PSYC 101 Study Guide: Motivation & Emotion, Obedience & Conformity, Stereotypes & Prejudice

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from motivation, emotion, obedience, conformity, stereotypes, and prejudice.

Instinct Theory

Behaviors are inherited, not learned; promote species survival.

Drive Theory

Physiological needs create drives that push behavior; body seeks homeostasis.

Incentives

External rewards that motivate behavior; dopamine is important in reinforcement.

Hunger Regulation

Hypothalamus monitors hunger hormones; psychological cues influence eating.

Arousal Theory

We seek optimal levels of arousal; too little leads to boredom, too much leads to stress.

Belongingness

Social connection is deeply wired; exclusion activates pain centers.

Achievement Motivation

Grit predicts long-term success.

James-Lange Theory

Physiological arousal precedes emotional experience.

Cannon-Bard Theory

Physiological reaction and emotional experience occur simultaneously.

Schachter-Singer Theory

Arousal + cognitive label leads to emotional experience.

Basic Emotion Theory

Debates the universality of emotions across cultures.

Constructionism

Context strongly shapes perception of emotions.

Misattribution of Arousal

Incorrectly labeling the source of arousal.

Emotion Regulation

Strategies like reappraisal, labeling, and mindfulness to manage emotions.

Conformity

Changing behavior due to real or imagined group pressure.

Informational Influence

Cues from others in ambiguous situations.

Normative Influence

Conformity to avoid rejection.

Sherif Autokinetic Study

Demonstrated natural formation and persistence of group norms.

Asch Line Studies

Showed that 76% of participants conformed at least once.

Passive Conformity

Unconscious imitation that creates liking.

Minority Influence

Small, consistent groups can sway majority opinions.

Factors Increasing Conformity

Group size, unanimity, and need to belong.

Resisting Conformity

Awareness, allies, and changing norms helps resist conformity.

Obedience

Authority strongly influences behavior.

Milgram Experiment

62.5% of participants delivered maximum shock to a subject.

Situational Pressure

Overrides personal morals in obedience scenarios.

Prejudice

Affect-based negative feelings toward a group.

Stereotypes

Cognitive beliefs about a group.

Discrimination

Behavioral action based on prejudice or stereotypes.

Social Categorization

Automatic grouping leading to ingroup favoritism.

Ingroup Bias

Boosts self-esteem and drives favoritism.

Stereotype Threat

Anxiety about confirming stereotypes harms performance.

Shooter Task

Study showed participants mistakenly shot unarmed Black targets more often.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Societal beliefs shape behaviors and outcomes.

Systemic Racism

Laws alone can't eliminate unequal outcomes; includes prison pipeline issues.

Outgroup Homogeneity

Belief that outgroup members are all the same due to limited exposure.

Implicit Bias

Unconscious, less controllable biases that affect decisions.

Explicit Bias

Conscious and controllable biases.

Modern Racism

Subtle forms of prejudice masked as value-based disagreement.

Reducing Prejudice

Contact Hypothesis states prejudice decreases with equal status, goals, and interactions.