PSYCHOLOGY MIDTERM FLASH CARDS

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

BF Skinner

A behaviorist known for his work on operant conditioning and theSkinner Box experiment.

Control Group

A group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment and is used as a benchmark.

Psychopathology

The study of psychological disorders and the development of diagnosis and treatment.

JB Watson

The founder of behaviorism, emphasizing observable behavior over internal processes.

Critical Thinking

The ability to analyze and evaluate information or arguments for validity.

Stratified/representative sample

A sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population from which it is drawn.

Collectivism

A cultural orientation that emphasizes group goals and interdependence.

Introspection

The examination of one's conscious thoughts and feelings.

Double blind studies

Research designs in which neither the participants nor the researchers know who is in the treatment or control group.

Blind studies

Research designs in which participants do not know whether they are receiving the treatment or not.

Individualism

A cultural orientation that emphasizes personal goals and independence.

Scientific method

A systematic process for testing hypotheses and acquiring knowledge through observation and experimentation.

Treatment group

The group in an experiment that receives the treatment or intervention being tested.

Operational definition

A clear and precise description of how a variable is measured or manipulated in a study.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.

Random sampling

A method of selecting a sample from a population where each individual has an equal chance of being chosen.

Population vs Sample

A population includes all members of a group, while a sample is a subset taken from that group.

Case study vs Survey vs Testing vs Naturalistic observation

A case study is an in-depth analysis of a single subject, a survey collects data from a large group, testing measures specific abilities or behaviors, and naturalistic observation involves observing behavior in its natural environment.

Correlation

A statistical measure that indicates the extent to which two variables fluctuate together, which can be positive, negative, or zero.

Independent variable

The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent variable

The variable that is measured in response to changes in the independent variable.

Ethics in psychological research

Standards that guide researchers in conducting studies responsibly, ensuring the welfare of participants.

Psychological disorders

Conditions characterized by abnormal thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that cause distress or impairment.

DSM 5 TR

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision, used for diagnosing mental disorders.

Behavioral theory

A psychological perspective focusing on observable behaviors and the effects of learning through conditioning.

Cognitive theory

An approach emphasizing mental processes, including perception, memory, and problem-solving.

Humanistic theory

A psychological perspective that emphasizes personal growth and fulfillment.

Psychodynamic theory

A perspective that focuses on unconscious processes and childhood experiences.

Cross-cultural psychology

The study of how cultural factors influence human behavior.

Cognitive-behavioral theory

An approach that combines cognitive and behavioral techniques to change maladaptive behaviors and thoughts.

Positive psychology

An area of psychology that focuses on the strengths and virtues that enable individuals to thrive.

Biological perspective

An approach that views behavior as a result of biological processes.

Evolutionary psychology

A theoretical perspective that considers how evolutionary principles shape behavior and mental processes.

Brain

The organ of perception and action, responsible for processing sensory information and coordinating behavior.

Glial cells

Supportive cells in the nervous system that assist neurons and maintain homeostasis.

Sensory neurons

Afferent neurons that carry signals from sensory receptors to the central nervous system.

Motor neurons

Efferent neurons that transmit signals from the central nervous system to muscles or glands.

Neurons

The basic building blocks of the nervous system that transmit information through electrical and chemical signals.

Neuroscience

The scientific study of the nervous system and its role in behavior.

Circadian Rhythm

The 24-hour cycle that regulates biological processes, such as sleep-wake patterns.

Consciousness

The state of being aware of and able to think about one's own existence, thoughts, and surroundings.

Absolute Threshold

The minimum level of stimulus intensity needed for detection by the senses.

Types of Color Blindness

Conditions that impair an individual's ability to distinguish between certain colors.

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder characterized by distortions in thought, perception, and emotions.

Positive symptoms

Symptoms of schizophrenia that involve excesses or distortions of normal functions, such as hallucinations.

Negative symptoms

Symptoms of schizophrenia that involve a reduction or absence of normal functions, such as lack of motivation.

Insomnia

A sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Parasomnias

Disorders characterized by abnormal behaviors during sleep, such as sleepwalking.

EEG

Electroencephalogram, a test that measures electrical activity in the brain associated with different sleep stages.

NREM sleep

Non-rapid eye movement sleep that comprises several stages and is essential for restorative processes.

REM sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep, characterized by vivid dreams and increased brain activity.

Panic Attack/Disorder

A sudden episode of intense fear or discomfort that triggers severe physical reactions without an actual danger.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

A condition characterized by unwanted and intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

Conditioned Stimulus

A previously neutral stimulus that, after conditioning, elicits a response.

Unconditioned Stimulus

A stimulus that naturally and automatically evokes a response without prior learning.

Primary reinforcers

Reinforcers that satisfy basic biological needs, such as food and water.

Conditioned Responses

Responses that are learned through classical conditioning.

Flooding

A therapeutic technique for treating phobias by exposing the individual to their fear until anxiety decreases.

Spontaneous Recovery

The re-emergence of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a rest period.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

A condition characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life.

Behavior Modification

The use of learning principles to change maladaptive behaviors.

Little Albert experiment

John Watson’s experiment demonstrating classical conditioning in humans, where a child developed a phobia of white rats.

Taste Aversion

John Garcia's finding that animals can develop an aversion to tastes associated with illness.

Bobo Doll experiment

Albert Bandura’s study showing that children learn behaviors through observation and imitation.

Thorndike’s Puzzle Box experiment

An experiment demonstrating the law of effect, where cats learned to escape from a box for a food reward.

Reinforcement schedules

Plans for how and when to deliver reinforcement, including fixed-ratio, variable-ratio, fixed-interval, and variable-interval.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus, prompting a conditioned response.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process in which behavior is influenced by the consequences that follow it, such as reinforcement or punishment.

Phobias

An irrational fear of specific objects or situations that leads to significant distress or impairment.