PSYC1000 StudyStudyStudy

encoding

When you first learn someone's name, you are putting that information into your memory.

storage

When we remember where we parked, we must first encode this information, after which it is kept in storage, and can later be retrieved.

retrieval

The act of intentionally pulling information out of long-term memory storage.

effortful processing

When an individual chooses to pay close attention to the lyrics of a song that they have listened to 100 times before.

Semantic encoding

The type of encoding that is most effective in terms of promoting understanding and successful long-term storage.

working memory capacity

The capacity of most people's working memory is 7 +/- 2 items.

explicit memory

Which of the following constitutes an 'explicit memory' rather than a 'procedural memory'? Where you were born.

recognition

Multiple choice questions like this one require recognition.

recall

Fill-in-the-blank questions require recall.

hippocampus

Damage to which of the following structures would be most likely to result in individual difficulties storing and retrieving explicit memories?

Arousal Theory

According to 'Arousal Theory', stronger emotions tend to be associated with stronger, but not necessarily more accurate memories.

Anterograde amnesia

Refers to an inability to recall events from before the trauma that caused it.

retrograde amnesia

Refers to an inability to form new memories.

subjective recording

Memory is a perfectly objective recording of past events.

value of money

The value of money is determined by the subjective feelings of the individuals involved in any given exchange involving money.

Proactive interference

Venkata changed her password to something that was only a slight modification of her old password. Then she had trouble remembering the new password because of proactive interference.

elaborative rehearsal

One of the most effective strategies to encode new information into long-term memory.

Cognitive development

Involves learning, attention, memory, language, thinking, reasoning, and creativity.

Erik Erikson

According to Erik Erikson, lifespan development encompasses eight stages and at each stage we encounter a psychosocial crisis that must be resolved.

identity vs. confusion

Adolescents (ages 12-18) face the identity vs. confusion task of development.

stepwise trajectory

When development proceeds in a stepwise fashion with periods of growth interrupted by periods where growth is not occurring.

nature vs. nurture

An argument over whether innate or environmental influences are the primary determinant of developmental progress.

Sigmund Freud

The theorist credited with proposing the psychosexual stages of development.

nature

Refers to genes and biology in the nature vs. nurture debate.

generativity vs. stagnation

An Erikson stage where individuals later in life struggle with feelings of dissatisfaction stemming from an understanding of their own mortality.

exploration; play

The key process influencing cognitive development according to Piaget.

post-conventional stage

Determined by whether someone decides what's right or wrong based on individual moral principles and intuition.

permissive parenting style

A style where parents act more like friends than authority figures, allowing children significant freedom.

pre-conventional stage

Exemplified by Elroy's decision not to cheat on the exam due to fear of punishment.

secure attachment

Characterized by a one-year-old being distressed when the mother leaves and happy upon her return.

Motivation and emotion

Distinct psychological processes that do impact each other, contrary to the statement that they do not.

amygdala and hippocampus

The parts of the brain most central to processing emotions.

sympathetic nervous system

Responds to perceived threats with a 'fight or flight' response.

parasympathetic system

Initiates a physiological sequence dubbed 'rest and digest.'

Cannon-Bard theory

Posits that physiological arousal and subjective experience of emotion occur simultaneously.

Schachter-Singer Two Factor theory

Suggests that individuals who struggle with test anxiety might benefit from changing their perception of exams.

intrinsically motivated

When an individual performs an action because they find it inherently satisfying, regardless of material rewards.

intrinsically

When an individual performs a given action because they find it to be inherently satisfying, regardless of any material rewards or penalties that they receive as a consequence.

homeostasis

Lamontez feels tired, hungry, and thirsty. It can be said that his wants/needs are driving/motivating him to act in a manner that will provide balance and help to maintain 'homeostasis.'

instinctive behavior

An example of an instinctive behavior is an infant rooting for a nipple.

hierarchies of needs

Theorists like Abraham Maslow (humanistic psychology) and David Buss (evolutionary psychology) have created systems called 'hierarchies of needs' in an attempt to understand how and why individuals make these decisions.

FALSE

Individual choices regarding when to eat, what to eat, and how much to eat are influenced only by individual genetics and physiology.

TRUE

Individual choices are ultimately founded on emotion (what 'feels right') and then rationalized after the choice is made. Reason cannot function without emotion.

physiological needs

Food, water, shelter, and warmth represent physiological needs in Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

Providing insurmountable challenges

The most effective educators do all of the following EXCEPT... Providing insurmountable challenges.

FALSE

As discussed in class, individuals who do not experience feelings of romantic attraction sometimes self-label as 'aromantic.' These individuals do not experience feelings of sexual desire either. That is to say, sexual and romantic feelings are inseparable.

It's complicated.

From a scientific perspective, which of the following statements about human sexuality is most accurate? It's complicated. There are a wide variety of sexual appetites, preferred activities, and favored partner characteristics that are shaped by genetic and environmental influences as well as individual choices.

Self-efficacy

John's belief in his capability to achieve his goal is most nearly reflective of his: Self-efficacy.

Physiological arousal

Polygraph exams measure: Physiological arousal.

Refractory period

Which of the following is NOT one of the three proposed components of emotion? Refractory period.

Internal feelings

Intrinsic motivation is thought to stem from: Internal feelings.

The Yerkes-Dodson law

The idea that moderate arousal produces optimal performance is most nearly reflective of: The Yerkes-Dodson law.

Facial feedback hypothesis

The facial feedback hypothesis asserts that: Facial expressions influence our emotions.

Extrinsic motivation

Michelangelo dislikes his job but works hard for his paycheck. What type of motivation does he display? Extrinsic motivation.

Physiological needs

The lowest tier of Maslow's hierarchy of needs is comprised of: Physiological needs.

FALSE

Instincts are species-specific behaviors that are learned at a young age.

Fullness/satiety

The hormone leptin produces feelings of: Fullness/satiety.

personality

What Latin word does personality come from?

Biological aggressive vs. internal control

Two parts of our personality that are in conflict with one another.

Displacement

A Freudian defense mechanism where aggression is directed towards friends due to stress at home.

Collective unconscious

A concept focused on by Carl Jung in addition to Freudian consciousness.

Extroversion and Introversion

The two attitudes proposed by Carl Jung towards life.

Social-cognitive perspective

The theory that aligns with the belief that experiences shape personality.

Internal locus of control

"I am in control of my outcomes."

External locus of control

"Outcomes are beyond my control."

Humanistic approach

The approach that asks the main question: "Who am I?"

Ideal self and Real self

The two types of 'self' in the humanistic approach to personality.

Selective migration

Type of migration that explains people moving to places that fit their personalities.

Encoding

The process of getting information into memory.

Sensory memory

Type of memory that holds information for a brief moment before it is lost.

Hippocampus

The part of the brain most associated with forming new explicit memories.

Miller's Law

The capacity of short-term memory is 7 ± 2 items.

Maintenance rehearsal

Technique involving repeating information to extend its presence in short-term memory.

Episodic memory

Term for memories of personal experiences and events.

Procedural memory

Type of memory exemplified by remembering how to ride a bike.

Serial position effect

Tendency to better recall information presented at the beginning and end of a list.

Anterograde amnesia

Type of amnesia involving the inability to form new memories.

Retrieval

The process of bringing stored information into conscious awareness.

Proactive interference

Phenomenon where older memories interfere with new learning.

Semantic memory

Type of memory responsible for general world knowledge and facts.

Misinformation effect

Occurs when memory is altered by misleading information.

Chunking

Process of organizing information into meaningful units to aid memory.

Spacing effect

Learning is better when spread out over time.

Foot-in-the-door technique

Persuasion technique involving making a small initial request followed by a larger request.

Stanford prison experiment

Conducted by Philip Zimbardo in 1971 to study the impact of social roles and situational factors on behavior.

Situationism vs. dispositionism

Situationism views behavior as determined by the environment, while dispositionism views it as determined by internal factors.

Discrimination vs. prejudice

Discrimination involves actions, while prejudice involves beliefs or attitudes.

Social exchange theory

Principle stating human behavior is primarily driven by the desire to maximize rewards and minimize costs.

Cognitive dissonance theory

Proposes that individuals seek consistency between their beliefs and actions.

Fundamental attribution error

Refers to underestimating the influence of situational factors on others' behavior.

Conformity

When a person changes their behavior to go along with the group, even if they do not agree.

Bystander effect

Phenomenon where people are less likely to offer help to a victim when others are present.

Milgram's obedience experiment

Main objective was to explore the influence of authority figures on obedience.

Encoding

The process of getting information into memory. If something is not encoded, it cannot be remembered. It involves transforming sensory input into a format accessible to memory systems.

Storing

Maintaining information over time. It refers to how the brain keeps information after it has been encoded. Types of storage include sensory memory, short-term (working) memory, and long-term memory.

Retrieving

The process of accessing stored information and bringing it into conscious awareness. It allows memory to be useful by enabling access to previously stored information.

Effortful Processing

The process that requires attention and conscious effort to encode information. For example, learning a new concept in class requires effortful processing.

Automatic Processing

The process that occurs with little or no effort and often without conscious awareness.

Semantic Encoding

The encoding of information that is meaningful and can significantly enhance memory. It is considered more effective for long-term memory storage compared to iconic (visual imagery), acoustic (sound), and other forms of encoding.

Capacity of Long-term Memory

The capacity of long-term memory is believed to be virtually unlimited. Information can be stored for long periods, and there's no clear capacity limit.