Social Psychology and Psychological Disorders

A selection of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and definitions from social psychology and psychological disorders.

Social Psychology

The scientific study of how we think, feel, and behave in social contexts.

Group Effort

Behavior of two or more individuals that leads to mutual benefit.

Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis

The theory that animals aggress when their goals are blocked.

Cooperation

Behavior that leads to mutual benefit among individuals.

In-group Bias

Preference for members of one's own group over those from out-groups.

Bystander Effect

The tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present.

Diffusion of Responsibility

A phenomenon where individuals in a group feel less responsible to act due to the presence of others.

Altruism

Behavior that benefits another without expectation of reciprocal benefits.

Stereotype

A widely held but oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

Comorbidity

The co-occurrence of two or more disorders in a single individual.

Cognitive Dissonance

The discomfort experienced when holding conflicting cognitions, often leading to attitude change.

Diathesis-Stress Model

A psychological theory that posits that disorders develop through the interaction of a predispositional vulnerability and stress.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

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

Bipolar Disorder

A mental illness marked by extreme mood swings from mania to depression.

Socialization

The process through which individuals learn and adopt the norms, values, and behaviors appropriate to their society.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to attribute others' actions to their character rather than situational factors.

Emotion Regulation

The ability to monitor, evaluate, and modify emotional reactions.

Reciprocal Altruism

Behavior that benefits another with the expectation that those benefits will be returned.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A type of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps individuals understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviors.

Heuristic Persuasion

An appeal to habits or emotions rather than to logic or evidence.

Psychopharmacology

The study of the effects of drugs on the mind and behavior.

Conformity

Adjusting one's behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.

Obedience

Compliance with commands given by an authority figure.

Social Loafing

The tendency for individuals to exert less effort when working in a group compared to working alone.

Prejudice

A preconceived negative judgment of a group and its individual members.

Discrimination

Unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group and its members.

Major Depressive Disorder

A mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A psychological disorder characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about everyday events.