AP Psychology Modules 37-44

Lewin’s Motivational Conflicts

A theory describing how individuals face different types of conflicts in decision-making, including approach-approach, avoidance-avoidance, and approach-avoidance conflicts.

Sensation-Seeking Theory

The idea that some individuals have a higher need for novel and intense experiences, often seeking excitement or risk.

Motivation

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

Instinct

An innate, unlearned behavior pattern that is biologically programmed.

Drive-Reduction Theory

The theory that motivation arises from the need to reduce internal tension caused by unmet biological needs.

Homeostasis

The body’s tendency to maintain a stable internal environment.

Incentive

An external stimulus that motivates behavior.

Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow’s model of human motivation, prioritizing physiological needs first, followed by safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

Abraham Maslow

A psychologist who developed the Hierarchy of Needs, emphasizing self-actualization as the ultimate human goal.

Glucose

A sugar in the bloodstream that serves as a major source of energy; low levels trigger hunger.

Set Point

The theory that the body maintains a stable weight range through hunger and metabolism regulation.

Basal Metabolic Rate

The rate at which the body burns energy while at rest to maintain vital functions.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by extreme weight loss due to severe food restriction and an intense fear of gaining weight.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging through vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxatives.

Alfred Kinsey

A researcher known for pioneering studies on human sexual behavior.

Sexual Response Cycle

The four-stage model of sexual activity: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

Refractory Period

A resting period after orgasm during which a male cannot achieve another orgasm.

Sexual Disorder

A condition that impairs sexual arousal, function, or satisfaction.

Estrogen

A primary female sex hormone involved in reproductive processes.

Testosterone

A primary male sex hormone responsible for the development of male reproductive tissues and secondary sexual characteristics.

Affiliation Need

The need to belong, form relationships, and feel connected to others.

Ostracism

The deliberate exclusion of an individual from a social group.

Social Networking

The use of digital platforms to connect and communicate with others.

Narcissism

Excessive self-focus, a sense of superiority, and a lack of empathy for others.

Flow

A state of deep focus and engagement in an activity, leading to high performance and enjoyment.

Achievement Motivation

The drive to pursue and accomplish challenging goals.

GRIT

Passion and perseverance in pursuit of long-term goals.

Task Leadership

Leadership that focuses on setting goals, organizing work, and ensuring tasks are completed efficiently.

Social Leadership

Leadership that focuses on building relationships, fostering teamwork, and supporting group members.

Emotion

A complex psychological state involving physiological arousal, cognitive interpretation, and behavioral expression.

James-Lange Theory

The theory that emotions result from physiological reactions to stimuli.

Cannon-Bard Theory

The theory that physiological arousal and emotional experience occur simultaneously.

Two-Factor Theory

The theory that emotions depend on both physiological arousal and cognitive labeling of the situation.

Embodied Emotion

The concept that emotions are deeply connected to bodily sensations and reactions.

Polygraph

A machine that measures physiological responses to determine emotional reactions, often used for lie detection.

Facial Feedback Effect

The tendency of facial expressions to influence emotional experiences.

Behavior Feedback Effect

The tendency of behaviors to influence emotional states.

Experienced Emotion

The subjective feeling and awareness of an emotional state.

Broaden-and-Build Theory

The idea that positive emotions expand cognitive abilities and help build lasting personal resources.

Posttraumatic Growth

Positive psychological changes resulting from adversity or traumatic experiences.

Catharsis

The process of releasing strong emotions, often through activities like crying or talking.

Feel-Good, Do-Good Phenomenon

The tendency of people in a good mood to be more helpful and generous.

Subjective Well-Being

A person’s self-perceived happiness and satisfaction with life.

Adaptation-Level Phenomenon

The tendency to judge new experiences based on past experiences, leading to adaptation over time.

Relative Deprivation

The feeling of being worse off compared to others, leading to frustration or dissatisfaction.

Behavioral Medicine

A field that integrates behavioral and medical knowledge to improve health and well-being.

Health Psychology

The study of how psychological factors influence physical health and illness.

Stress

A physical and psychological response to challenges or threats.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Selye’s three-stage response to stress: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Coronary Heart Disease

A condition caused by the narrowing of blood vessels, often linked to stress and lifestyle factors.

Type A

A personality type characterized by competitiveness, impatience, and hostility, which may increase heart disease risk.

Type B

A personality type characterized by relaxation, patience, and a non-competitive nature.

Psychophysiological Illness

Physical illnesses influenced by psychological factors, such as stress-related hypertension.

Lymphocytes

White blood cells that play a crucial role in the immune system.

Coping

Strategies used to manage stress and emotional distress.

Problem-Focused Coping

A strategy that involves addressing the root cause of stress to resolve it.

Emotion-Focused Coping

A strategy that involves managing emotional responses to stress rather than changing the stressor itself.

Aerobic Exercise

Sustained physical activity that improves cardiovascular health and reduces stress.

Biofeedback

A technique that teaches individuals to control physiological functions through monitoring and feedback.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Medical practices outside conventional medicine, including acupuncture, meditation, and herbal treatments.