Psychology Final

Structuralism

A psychological perspective that focuses on breaking down mental processes into their most basic components.

Functionalism

A psychological perspective that emphasizes the functions and purposes of the mind and behavior in the individual's adaptation to the environment.

Psychoanalytic Theory

A psychological perspective developed by Freud that focuses on the role of unconscious processes and childhood experiences in shaping behavior.

Behaviorism

A psychological perspective that focuses on observable behaviors and the ways they are learned.

Humanism

A psychological perspective that emphasizes the study of the whole person and the uniqueness of individual experience.

Inductive Reasoning

A type of reasoning that moves from specific observations to broader generalizations and theories.

Deductive Reasoning

A type of reasoning that starts with a general statement or hypothesis and examines the possibilities to reach a specific, logical conclusion.

Clinical Studies

Research that focuses on understanding psychological disorders and their treatments through case studies.

Naturalistic Observations

Research methods that involve observing subjects in their natural environment without manipulation.

Correlational Research

A type of research that examines the relationships between variables to determine whether they are related.

Positive Correlation

A relationship between two variables in which both variables move in the same direction.

Negative Correlation

A relationship between two variables in which one variable increases as the other decreases.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The part of the nervous system that includes all the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

Somatic Nervous System

The part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for voluntary control of body movements.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The part of the autonomic nervous system that activates the fight-or-flight response in stressful situations.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The part of the autonomic nervous system that promotes the rest-and-digest response.

Homeostasis

The process by which biological systems maintain stability while adjusting to changing external conditions.

Engram

The hypothetical means by which memories are stored in the brain.

Amnesia

A condition in which a person experiences memory loss.

Retrograde Amnesia

A type of amnesia where a person cannot recall memories from before a specific event.

Anterograde Amnesia

A type of amnesia where a person cannot form new memories after a specific event.

Psychotropic Medications

Drugs that affect mental processes and are used to treat psychological disorders.

Cognitive Dissonance

The mental discomfort experienced when holding two or more conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or values.

Attachment Theory

A psychological model that describes the dynamics of long-term interpersonal relationships.

Self-Efficacy

The belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

A motivational theory comprising a five-tier model of human needs, depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid.

Cognitive Therapy

A type of psychotherapy that helps patients understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviors.

Alfred Adler’s Theory

A theory of psychology that emphasizes the role of social factors and feelings of inferiority in personality development.

Big Five Personality Traits

A model that identifies five key dimensions of personality: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

Social Psychology

The scientific study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts.

Dispositional Attribution

Attributing the behavior of others to internal factors such as personality or character.

Situational Attribution

Attributing the behavior of others to external factors such as the environment or situation.

Eustress

Positive stress that can motivate and energize individuals.

Distress

Negative stress that can lead to anxiety and have adverse effects on health.

Panic Disorder

An anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, and sense of self.

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)

A personality disorder characterized by persistent patterns of behavior that violate the rights of others.

Play Therapy

A type of therapy that helps children express their feelings and deal with emotional issues through play.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviors.

Relaxation Response Technique

A method of reducing stress through mental and physical relaxation, similar to meditation.

Biofeedback

A technique that teaches individuals to control physiological processes such as heart rate and muscle tension.

Stress Appraisal

The process by which individuals evaluate and cope with the perceived stressors they encounter.

Safety Behaviors

Actions taken to prevent a feared outcome, often perpetuating anxiety.