Psychology Exam Review

Overview of Key Concepts in Emotions, Motivation, and Development

• Changes in Exam Strategy

  • Encouragement to take time and analyze answers

  • Suggestion to review questions answered with certainty before tackling uncertain ones

Distinction Between Emotion and Mood

• Definition of Emotion and Mood:

  • Emotion: Short-lived, vivid responses (option B confirmed)

  • Examples: Fear, joy, anger

  • Mood: Long-lasting, diffused states (as opposed to emotions, which are more immediate and intense)

Concept of Deindividuation

• Term: Reduction in personal accountability and self-awareness when in a crowd

  • Correct Answer: Deindividuation (option B)

  • Key Insight: The prefix 'de-' indicates a reduction or removal of a certain quality

Motivation and Brain Structures

• Brain Structure and Motivation:

  • Structure linked to motivation and drives behavior towards goals: Hypothalamus (option A)

  • Explanation: The hypothalamus regulates basic drives and hormonal responses related to motivation

• Components of Motivation:

  • Activation: Initiation of behavior toward a goal (option A)

  • Significance: It is the first step in achieving motivation

Cognitive Dissonance

• True or False Question:

  • Cognitive dissonance occurs when someone experiences harmony between beliefs and behaviors

  • Correct Answer: False, cognitive dissonance describes tension or conflict when beliefs and behaviors don't align

• Differentiating Concepts:

  • Obedience vs. Conformity:

  • Answer: False, they are different concepts

Nature vs. Nurture

• Statement: Both nature and nurture play roles in human development; attributing development solely to genetics is inaccurate

  • True or False: True

Synaptic Pruning

• Definition: Synaptic pruning is not the creation of new neural connections

  • True or False: False

  • Correct Concept: Synaptic pruning involves the elimination of excess neurons and synapses, refining neural networks

Stages of Development

• Developmental Fixed Stages: Development is not understood to occur through fixed stages independent of later experiences

  • True or False: False

• Critical Periods in Prenatal Development:

  • Statement: Prenatal development has no critical periods where exposures lead to varying outcomes

  • True or False: False

  • Example of Teratogens: Alcohol leading to fetal alcohol syndrome (True)

Psychological Techniques and Concepts

• Foot-in-the-Door Technique:

  • Definition: Opposite of large initial request followed by smaller ones (False)

  • Correct Concept: Start with a small request to lead to a larger one

• Components of Motivation:

  • True or False: Activation, persistence, and intensity are components of motivation

  • Correct Answer: True

Conformity

• Definition: Conformity involves altering behavior to fit in with a group, even in the absence of direct pressure

  • True or False: True

Universal Emotions

• Statement: Primary emotions are typically regarded as universal across cultures from early development

  • True or False: True

Matching Concepts in Psychology

• Attribution Concepts:

  • Attributing others’ behavior to personality rather than situational factors: Fundamental Attribution Error

  • Relying on readily available information for judgments: Availability Heuristic

  • Conforming to be liked or accepted: Normative Social Influence

Motivation Related Terms

• Definitions:

  • Initiation of behavior toward a goal: Activation

  • Intensity of motivation (how strongly a goal is pursued): Intensity

Developmental Stages and Neural Connections

• Neural Connections: Refined and excess neurons pruned during Late Prenatal/Early Childhood Pruning Stage

• Rapid Brain Growth: Continues during Infancy/Early Childhood

Brain Structures and Functions

• Memory Formation and Spatial Navigation: Linked to Hippocampus

• Fear Processing: Handled by Amygdala

Developmental Theories

• Nativist Stage Theory:

  • Definition: Development is a fixed sequence of stages determined solely by genetics

• Neuroplasticity: The brain's ability to reorganize itself after injury or in response to learning

  • Correct Answer: Neuroplasticity for ability to reorganize

Chemicals and Emotion

• Chemical Messenger in Synaptic Transmission: Neurotransmitter

• Naming of Emotions: Short-lived specific emotional experiences referred to as an Emotion

Summary of During Exam Strategy

• Review and take your time during the exam, ensure understanding before answering questions, especially those that raise uncertainty

• Familiarity with definitions, differences among concepts, and significance of various psychological terms is critical.