Intro to Psych Chapters 5 – 8 Review

Vocabulary flashcards to help students review key concepts from chapters 5 to 8 in psychology.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process that pairs a neutral stimulus with a stimulus that brings a response, resulting in the neutral stimulus eventually eliciting that response.

Operant Conditioning

A method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior.

Reinforcer

A stimulus or event that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Negative Reinforcement

The removal of an unpleasant stimulus to increase a behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

The addition of a pleasant stimulus to increase a behavior.

Conditioned Response

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus.

Extinction

The process by which a conditioned response diminishes and eventually disappears.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a period of inactivity.

Generalization

The tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Discrimination

The ability to distinguish between different stimuli and respond differently.

Observational Learning

Learning that occurs through observing the behavior of others.

Cognitive Development

The progression of thinking and reasoning abilities as a person matures.

Primacy Effect

The tendency to remember the first items in a series better than those in the middle.

Recency Effect

The tendency to remember the most recent items in a series better than those that precede them.

Chunking

A memory strategy that involves grouping information into manageable units.

Schemas

Cognitive frameworks that help organize and interpret information.

Long-Term Memory

A type of memory capable of storing large amounts of information for extended periods.

Short-Term Memory

A temporary storage system that holds information for a brief period of time.

Sensory Memory

The initial, brief storage of sensory information.

Declarative Memory

Memory of facts and events that can be consciously recalled.

Procedural Memory

Memory of how to perform tasks and skills.

Amnesia

A memory disorder that affects the ability to recall information.

Motivation

The process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors.

Intrinsic Motivation

Engaging in an activity for its own sake, for the personal satisfaction it brings.

Extrinsic Motivation

Engaging in an activity for external rewards or to avoid negative outcomes.

Drive Reduction Theory

The idea that physiological needs create an aroused state that drives an organism to reduce that need.

Arousal Theory

The theory that relates to the way individuals seek to maintain an optimal level of arousal.

Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's pyramid of human needs, from basic physiological needs to self-actualization.

Homeostasis

The body's tendency to maintain a balanced internal state.

Set Point Theory

The theory that suggests the body has a natural weight it tends to maintain.

Cognitive Dissonance

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

Maslow's Hierarchy

A theory that ranks human needs from basic physiological needs to self-actualization.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by the avoidance of food and extreme weight loss.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors.

Sexual Response Cycle

The physiological changes that occur during sexual activity.

Duchenne Smile

A genuine smile involving the contraction of specific facial muscles.

Two-Factor Theory

The theory of emotion that suggests emotion is based on physiological arousal and cognitive labeling.

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

The theory that facial expressions can influence emotional experiences.

Emotional Intelligence

The ability to understand and manage one's own emotions and the emotions of others.

Gender Roles

Socially constructed roles and behaviors considered appropriate for men and women.

Problem Solving

The process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues.

Mental Imagery

The ability to recreate the sensory world in the absence of physical stimuli.

Boolean Logic

A form of algebra that is essential for working with binary systems.

Functional Fixedness

The inability to see an object as having a use other than its typical one.

Algorithm

A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem.

Heuristic

A simple thinking strategy that often allows us to make judgments and solve problems quickly.

Analogical Reasoning

The process of solving problems based on the similarities between the current situation and past experiences.

Insight

A sudden realization of a problem's solution.

Chaining

A method of teaching complex behavior by linking together simpler behaviors.

Scaffolding

A teaching method that involves providing support to students as they learn.

Self-Actualization

The realization or fulfillment of one’s talents and potential.

Adaptation

The process of adjusting to new conditions.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one’s preconceptions.

Prospective Memory

The ability to remember to perform actions in the future.

Imposter Syndrome

The feeling of inadequacy despite evident success.

Learning Styles

The preferred way individuals learn, through visual, auditory, reading/writing, or kinesthetic.

Token Economy

A system of behavior modification based on systematic reinforcement of target behavior.

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Physiological Needs

The basic requirements for human survival, such as food and water.

Social Needs

The need for interpersonal relationships and social connections.

Cultural Influences

How cultural background and experiences shape one’s thoughts and behaviors.

Resilience

The capacity to recover from difficulties quickly; toughness.

Attention

The process of selectively focusing on particular information.

Distraction

An interruption that diverts attention from the task at hand.

Habit Formation

The process by which behaviors become automatic through repetition.

Feedback

Information about reactions to a product, a person's performance, or a process used to improve it.

Sublimation

A defense mechanism where socially unacceptable impulses or idealizations are transformed into socially acceptable actions.

Coping Mechanisms

Strategies used to manage stress and difficult emotions.

Emotional Regulation

The ability to effectively manage and respond to an emotional experience.

Self-Efficacy

Belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations.

Social Support

The perception and actuality of being cared for, having assistance available from other people.