Exam 2

neuron

A cell of the nervous system that receives and transmits information; also called nerve cell

hypothalamus

A complex structure near the lower center of the brain that has direct connections to many other parts of the brain and is involved in the production of psychologically important hormones; thought to be important for mood and motivation

hormone

A biological chemical that affects parts of the body some distance from where it is produced

amygdala

A structure located near the base of the brain that is believed to play a role in emotion, especially negative emotions such as anger and fear

hippocampus

A complex structure deep within the brain, behind the hypothalamus, that plays an important role in memory processes

cortex

The outside portion of an organ (see adrenal cortex); in the context of this book, the cortex refers to the outer layers of the brain

neocortex

the outer layer of the cortex of the brain, regarded as uniquely human

frontal cortex

The front part of the cortex of the brain. Divided left and right into the two frontal lobes, this part of the brain is associated with cognitive functioning such as planning, foresight, and understanding

EEG

a technique for measuring the brain's electrical activity by placing electrode sensors on the outside of the skull

MEG

a technique for using delicate magnetic sensors on the outside of the skull to detect brain activity

PET

A technique for creating images of brain activity by injecting a radioactive tracer into the blood and then, using a scanner, finding where in the brain the blood is being metabolized

fMRI

A technique for imaging brain activity by using a powerful magnet to help detect blood flow in the brain

somatic marker hypothesis

Neurologist Antonio Damasio's idea that the bodily (somatic), emotional component of thought is a necessary part of problem solving and decision making.

corpus callosum

The thick bundle of nerve fibers connecting the right and left halves of the brain

anterior cingulate

The front part of the cingulate, a brain structure that runs from the front to the back of the brain in the middle, just above the corpus callosum. The anterior cingulate is believed to be important for the experience of normal emotion and self-control

neurotransmitters

the chemicals that allow one neuron to affect or to communicate with another

synapse

the space between two neurons across which impulses are carried by neurotransmitters

central nervous system

the brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system

the system of nerves running throughout the body, not including the brain and spinal cord

endorphins

The body's own pain-killing chemicals, which operate by blocking the transmission of pain messages to the brain

serotonin

A neurotransmitter within the brain that plays an important role in the regulation of emotion and motivation

gonads

The glands, testes in men and ovaries in women, that (among other effects) produce the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen, respectively

adrenal cortex

The outer layer of the adrenal gland, atop the kidneys, that secretes several behaviorally important hormones

epinephrine

A neurotransmitter in the brain and also a hormone that is released by the adrenal gland as part of the body's response to stress; also called adrenaline

Norepinephrine

An important neurotransmitter in the brain that is associated with responses to stress; also called noradrenaline

oxytocin

a hormone that may have specific effects in women of emotional attachment and calming

testosterone

the male sex hormone

estrogen

the female sex hormone

cortisol

A collective term for the glucocorticoid hormones, which are released into the bloodstream by the adrenal cortex as a response to physical or psychological stress

personality trait

a pattern of thought, emotion, or behavior that is relatively consistent over time and across situations

allele

a particular variant or form of a gene, most genes have two or more alleles

epigenetics

nongenetic influences on a genes expression, such as stress, nutrition, and so forth

psychic determinism

The assumption that everything psychological has a cause that is, in principle, identifiable

id

In psychoanalytic theory, the repository of the drives, the emotions, and the primitive, unconscious part of the mind that wants everything now

ego

In psychoanalytic theory, the relatively rational part of the mind that balances the competing claims of the id, the superego, and reality

superego

In psychoanalytic theory, the part of the mind that consists of the conscience and the individual's system of internalized rules of conduct, or morality

compromise formation

In modern psychoanalytic thought, the main job of the ego, which is to find a compromise among the different structures of the mind and the many different things the individual wants all at the same time. What the individual actually thinks and does is the result of this compromise

libido

In psychoanalytic theory, the drive toward the creation, nurturing, and enhancement of life (including but not limited to sex), or the energy stemming from this drive; also called psychic energy

thanatos

In psychoanalytic theory, another term for the drive toward death, destruction, and decay

doctrine of opposites

In psychoanalytic theory, the idea that everything implies or contains its opposite

oral stage

In psychoanalytic theory, the stage of psychosexual development, from birth to about 18 months of age, during which the physical focus of the libido is located in the mouth, lips, and tongue

anal stage

In psychoanalytic theory, the stage of psychosexual development, from about 18 months to 3 or 4 years of age, in which the physical focus of the libido is located in the anus and associated eliminative organs

phallic stage

In psychoanalytic theory, the stage of psychosexual development from about 4 to 7 years of age in which the physical focus of the libido is the penis (for boys) and its absence (for girls).

identification

In psychoanalytic theory, taking on the values and worldview of another person (e.g., a parent).

genital stage

In psychoanalytic theory, the final stage of psychosexual development, in which the physical focus of the libido is on the genitals, with an emphasis on heterosexual relationships. The stage begins at about puberty, but is only fully attained when and if the individual achieves psychological maturity

mental health

According to Freud's definition, the ability to both love and work

fixation

In psychoanalytic theory, leaving a disproportionate share of one's libido behind at an earlier stage of development.

regression

In psychoanalytic theory, retreating to an earlier, more immature stage of psychosexual development, usually because of stress but sometimes in the service of play and creativity.

secondary process thinking

in psychoanalytic theory, the term for rational and conscious processes of ordinary thought

primary process thinking

In psychoanalytic theory, the term for the strange and primitive style of unconscious thinking manifested by the id

condensation

In psychoanalytic theory, the method of primary process thinking in which several ideas are compressed into one

symbolization

In psychoanalytic theory, the process of primary process thinking in which one thing stands for another

conscious mind

the part of the mind's activities of which one is aware

preconscious

thoughts and ideas that temporarily reside just outside of consciousness but which can be brought to mind quickly and easily

unconscious mind

those areas and processes of the mind of which a person is not aware

parapraxis

An unintentional utterance or action caused by a leakage from the unconscious parts of the mind; also called Freudian slip

defense mechanisms

In psychoanalytic theory, the mechanisms of the ego that serve to protect an individual from experiencing anxiety produced by conflicts with the id, superego, or reality

denial

In psychoanalytic theory, the defense mechanism that allows the mind to deny that a current source of anxiety exists.

repression

In psychoanalytic theory, the defense mechanism that banishes the past from current awareness.

reaction formation

In psychoanalytic theory, the defense mechanism that keeps an anxiety-producing impulse or thought in check by producing its opposite

projection

In psychoanalytic theory, the defense mechanism of attributing to somebody else a thought or impulse one fears in oneself.

rationalization

In psychoanalytic theory, the defense mechanism that produces a seemingly logical rationale for an impulse or thought that otherwise would cause anxiety

intellectualization

In psychoanalytic theory, the defense mechanism by which thoughts that otherwise would cause anxiety are translated into cool, analytic, non-arousing terms

displacement

In psychoanalytic theory, the defense mechanism that redirects an impulse from a dangerous target to a safe one

sublimation

In psychoanalytic theory, the defense mechanism that turns otherwise dangerous or anxiety-producing impulses toward constructive ends

transference

In psychoanalytic theory, the tendency to bring ways of thinking, feeling, and behavior that developed toward one important person into later relationships with different persons

neo-freudian psychology

A general term for the psychoanalytically oriented work of many theorists and researchers who are influenced by Freud's theory

ego psychology

The modern school of psychoanalytic thought that believes the most important aspect of mental functioning is the way the ego mediates between, and formulates compromises among, the impulses of the id and the superego

organ inferiority

In Adler's version of psychoanalysis, the idea that people are motivated to succeed in adulthood in order to compensate for whatever they felt, in childhood, was their weakest aspect

masculine protest

In Adler's version of psychoanalysis, the idea that a particular urge in adulthood is an attempt to compensate for one's powerlessness felt in childhood.

collective unconscious

In Jung's version of psychoanalysis, the proposition that all people share certain unconscious ideas because of the history of the human species

archetypes

In Jung's version of psychoanalysis, the fundamental images of people that are contained in the collective unconscious, including (among others) "the earth mother," "the hero," "the devil," and "the supreme being."

persona

In Jung's version of psychoanalysis, the social mask one wears in public dealings.

anima

In Jung's version of psychoanalysis, the idea of the typical female as held in the mind of a male.

animus

In Jung's version of psychoanalysis, the idea of the typical male as held in the mind of a female.

object relations theory

The psychoanalytic study of interpersonal relations, including the unconscious images and feelings associated with the important people ("objects") in a person's life

humanistic psychology

The approach to personality that emphasizes aspects of psychology that are distinctly human. Closely related to the phenomenological approach and existentialism

phenomenology

The study of conscious experience. Often, conscious experience itself is referred to as an individual's phenomenology

construal

an individuals particular experience of the work or way of interpreting reality

introspection

the task of observing one's own mental processes

existentialism

The approach to philosophy that focuses on conscious experience (phenomenology), free will, the meaning of life, and other basic questions of existence

umwelt

In Binswanger's phenomenological analysis, biological experience such as the sensations a person feels of being a live animal

mitwelt

In Binswanger's phenomenological analysis, social experience such as feelings and thoughts about others and oneself in relation to them

eigenwelt

In Binswanger's phenomenological analysis, the experience of experience itself; the result of introspection

thrown-ness

In Heidegger's existential analysis, the era, location, and situation into which a person happens to be born

angst

In existential philosophy, the anxiety that stems from doubts about the meaning and purpose of life; also called existential anxiety

anatta

In Zen Buddhism, the fundamental idea of "nonself"—that the single, isolated self is an illusion

anicca

In Zen Buddhism, the recognition that all things are temporary and, therefore, it is best to avoid attachments to them

nirvana

In Zen Buddhism, the serene state of selfless being that is the result of having achieved enlightenment

sociality corollary

In Kelly's personal construct theory, the principle that understanding another person requires understanding that person's unique view of reality

mindfulness

In positive psychology, the idea that one should be consciously aware of and in control of every moment of your subjective experience

flow

The totally absorbing experience of engaging in an activity that is valuable for its own sake. In flow, mood is slightly elevated and time seems to pass quickly

hedonia

seeking happiness through the pursuit of pleasure and comfort

eudaimonia

seeking happiness through developing one's full potential, helping others, and building community

cross-cultural psychology

Psychological research and theorizing that attempts to account for the psychological differences between and within different cultural groups

enculturation

the process of socialization through which an individual acquires his or her native culture, mainly early in life

acculturation

The process of social influence by which a person partially or fully acquires a new cultural outlook, either by having contact with or living in a culture different from his or her culture of origin.

ethics

The universal components of an idea; in cross-cultural psychology, aspects of a phenomenon that all cultures have in common

emics

The locally relevant components of an idea; in cross-cultural psychology, aspects of a phenomenon that are specific to a particular culture

deconstructionism

a philosophy that argues reality does not exist apart from human perceptions or constructions of it