AP PSYCH VOCAB 15

Id

The part of the personality present from birth that operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification of desires, instincts, and impulses.

Ego

The rational part of the personality that operates on the reality principle, mediating between the id, superego, and reality to make practical decisions.

Superego

The moral compass of the personality that incorporates societal standards and values, aiming for perfection and suppressing the id's impulses.

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious strategies used by the ego to reduce anxiety by distorting reality.

Repression

A defense mechanism where the mind unconsciously blocks out or forgets distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings.

Regression

A defense mechanism where an individual reverts to an earlier stage of development or more childish behavior in response to stress or anxiety

Rationalization

A defense mechanism where an individual justifies or makes excuses for their behaviors, thoughts, or feelings to make them seem more acceptable or less threatening.

Projection

A defense mechanism where an individual attributes their own undesirable thoughts, feelings, or behaviors onto someone else.A

Displacement

A defense mechanism where an individual redirects their emotions, usually anger or frustration, from the original source of stress to a less threatening target.A

Denial

A defense mechanism where an individual refuses to acknowledge or accept reality, particularly when it comes to uncomfortable or distressing truths.

Reaction Formation

A defense mechanism where an individual behaves in a way that is opposite to their true feelings or desires, often to hide or suppress those feelings.

Psychoanalysis

A therapeutic approach developed by Sigmund Freud that focuses on exploring the unconscious mind to understand and resolve psychological issues. It emphasizes that unconscious thoughts, feelings, and memories—often stemming from early childhood—can influence a person’s behavior and mental health.

Unconscious

The part of the mind that contains thoughts, memories, and desires that are outside of conscious awareness,

Internal locus of control

The belief that individuals have control over the outcomes of their own lives, attributing success or failure to their own actions, decisions, and abilities.

External Locus of Control

The belief that outcomes in life are largely influenced by external factors, such as luck, fate, or other people, rather than by one's own actions.

Learned helplessness

A condition in which a person or animal comes to believe that they have no control over the outcomes of their situation, often because they've experienced repeated failure or adverse events that they couldn't change.

Trait

Refers to a relatively stable characteristic or quality that defines an individual's patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Spotlight Effect

The tendency for people to believe that others are paying more attention to them than they actually are

Self-Serving Bias

The tendency to attribute positive events to one's own character or abilities, while attributing negative events to external factors or circumstances.