioritizes harmony and conformity over critical thinking and realistic evaluation.

Social behavior

The theory of motivation that explains behaviors like seeking snacks due to social influences.

Displacement

A defense mechanism where negative feelings are directed at a substitute target.

Approach-avoidance conflict

A conflict that occurs when a person is simultaneously drawn to and repelled by the same goal.

Independent variable

In an experiment, this is the variable that is changed or controlled to test its effects on the dependent variable.

Drive reduction theory

The theory suggesting that physiological needs create aroused psychological states that drive behavior to satisfy those needs.

Informational social influence

A type of conformity where individuals conform due to the desire to be correct and to obtain accurate information.

Mere-exposure effect

The phenomenon where people develop a preference for things merely because they are familiar with them.

Self-efficacy

The belief in one's capabilities to achieve a goal or complete a task.

Social Cognitive Theory of Personality

A theory positing that people learn behaviors through their interactions and observations of others.

Fundamental attribution error

The error made when people underestimate situational influences and overestimate personality dispositions in others.

Logical persuasion

A method of persuasion that uses facts and logical arguments.

Emotional appeal

A method of persuasion that targets the audience's emotions.

Intrinsic motivation

Motivation driven by internal satisfaction or enjoyment.

Extrinsic motivation

Motivation driven by external rewards or the avoidance of negative consequences.

Unconditional positive regard

Accepting and valuing a person without conditions or reservations.

External locus of control

The belief that external factors, such as luck or fate, are primarily responsible for life events.

Approach-approach conflict

A conflict occurring when an individual faces a choice between two appealing options.

Foot-in-the-door technique

A persuasion technique involving making a small request to increase the likelihood of agreeing to a larger request later.

Trait theory of personality

A theory that classifies personality based on the manifestation of traits such as emotional stability and openness.

Cognitive Appraisal

An individual's interpretation and evaluation of an event that influences their emotional and behavioral responses.

Cognitive dissonance

The mental discomfort experienced when holding two conflicting thoughts simultaneously.

Conformity

The act of changing one's behavior to fit in with a group.