General Psychology Final Exam Study Guide

Flashcards for General Psychology Final Exam Study Guide

Psychology

Study of the mind and behavior. Etymology, Psycho meaning soul or mind, and logos meaning study or discourse.

Psychological Paradigm

A school of thought within psychology with its own assumptions, beliefs, and ideas about human beings, along with its own way of defining and doing psychology.

Structuralism

Early paradigm focused on studying the basic elements of consciousness. Founder: Wundt.

Psychoanalysis

Early paradigm focused on studying the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences. Founder: Freud.

Functionalism

Early paradigm focused on studying the purpose and function of mental processes. Founder: James.

Behaviorism

Early paradigm focused on studying observable behavior and how it is learned. Founder: Watson.

Psychology Founding Year

Psychology was founded as a science in 1879 by Wilhelm Wundt.

Father of Psychotherapy

Sigmund Freud is considered the father of psychotherapy.

Open-mindedness/Humility

A basic principle of good science, acknowledging the limits of one's own understanding.

Skepticism

A basic principle of good science, questioning claims and demanding evidence.

Scientific Theories

Attempt to explain phenomena and generate testable hypotheses.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction based on a theory.

Descriptive Research Methods

Research methods used to observe and describe behavior without manipulating variables.

Correlational Research Methods

Research methods used to examine the relationship between two or more variables.

Experimental Research Methods

Research methods used to manipulate one or more variables to determine their effect on other variables.

Phenomenological Method

A qualitative research method that explores the lived experiences of individuals. Created to understand and describe phenomena from the participants' perspectives.

Narrow Understanding of Science

Science as the study of phenomena through direct observation, experimentation, and measurement.

Broader Understanding of Science

Science as the systematic search for evidence through research that will help us to develop a better understanding of phenomena and to determine which of our theories and ideas are true and which are untrue.

Psychologists

Professionals who study the mind and behavior.

Psychiatrists

Medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses.

Chromosome

A thread-like structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

Intelligence

The cognitive abilities of an individual to learn from experience, to reason well, and to cope with the demands of daily living

Two factory theory of Intelligence (Spearman)

A theory proposed by Charles Spearman that suggests intelligence consists of a general factor (g) and specific abilities (s). It emphasizes the role of a general cognitive ability in various mental tasks.

Theory of Multiple Intelligences (Gardner)

A theory developed by Howard Gardner that proposes there are various types of intelligence, each representing different ways of processing information and demonstrating abilities, including linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic intelligences.

Origin of Intelligence

Refers to the biological and environmental influences that contribute to an individual's cognitive abilities. This includes genetic factors, early childhood experiences, and educational opportunities. Influenced by both hereditary factors and environmental.

Developmental Psychology

The attempt to research and understand the process of psychological development along with the psychological influences and variables that shape it

Class Definition of Developmental Psychology

The study of the psychological influences and changes that affect and shape us across the lifespan.

Nature vs. Nurture

Ongoing debate about the relative contributions of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) to development.

Erikson's Psychosocial Theory

A stage theory of development that outlines psychosocial crises from infancy to old age.

A) trust vs. mistrust(hope)

B) autonomy vs. shame and doubt(will)

C) initiative vs. guilt(sense of purpose)

D) competence vs. inferiority(competence)

E) identity vs. role confusion(fidelity)

F) intimacy vs. isolation(love)

G) generativity vs. stagnation(care)

H) integrity vs. despair(wisdom)

Erikson's stages of psychosocial development are eight conflicts that shape psychological growth throughout life.

Different parenting style effect developmental progressive in kids

• Authoritarian

  • Most strict. No wiggle room. My way or the highway. 

• Authoritative

  • Assistive but strict (more for learning but will place the foot down)

  • Most Effective.

• Permissive

  • Passive, will make a threat but not follow through on it.

• Rejecting/neglectful

  • Always finding fault with the child, abusive. 

  • Drug abuser, forgetful/ unwilling to work with children.

Finite Freedom

The concept that human freedom is limited by external factors, including societal norms and expectations, as well as personal circumstances and responsibilities.

Twin Studies

A research method used in Developmental psychology to examine the similarities and differences between identical and fraternal twins, often to understand the influence of genetics versus environment on behavior and traits.

Adoption Studies

A research method used to assess the influences of nature and nurture by comparing adopted children to their biological and adoptive families.

Behavioral Genetics

Subfield in psychology that focuses on studying the degree to which behavior is shaped by genes.

Temperament

A person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity.

Gene-Environment Interactions

Refers to the complex interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental factors that influence an individual's traits and behaviors.

Cross-Sectional Study

A study in which people of different ages are compared with one another at one point in time.

Longitudinal Study

Research in which the same people are restudied and retested over a long period.

Crystallized Intelligence

Accumulated knowledge and verbal skills; tends to increase with age.

Fluid Intelligence

Ability to reason speedily and abstractly; tends to decrease during late adulthood.

Flynn Effect

The observed rise in intelligence test scores over time, which reflects improvements in education, nutrition, and living conditions across generations. (In Developed Countries)

Mentally Retarded

Referring to those who are slower to develop than others. Coined by Alfred Binet when he was hired to develop a test that could be used to identify a student’s mental abilities so that he/she could be placed in the appropriate grade.

Repression

Repression has been defined as the tendency to inhibit consciously or unconsciously the experience and expression of negative emotions or unpleasant cognitions in order to prevent one's positive self-image from being threatened.

Emotional Intelligence

The ability to perceive, understand, manage, and use emotions by themselves or with others.

Gene

A unit of heredity that is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring.

Alfred Binet

Developed the first successful test of mental abilities.

IQ (Intelligence Quotient)

was developed by William Stern, a German psychologist, to give us a better overall measure of intelligence level. He developed this score to be used with Terman’s test. Currently we derive ___ by comparing a person’s overall score to the average person within his or her age group.

Louis Terman

The developer of the first successful American intelligence test, the Stanford-Binet. Terman believed that intelligence was inherited. He believed that his test was measuring inherited intelligence. His view was very different from Binet’s.

Aptitude Test

A test designed to predict a person's future performance; aptitude is the capacity to learn.

Achievement Test

A test designed to assess what a person has learned.

WAIS-R and WISC-R

Most commonly used intelligence tests today; Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised.

Central questions that psychologists attempt to address with regard to personality

Did you inherit the trait genetically? Did you develop it as a result of your upbringing or certain life experiences? Did it result from some combination of factors?

Class Definition of Personality

Psychodynamic Theory

1) focus on life experiences particularly childhood or developmental experiences

2) interested in explaining how personality develops

3) importance of psychological dynamics and what they are

4) the connection between developmental experiences, psychological dynamics, and present patterns of behavior or ways of being

5) how personality change occurs—Insight & Working Through

6) the limitations of the psychodynamic theory of personality

7) defense mechanisms(denial, projection, reaction formation, rationalization)

Trait Theory

1) trait dimensions and traits—definition of a trait

2) tends to see basic or core traits as inherited

3) sees the core of personality, our most basic traits, as fixed

4) limitations—ignores situational influences and freedom, tends to see personality as too fixed

Humanistic-Existential Theory

1) more positive view of human nature and human psychology

2) focuses on our choice or freedom, our ability to choose how we want to live

3) inauthentic vs. authentic choices

4) factors that lead to fulfillment vs. those that lead to unhappiness

5) flow experience

6) conditional vs. unconditional positive regard

7) psychological growth & self-actualization

Sartre’s Theory of personality

1) emphasis on freedom

2) not determined by facticity

3) reasons for engaging in consistent or habitual ways of being

Social Cognitive Theory of Personality

Behavior is influenced by the interaction of people's traits and their social context.

Dupille’s Theory of Personality

1) Complex

2) Both Fixed and Changeable

3) Combination of Factors

4) Personality Does not Determine Us

Person-Situation Controversy

The debate over the relative importance of personality traits versus situational factors in determining behavior.

Nervous System

The body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems.

Neuron

A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.

Glia Cells

Any of the cells that hold nerve cells in place and help them work the way they should.

Psychotropic Drugs

Medications that affect mental processes, such as mood, thought, or behavior.

Endocrine System

The body's 'slow' chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.

Brainstem

The oldest part and central core of the brain, responsible for automatic survival functions.

Limbic System

Neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) associated with emotions and drives.

Cerebral Cortex

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center.

Plasticity (Brain)

The brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience.

Corpus Callosum

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.

Biological Determinism

The belief that human behavior is primarily determined by genes and biology.

BioPsychoSocial Approach

An integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis.

Schemas

Concepts or mental molds into which we pour our experiences.

Assimilation

Interpreting our new experiences in terms of our existing schemas.

Accommodation

Adapting our current understandings (schemas) to incorporate new information.

Self-Esteem

One's feelings of high or low self-worth.

Id

According to Freud, a reservoir of unconscious psychic energy that strives to satisfy basic sexual and aggressive drives. The id operates on the pleasure principle, demanding immediate gratification.

Ego

The largely conscious, 'executive' part of personality that, according to Freud, mediates among the demands of the id, superego, and reality. The ego operates on the reality principle, satisfying the id's desires in ways that will realistically bring pleasure rather than pain.

Superego

The part of personality that, according to Freud, represents internalized ideals and provides standards for judgment (the conscience) and for future aspirations.