Exam 1 Study Guide Methods, Social Self, Emotion

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from the lecture notes including research methods and theories related to the self and emotions.

Correlational research method

A method used to see if two or more things are connected or related to one another.

Experimental research method

A method involving one active control being measured while another is manipulated.

Archival research method

A method that analyzes existing data to investigate psychological questions without collecting new data.

Observational research method

A method that involves watching something or someone with no manipulation.

Random assignment

A procedure that gives participants an equal opportunity of being assigned to any condition.

Independent variable

The variable that is being manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent variable

The variable that is being measured in an experiment.

How researchers create operational definitions from broader conceptual definitions

by translating abstracts psychological concepts into specific, measurable actions or criteria than can be observed and tested in a study 

Internal validity

The degree to which a study can demonstrate that a causal relationship exists without interference from third variables.

External validity

The extent to which research findings can be generalized to the wider population.

Construct validity

The degree to which a test measures what it claims to measure.

Replicability

The ability to repeat a study and achieve similar results.

Longitudinal designs

Research designs that measure two or more variables repeatedly over time.

Autocorrelation

horizontal

Cross sectional

vertical

Cross-lag correlations

Correlations that assess relationships across different time periods.

Mundane realism (ecological validity)

is basically how accurately the design or evaluation reflects the relevant characteristics of the ecology of the interaction.

Experimental realism

refers to how much the research study elicits the appropriate psychological state and gets them involved in the research in a manner that results in meaningful behavior

Ethics in research

Guidelines that include informed consent, confidentiality, use of deception, and debriefing.

Informed consent

A process that allows participants to understand what they are agreeing to before participating.

Confidentiality

The principle that participants' information should remain private.

Deception

The act of misleading participants; must be followed by debriefing if used.

Debriefing

The process of informing participants about the true nature of a study after it concludes.

Self concept

A person's beliefs about their roles, traits, abilities, and experiences.

Working self concept

The aspects of one's self concept that are important at a given time.

Self complexity

A self concept that consists of many different facets.

Self concept clarity

A preference for a self concept that is clearly defined and internally consistent.

Independent self concepts

Self concepts that emphasize unique characteristics, abilities, feelings, and thoughts.

Interdependent self concepts

Self concepts that emphasize relationships with others.

Self esteem

The overall evaluation a person has of themselves, encompassing both positive and negative aspects.

Self esteem cons

is hard to control because its partially genetic and partially reflects successes & failures and high but unstable self esteem causes interpersonal problems like narcissism 

Self esteem pros

good mental and physical health, social relationships, academic and career performance, & avoidance of antisocial behavior

Sociometer theory

A theory suggesting that self esteem serves as an evolutionary metric for social performance.

Contingencies of self-worth

Sources of self esteem that vary among individuals and change over time.

Self-verification theory

The idea that individuals seek to have others see them as they see themselves, even if theory self view is negative because it helps maintain a stable and coherent sense of identity

Self-evaluation maintenance model

A model positing that others' successes can impact our self esteem.

Self-presentation

controlling, regulating, & monitoring the information we provide about ourselves to create a desired impression

Self-handicapping

protecting one’s self presentations and self image by creating a handy excuse for failure

Managing different audiences

The challenge of maintaining a desired identity in the presence of multiple audiences.

Upward social comparisons

Comparing oneself to someone who is better off or more skilled.

Downward social comparisons

Comparing oneself to someone who is worse off or less skilled.

Ego depletion

like a muscle, self control resources can he exhausted through use

Replicability for self-regulation

processes by which people initiate, alter, and control their behavior to pursue goals

Self-compassion vs high self-esteem

self compassion is about how you treat yourself in moments of struggle while high self esteem is about how much you value yourself

Emotions

are brief (only last seconds or minutes), are specific responses to specific events/experiences, and are functional to motivate behavior

Differences between emotions and moods

emotions are short lived, intense reactions to specific events while moods are longer lasting, diffuse affective states without clear triggers

Broaden-and-build hypothesis

proposes that positive emotions expand our thinking and actions and help us develop lasting personal resources like resilience, social connections, and creativity

Affect valuation theory

cultures place value on certain goals, emotions aligning with those goals are more valued as well

Universal expression of pride

pride has a universal nonverbal expression that is recognized across cultures which support its role as a basic human emotion with evolutionary significance 

Typical duration of emotions vs moods

emotions last from seconds to minutes while moods can last for hours to days

Situation selection

an emotional regulation strategy where individuals choose to enter or avoid situations based on the emotions they expect those situations to evoke

Attentional deployment

An emotional regulation strategy where focus is shifted toward or away from emotional triggers.

Cognitive change

an emotion regulation strategy where you reframe how you interpret a situation to alter its emotional impact

Response modulation

an emotional regulation strategy where you directly influence your emotional reactions after they’ve occurred by adjusting your behavior, physiology, or expression