Intro to Psych Final

Algorithm

methodical rule or procedure

Heuristic

Simple thinking shortcut (how easily events come to mind)

Insight

sudden AHA! reaction

Confirmation bias

tendency to search for support for our own views and ignore contradictory evidence

Fixation

inability to view problems from a new angle

Intuition

fast, automatic feelings and thoughts

Overconfidence

overestimating the accuracy of our beliefs and judgements

Belief perseverance

Ignoring evidence that proves our beliefs are wrong

Framing

wording a question or statement so that it evokes a desired response

Creativity

ability to innovate valuable ideas

Normal curve

the bell-shaped curve showing most scores fall or near the average

Reliability

the extent to whcih a test yields consistent results

Validity

the extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to

Predictive validity

the success with which a test predicts the behavior it is designed to predict.

Cross-sectional study

research that compares people of different ages at the same point in time

Longitudinal study

research that follows and retests the same people over time

motivation

a need or desire that energizes and directs behavior

Instinct

unlearned fixed patterns

Drive-reduction theory

a physiological need created an aroused state that motivates an organism to satisfy the need

Physiological needs

a basic bodily requirement

homeostasis

maintain a constant internal state

incentives

positive or negative stimuli that motivates behavior

Maslow's pyramid of human needs

Physiological needs, safety needs, belongingness needs, esteem needs, self actualization needs, self transcendence needs

Affiliation need

the need to belong

ostracism

deliberate social exclusion

B Lymphocytes

fight bacterial infections

T Lymphocytes

attack cancer cells, viruses, and foreign substances

Macrophage cells

"big eaters" attack harmful invaders and worn-out cells

Natural Killer (NK) Cells

attack diseased cells

Foot in the door phenomenon

agreeing to a small request can lead to agreeing to a larger request

Just-world phenomenon

believe the world is just (people get what they deserve)/karma

Ingroup

us

Outgroup

them

Ingroup bias

favor our own group

scapegoat theory

an outlet for anger by blaming someone else

mere exposure effect

the phenomenon that repeated exposure to novel stimuli increases liking of them

equity

people recieve from a relationship in proportion to what they give to it

altruism

unselfish concern for the welfare of others

bystander effect

less likely to help someone if other bystanders are present

Reciprocity norm

people will help, not hurt, those who have helped them

Social traps

conflicting parties pursue their own self-interests rather than the good of the group

Self fulfilling prophecies

a belief that eads to its own fulfillment

Defense mechanism

unconscious process employed ot avoid anxiety, arousing thoughts or feelings

regression

retreating to an earlier psychosexual stage, where some psychic energy remains fixated

reaction formation

switching unacceptable impulses into their opposits

projection

disguising one's own threatening impulses by attributing them to others

rationalization

offering self-justifying explanations in place of the real, more threatening unconscious reasons for one's actions

displacement

shifting sexual or aggressive impulses toward a more acceptable or less threatening object or person

denial

refusing to believe or even perceive painful realities

self-concept

all our thoughts and feelings about ourselves, in answer to the question, "Who am I?"

empirically derived

a test created by selecting from a pool of items those that discriminate between groups

Narcissism

excessive self-love and self-absorption

Sigmund Freud's therapeutic technique

-Patient's free associations, resistances, dreams, and transferences (and therapist's interpretations) released previously repressed feelings, allowing the patient to gain self-insight

-Helped form the foundation for psychological disorders treatment

-Continues to influence modern therapists (psychodynamic)

Techniques (Carl Rogers)

client centered therapy, active listening(echoing restating and clarifying), and unconditional positive regard

averse conditioning

associates an unpleasant state with unwanted behavior, creates a negative response to harmful stimulus

Operant conditioning techniques

learning occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior, behavior modification, token economy

Aaron Beck's cognitive therapy for depression

reverse clients negatively about themselves, their situations, and their futures. Use gentle questioning seeks to reveal irrational thinking. Persuade clients to change the way life is viewed

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Use an integrated approach to alter the way clients think and act