Key Concepts in Psychology and Counseling

Flashcards covering key concepts from psychology and counseling, designed to help students review important themes and theories in preparation for their exam.

Daniel Levinson

Identified 3 major transitions/times occurring between four major eras of life: early adult transition, mid-life transition, and late adult transition.

Midlife Crisis

Most men experience a midlife crisis around age 40-45 according to Daniel Levinson.

William Perry

Developed a scheme for intellectual development and ethical development with 3 general categories and 9 positions.

Dualism

A category in Perry's scheme indicating a binary way of thinking where things are seen as either good or bad.

Relativism

Discovered relativity in which values and beliefs are viewed as contextual and subjective.

Judith Jordan

Developed the Self-in-Relation Theory emphasizing the importance of relationships in psychological growth.

Caretaking

A concept indicating the role women often have in developing others emotionally, intellectually, and socially.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

Daniel Goleman's theory that refers to the ability to understand one's own emotions and the emotions of others.

Ego-Dystonic

Symptoms that are perceived as unacceptable or undesirable by an individual.

Ego-Syntonic

Symptoms and traits that are perceived as acceptable by an individual.

Cognitive Dissonance

A theory proposed by Leon Festinger suggesting a mental discomfort experienced when holding two conflicting beliefs.

Five Stages of Development (Minority Individuals)

Stages include Conformity, Dissonance, Resistance and Immersion, Introspection, and Integrative Awareness.

Narrative Therapy

A philosophical approach that argues reality is shaped by language and emphasizes storytelling.

Genogram

A graphical representation of a family tree, used in family therapy to map relationships.

Reality Therapy

Based on choice theory, emphasizing individual responsibility and the ability to make choices.

Self-Actualization

A concept from Carl Rogers emphasizing the realization or fulfillment of one's talents and potential.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

Therapy focusing on solutions rather than problems and maintaining a positive orientation.

DSM-5 Changes

Adopts dimensional assessments focusing on pathophysiological origins with a biological orientation.

Social Influence Theory

A theory proposing that individuals change behaviors based on social environment.

Multidimensional Causal Model

A model stating that a disorder is caused by the interaction of several factors.

Transitional Periods

Specific phases between life stages as described by authors like Gail Sheehy.

Trait and Factor Approach

A career theory developed by Parsons, focusing on matching traits with job factors.