Social Psychology and Behavioral Perspectives

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering basic psychology definitions, major perspectives, developmental stages, humanistic models, social biases, and group behaviors based on the provided lecture notes.

Psychology

The study of behavior and mental processes.

Psychiatry

A medical doctor specializing in mental illness who can prescribe medication and requires medical school training.

Social Psychology

The study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by others.

Psychodynamic Perspective

A perspective, associated with Sigmund Freud, believing behavior is driven by unconscious desires and conflicts.

Conscious Mind

Thoughts that you are aware of, according to the Iceberg Theory.

Preconscious Mind

Memories that you can access.

Unconscious Mind

Hidden desires, fears, and instincts.

Id

The part of the personality present at birth that operates on the pleasure principle and wants immediate satisfaction.

Ego

The part of the personality that operates on the reality principle and makes realistic decisions.

Superego

The moral conscience that distinguishes between right and wrong.

Behavioural Perspective

The perspective that behavior is learned through experiences and environmental influences.

Classical Conditioning

Learning through association, such as Ivan Pavlov's dogs learning to associate a bell with food.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process where behavior is shaped by consequences, as studied by B.F. Skinner.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding something good to encourage a behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing something unpleasant to encourage a behavior.

Punishment

A consequence used to discourage behavior.

Cognitive Perspective

The perspective that the mind processes information like a computer, focusing on thinking, memory, and problem solving.

Sensorimotor Stage

Jean Piaget's stage (age $0-2$) where children learn through senses and movement and develop object permanence.

Preoperational Stage

Jean Piaget's stage (age $2-7$) involving symbolic thinking and egocentrism.

Concrete Operational Stage

Jean Piaget's stage (age $7-11$) involving logical thinking about concrete objects.

Formal Operational Stage

Jean Piaget's stage (age $12+$) involving abstract thinking and hypothetical reasoning.

Zone of Proximal Development

A concept by Vygotsky referring to tasks a learner cannot do alone but can do with help.

Humanistic Perspective

The perspective that people are unique and strive to reach their full potential.

Hierarchy of Needs

Abraham Maslow's theory consisting of physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization needs.

Self-Actualization

The highest level of Maslow's hierarchy, referring to reaching one's full potential.

Blackfoot Model

A perspective where community comes before individual achievement, focusing on relationships and spirituality.

Evolutionary Perspective

The perspective that behavior develops because it helped ancestors survive and reproduce.

Sociocultural Perspective

The perspective that behavior is shaped by culture, family, society, and social groups.

Microsystem

Part of Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems; the immediate surroundings like family, friends, and school.

Mesosystem

Connections between microsystems, such as parents communicating with teachers.

Exosystem

Indirect influences, such as a parent's workplace.

Macrosystem

The influence of culture, values, and laws.

Chronosystem

Changes over time, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Validity

Refers to whether a test measures what it is supposed to measure.

Reliability

Refers to whether a test produces consistent results.

Motivation

The force that drives behavior.

Values

Beliefs about what is important, such as honesty or respect.

Drives

Biological needs that motivate behavior, such as hunger, thirst, and sleep.

Identity

Who you are based on values, experiences, beliefs, and relationships.

Mindfulness

The state of being present in the moment to reduce stress and improve focus.

Perception

The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information.

Schemas

Mental frameworks used to organize information.

Cognitive Maps

Mental representations of environments, such as knowing your way around school.

Confirmation Bias

Looking for information that supports existing beliefs.

Positivity Bias

The tendency to focus on positive information.

Negativity Bias

Giving more weight to negative experiences.

Primacy Effect

The phenomenon where first impressions strongly influence judgments.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

When expectations influence outcomes, such as failing because you believed you would.

Self-Concept

How you view yourself.

Self-Image

How you see yourself now.

Self-Esteem

How much you value yourself.

Ideal Self

The person you want to become.

Social Comparison

The process of comparing yourself to others.

Social Identity

Groups that help define who you are, such as being a student, athlete, or Catholic.

Cult

A group centered around an all-powerful leader that claims to have special abilities or powers and controls the members.

Intimacy

A close emotional connection with another person.

Conformity

Changing behavior to match a group.

Groupthink

Avoiding disagreement to maintain harmony within a group.

Mood Disorders

Disorders that affect emotions, such as Depression and Bipolar Disorder.

Psychotic Disorders

Disorders involving loss of contact with reality, including hallucinations and delusions.

Neurotic Disorders

Disorders involving excessive anxiety or distress, such as phobias.