AP Pyschology Unit 6: Positive/Health Psychology, Nature v. Nurture, & Emotions

behavior genetics

study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

environment

every external influence from prenatal nutrition to people and things around us

epigenetics

study of how environmental factors affect gene expression without changing DNA sequence

eugenics

movement aimed at improving the genetic quality of a population through selective breeding

evolutionary psychology

study of behavior and mind using principles of natural selection

fraternal (dizygotic) twins

twins who develop from two different fertilized eggs and share about 50 percent of genes

genes

segments of DNA that code for proteins and influence traits

heredity

transmission of genetic characteristics from parents to offspring

identical (monozygotic) twins

twins who develop from a single fertilized egg and share identical genes

interaction

interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental influences

mutation

random error in gene replication that leads to a change in DNA

natural selection

process by which traits that aid survival and reproduction become more common in a population

nature-nurture issue

debate about the relative contributions of genetics and environment to development

adaptation-level phenomenon

tendency to judge stimuli relative to a neutral level defined by past experience

adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

potentially traumatic or damaging experiences during childhood

alarm stage

initial stage of stress response where the body mobilizes energy to confront a stressor

broaden-and-build theory

theory that positive emotions expand thinking and build psychological resources

catharsis

emotional release that is believed to relieve aggressive or stressful feelings

character strengths

positive traits reflected in thoughts feelings and behaviors

coping

efforts to manage stress and reduce its impact

coronary heart disease

disease caused by blockage of blood vessels supplying the heart

courage

ability to persist and act despite fear

distress

negative stress that harms health or well-being

emotion-focused coping

coping by reducing emotional distress rather than changing the stressor

eustress

positive stress that motivates and focuses energy

exhaustion stage

stage of stress where resources are depleted leading to decreased resistance

external locus of control

belief that outcomes are determined by external forces beyond one’s control

feel-good do-good phenomenon

tendency for people’s positive moods to increase helpfulness

general adaptation syndrome (GAS)

three-stage physiological response to stress including alarm resistance and exhaustion

gratitude

feeling of thankfulness and appreciation

health psychology

study of how psychological factors influence health illness and healthcare

humanity

virtue involving caring nurturing and social intelligence

hypertension

chronically high blood pressure

internal locus of control

belief that one has control over outcomes through personal actions

justice

virtue involving fairness and equality

meditation

practice of focused attention to achieve relaxation and awareness

mindfulness meditation

meditation focusing on present moment awareness without judgment

personal control

belief in one’s ability to influence events and outcomes

positive psychology

study of human flourishing and factors that make life worth living

problem-focused coping

coping by addressing the source of stress directly

psychoneuroimmunology

study of interactions between psychological processes nervous system and immune system

resilience

ability to adapt and recover from adversity

resistance stage

stage of stress where the body adapts to the stressor and attempts to cope

self-control

ability to regulate impulses emotions and behaviors

signature strengths

individual’s top character strengths that define their identity

stress

process by which we perceive and respond to events that challenge or threaten us

subjective well-being

self-perceived happiness and life satisfaction

temperance

virtue involving self-restraint and moderation

tend-and-befriend response

stress response involving nurturing others and seeking social support

transcendence

virtue involving appreciation of beauty meaning and purpose beyond oneself

virtues

core positive characteristics valued across cultures

well-being

state of health happiness and prosperity

wisdom

virtue involving knowledge judgment and perspective

behavior feedback effect

tendency for behavior to influence thoughts feelings and attitudes

broaden-and build theory of emotion

theory that positive emotions expand cognition and build resources

display rules

cultural norms that regulate emotional expression

elicitors for emotional expression

stimuli or events that trigger emotional responses

emotion

complex experience involving physiological arousal expressive behavior and conscious experience

facial feedback

effect of facial expressions on emotional experience

polygraph

device that measures physiological responses to detect deception

universal emotions

basic emotions recognized across cultures

anger

emotion characterized by antagonism toward someone or something

disgust

emotion of revulsion toward something offensive

happiness

state of well-being and contentment

surprise

reaction to unexpected events

fear

emotion triggered by perceived danger

sadness

emotion associated with loss or disappointment