Unit 4 AP Psychology

What part of the brain regulates hunger and eating?

• The hypothalamus regulates hunger and eating by monitoring glucose levels and other signals related to hunger.

To blame a person’s behavior on disposition (not situation) is called what?

• This is called the Fundamental Attribution Error.

Define Fundamental Attribution Error or give an example:

• The Fundamental Attribution Error is when we overestimate the influence of personality traits (disposition) and underestimate the influence of external factors (situation) when explaining someone's behavior.

• Example: If someone cuts you off in traffic, you might think they're rude or selfish (dispositional), without considering they might be rushing to an emergency (situational).

Mere exposure effect is when:

• The Mere Exposure Effect refers to the phenomenon where repeated exposure to something leads to increased liking for it.

Draw a positive correlation scatter plot:

• A positive correlation scatter plot shows data points that rise from the bottom left to the top right, indicating that as one variable increases, the other variable also increases.

Define Just-world Hypothesis:

• The Just-world Hypothesis is the belief that people get what they deserve in life, often leading to the assumption that bad things happen to bad people and good things happen to good people.

What does a random sample do for a study?

• A random sample ensures that every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected, helping to make the study's findings more generalizable to the broader population.

Define Outgroup Homogeneity Bias:

• Outgroup Homogeneity Bias is the tendency to view members of an outgroup as more similar to each other than they actually are, while seeing members of one’s ingroup as more diverse.

What causes Cognitive Dissonance?

• Cognitive Dissonance occurs when there is an inconsistency between a person’s beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors, causing discomfort that they are motivated to reduce.

What is a stereotype?

• A stereotype is a generalized belief or assumption about a group of people, often oversimplified and not based on actual evidence.

What is the key occurrence in a group that prevents Groupthink? Why does Groupthink happen (definition)?

• The key occurrence that prevents Groupthink is critical thinking or encouraging diverse viewpoints.

• Groupthink happens when a group values harmony and consensus over critical thinking, leading to poor decision-making.

What increases odds of a bystander helping an injured person?

• The odds of a bystander helping are increased when the bystander feels a sense of responsibility, the person is in need of help, or if they are in a smaller group (less diffusion of responsibility).

Define Foot-in-the-door technique:

• The Foot-in-the-door technique is a persuasion strategy where you first ask for a small favor to increase the likelihood of agreeing to a larger request later.

Define Door-in-the-face technique:

• The Door-in-the-face technique involves first making a large, unreasonable request that is likely to be refused, followed by a smaller, more reasonable request that is likely to be accepted.

Write an example of deindividuation:

• Example: People in a large crowd at a concert may behave in ways they wouldn’t normally, like acting aggressively or without regard for others, due to the anonymity and lack of individual accountability.

Define Group Polarization:

• Group Polarization is the tendency for a group to make decisions that are more extreme than the initial inclinations of its members after discussing an issue.

What is diffusion of responsibility? (in regard to bystander effect):

• Diffusion of responsibility refers to the tendency for individuals to feel less responsible to act when others are present, leading to a decrease in helping behavior (seen in the bystander effect).

Define Rationalization:

• Rationalization is a defense mechanism where people justify their behavior or decisions with logical, plausible reasons, even if those reasons are not true.

Define Projection:

• Projection is a defense mechanism where a person attributes their own undesirable thoughts, feelings, or motives to another person.

What is Unconditional Positive Regard?

• Unconditional Positive Regard is accepting and supporting a person no matter what, often used in person-centered therapy by Carl Rogers.

Define Sublimation:

• Sublimation is a defense mechanism where unacceptable impulses or desires are redirected into socially acceptable behaviors or activities.

Define Denial:

• Denial is a defense mechanism where a person refuses to accept reality or facts, thus blocking external events from their awareness.

What is the reason behind why we use Defense Mechanisms?

• Defense mechanisms are used to protect the individual from anxiety, emotional pain, or internal conflicts by distorting reality in some way.

Main difference between Humanistic vs Psychoanalytic approaches:

• The Humanistic approach focuses on personal growth, self-actualization, and the inherent goodness of people, while the Psychoanalytic approach emphasizes unconscious processes, early childhood experiences, and the influence of instincts.

What is Self-efficacy?

• Self-efficacy is a person’s belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task.

Big Five falls under which psychological perspective?

• The Big Five personality traits fall under the Trait Perspective in psychology.

Incentive Theory:

• Incentive Theory suggests that behavior is motivated by external rewards or incentives, such as money, praise, or success.

Define Homeostatic process:

• A Homeostatic process is the body’s ability to maintain internal stability or balance, such as regulating temperature or hunger.

Intrinsic vs Extrinsic motivation:

• Intrinsic motivation is motivation driven by internal rewards, such as personal satisfaction or enjoyment, while extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards, like money or recognition.

Give an Approach-approach example:

• Example: Choosing between two attractive vacation destinations, both of which are enjoyable options.

Define Arousal theory:

• Arousal Theory suggests that people are motivated to achieve and maintain an optimal level of arousal, which varies between individuals and situations.

What is Facial Feedback Hypothesis?

• The Facial Feedback Hypothesis posits that facial expressions can influence emotional experiences, meaning smiling can make you feel happier.