AP PSYCH SECOND SEMESTER MIDTERM

affect

Any experience of feeling or emotion.

approach-approach conflict

A situation involving a choice between two equally desirable but incompatible alternatives.

approach-avoidance conflict

A situation involving a single goal or option that has both desirable and undesirable aspects or consequences.

arousal theory

A theory of motivation emphasizing the importance of a balance in our levels of stimulation.

avoidance-avoidance conflict

A situation involving a choice between two equally objectionable alternatives.

boredom susceptibility

According to sensation-seeking theory, this quality represents a dislike of repetition, predictability and monotony.

broaden-and-build theory of emotion

A positive psychology theory that suggests that positive emotions can help people build skills and resources over time.

cognitive label/appraisal

A theory that cognitive evaluation (a thought) is involved in the generation of some emotions.

disinhibition

According to sensation-seeking theory, this quality represents impulsiveness, extraversion, and a hedonistic lifestyle.

display rules

A socially learned standard that regulates the expression of emotion that vary by culture.

drive

A generalized state of readiness precipitating or motivating an activity or course of action, usually created by deprivation of a needed substance.

drive-reduction theory

The idea that a physiological need creates an aroused tension state that motivates an organism to satisfy the need and return to homeostasis.

emotion

A complex reaction pattern, involving experiential, behavioral, and physiological elements, by which an individual attempts to deal with a personally significant matter or event.

experience seeking

According to sensation-seeking theory, this represents a need for a variety of inner experiences.

external cues

Cues related to hunger.

extrinsic motivation

An external incentive to engage in a specific activity, especially motivation arising from the expectation of punishment or reward.

facial feedback hypothesis

The effect of facial expressions on experienced emotions, as when a facial expression of anger or happiness intensifies feelings of anger or happiness.

ghrelin

Hormone involved in stimulating appetite.

homeostasis

A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level.

hypothalamus

Structure in the limbic system that regulates many drive-related behaviors, including hunger.

incentive theory

The theory that an external stimulus enhances or serves as a motive for behavior.

instinct

A complex, innate behavior that is rigidly patterned throughout a species.

intrinsic motivation

An incentive to engage in a specific activity that derives from pleasure in the activity itself rather than because of any external benefits.

leptin

A protein, manufactured and secreted by fat cells, that may communicate to the brain the amount of body fat stored and help regulate food intake.

Lewin's motivational conflicts theory

Theory that proposes that choices create conflicts one must resolve, such as approach-approach, approach-avoidance, and avoidance-avoidance, as the basis of motivation.

motivation

A need or desire that energizes and directs behavior.

optimal arousal

A motivational theory that an individual maintains contact with various stimuli to achieve and maintain a preferred level of stimulation.

pituitary gland

The master gland of the endocrine system; regulates production of hormones that stabilize feelings of hunger and satiety.

satiety

The state of being fully satisfied to or beyond capacity; when hunger or thirst has been fully satisfied.

self-actualization

The complete realization of that of which one is capable, involving maximum development of abilities and full involvement in life.

self-determination theory

A theory proposing that people are motivated by intrinsic or extrinsic motivations.

sensation-seeking theory

A theory proposing that one's level of need for varied or novel experiences is the basis of motivation.

thrill or adventure seeking

According to sensation-seeking theory, a desire to engage in unusual or risky physical activity.

universal emotions

Anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, surprise.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

The principle that performance increases with arousal only up to a point, beyond which performance decreases.

agreeableness

A personality dimension that includes attributes such as trust, altruism, kindness, cooperation, and other prosocial behaviors.

Big Five theory

A model of the primary dimensions of individual differences in personality including extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience.

collectivist culture

Giving priority to the goals of one's group and defining one's identity accordingly.

conscientiousness

A personality dimension that describes someone who is responsible, dependable, persistent, and organized.

denial

Defense mechanism by which people refuse to believe or even perceive painful realities.

displacement

Defense mechanism that shifts negative impulses toward a more acceptable or less threatening object or person.

ego

The largely conscious 'executive' part of personality that mediates among the demands of the other two parts of the psyche.

ego defense mechanisms

The psyche's protective methods of reducing anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality.

emotional stability

A personality dimension describing a person's ability to remain stable and balanced.

extraversion

A personality dimension describing someone who is sociable, gregarious, and assertive.

factor analysis

A statistical procedure that identifies clusters of related items on a test.

humanistic psychology

A perspective that aims to understand personality by considering what it is like to be that person.

id

A reservoir of unconscious psychic energy that strives to satisfy basic drives, demanding immediate gratification.

openness to experience

A personality dimension characterized by curiosity, open-mindedness, and acceptance of novel situations.

personality

An individual's characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting.

personality inventories

A questionnaire designed to gauge a wide range of feelings and behaviors.

preconscious mind

The level of the psyche that contains thoughts and impulses not presently in awareness but can be called into consciousness.

projection

Defense mechanism by which people disguise their own threatening impulses by attributing them to others.

projective test

A personality test that provides ambiguous stimuli designed to trigger projection of one's inner dynamics.

psychodynamic theory

A view of personality that focuses on the unconscious and the importance of childhood experiences.

rationalization

Defense mechanism that offers self-justifying explanations in place of the real reasons for one's actions.

reaction formation

Defense mechanism by which the ego switches unacceptable impulses into their opposites.

reciprocal determinism

The interacting influences of behavior, internal cognition, and environment.

regression

Defense mechanism in which an individual retreats to a more infantile psychosexual stage.

repression

The defense mechanism that banishes anxiety-arousing thoughts from consciousness.

Rorschach test

The most widely used projective test that seeks to identify people's inner feelings through inkblot interpretations.

self-concept

One's description and evaluation of oneself, including characteristics, qualities, and roles.

self-efficacy

An individual's subjective perception of their capability to perform in a given setting.

self-esteem

The degree to which one's self-concept is perceived as positive.

social-cognitive theory

A theory stating that our traits and social environments interact to influence our behavior.

sublimation

Defense mechanism by which unacceptable impulses are rechanneled into socially approved activities.

superego

Represents internalized ideals and provides standards for judgement.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

A projective test in which people express their inner feelings through stories about ambiguous scenes.

trait

A characteristic pattern of behavior or disposition.

trait theories

A theory of personality that emphasizes the lasting nature of personal characteristics.

unconditional positive regard

An attitude of total acceptance toward another person, as per Carl Rogers.

unconscious

A reservoir of mostly unacceptable thoughts, wishes, feelings, and memories.

actor/observer bias

The tendency to blame our actions on the situation and others' actions on their personalities.

altruism

Unselfish regard for the welfare of others.

attributions

An inference regarding the cause of a person's behavior.

belief perseverance

Clinging to initial conceptions after the basis on which they were formed has been discredited.

burnout

Physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion accompanied by decreased motivation and negative attitudes.

bystander effect

The tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if others are present.

central route to persuasion

Attitude change path in which people focus on the arguments.

cognitive dissonance

The discomfort felt when two thoughts are inconsistent.

cognitive load

The relative demand imposed by a particular task in terms of mental resources required.

collectivism

A social or cultural outlook emphasizing the group rather than individuality.

confirmation bias

A tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions.

conformity

Adjusting one's behavior to coincide with a group standard.

deindividuation

The loss of self-awareness and self-restraint in group situations.

diffusion of responsibility

The tendency for individuals to feel diminished responsibility when surrounded by others.

discrimination

The unjust treatment of individuals based on group characteristics.

dispositional attributions

Assigning responsibility for behavior to inherent characteristics.

door-in-the-face technique

Asking for a large commitment, being refused, and then asking for a smaller commitment.

elaboration likelihood model

Theory identifying two ways to persuade: central route and peripheral route.

ethnocentrism

Belief in the superiority of one's ethnic group.

explanatory style

An individual's unique way of describing and explaining phenomena.

external locus of control

The perception that outside forces determine one's fate.

false consensus effect

The tendency to underestimate the impact of the situation and overestimate personality's impact on behavior.

foot-in-the-door technique

Starting with a small request followed by a larger request.

fundamental attribution error

The tendency to overestimate the influence of personal characteristics on behavior.

group polarization

Enhancement of a group's prevailing inclinations through discussion.

groupthink

When the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides realism.

halo effect

General evaluation of a person influences judgments on specific dimensions.

implicit attitudes

Attitudes held but possibly not acknowledged.