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WGU Psych Vocab

Terms in this set (156)

Accommodation
The creation of new cognitive schemas when objects, experiences, or other information does not fit with existing schemas.
Action Potential
The firing on a neuron. Occurs when the charge inside the neuron becomes more positive than the charge outside
Altruism
Behavior that is unselfish and may even be detrimental but which benefits others.
Aphasia
The impairment of the ability to communicate either through oral or written discourse as a result of brain damage
Assimilation
Incorporating objects, experiences, or information into existing schemas
Associations
The phenomenon in learning that states we are better able to remember information if it is paired with something we are familiar with or otherwise stands out
Attribution
An idea or belief about the etiology of a certain behavior
Availability Heuristic
A rule of thumb stating that information more readily available in our memory is more important than information not as easily accessible
Aversion Therapy
A type of behavioral treatment where an aversive stimuli is paired with a negative behavior in hopes that the behavior will change in the future to avoid the aversive stimuli.
Axon
The tail-like part of the neuron through which information exits the cell
Blind Study
As a way to avoid the placebo effect in research, this type of study is designed without the subject's knowledge of the anticipated results and sometimes even the nature of the study. The subjects are said to be 'blind' to the expected results
Broca's Aphasia
An aphasia associated with damage to the Broca's area of the brain, demonstrated by the impairment in producing understandable speech.
Cell Body
The main part of a neuron where the information is processed.
Centration
A young child's tendency to focus only on his or her own perspective of a specific object and a failure to understand that others may see things differently
Classical Conditioning
The behavioral technique of pairing a naturally occurring stimulus and response chain with a different stimulus in order to produce a response which is not naturally occurring
Client Centered Therapy
A humanistic therapy based on Carl Roger's beliefs that an individual has an unlimited capacity for psychological growth and will continue to grow unless barriers are placed in the way
Coercive Power
Power derived through the ability to punish
Cognition
The process of receiving, processing, storing, and using information
Cognitive Dissonance
The realization of contradictions in one's own attitudes and behaviors
Cognitive Therapy
The treatment approach based on the theory that our cognitions or thoughts control a large part of our behaviors and emotions. Therefore, changing the way we think can result in positive changes in the way we act and feel.
Compulsion
The physical act resulting from an obsession. Typically a compulsive act is done in an attempt to alleviate the discomfort created by an obsession.
Conditioned Response
The response in a stimulus-response chain that is not naturally occurring, but rather has been learned through its pairing with a naturally occurring chain.
Conditioned Stimulus
The stimulus in a stimulus-response chain that is not naturally occurring, but rather has been learned through its pairing with a naturally occurring chain
Conditioning
The process of learning new behaviors or responses as a result of their consequences
Consolidation
The physiological changes in the brain associated with memory storage
Consolidation Failure
The failure to store information in memory
Context Dependent Memory
The theory that information learned in a particular situation or place is better remembered when in that same situation or place
Control Group
The group of subjects in an experiment that does not receive the independent variable
Correlation
Statistical representation of a relationship between two or more variables which does not determine cause and effect.
Crystallized Intelligence
The part of intelligence which involves the acquisition, as opposed to the use, of information
Decay
Theory which states that memory fades and/or disappears over time if it is not used or accessed
Declarative Memory
The part of long-term memory where factual information is stored, such as mathematical formulas, vocabulary, and life events
Dependent Variable
The variable in an experiment that is measured; the outcome of an experiment
Difference Threshold
The smallest change in perception which is noticeable at least 50% of the time
Dissociation
A separation from the self, with the most severe resulting in Dissociative Identity Disorder. Most of us experience this in very mild forms such as when we are driving long distance and lose time or find ourselves day dreaming longer than we thought
Divergent Thinking
The ability to use previously gained information to debate or discuss issues which have no agreed upon definitive resolution
Double Blind Study
Research method in which both the subjects and the experimenter are unaware or 'blind' to the anticipated results
Ego
In Psychoanalytical theory, the part of the personality which maintains a balance between our impulses (id) and our conscience (superego).
Ellis, Albert
A cognitive Psychologist who developed the concept of Rational-Emotive Therapy
Emotion
Feelings about a situation, person, or objects that involves changes in physiological arousal and cognitions.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
The awareness of and ability to manage one's emotions in a healthy and productive manner
Encoding
The transformation of information to be stored in memory
Episodic Memory
Subcategory of Declarative memory where information regarding life events are stored
Etiology
Causal relationships of diseases; theories regarding how the specific disease or disorder began.
Experimental Method
Research method using random assignment of subjects and the manipulation of variables in order to determine cause and effect
Experimenter Bias
Errors in a research study due to the predisposed notions or beliefs of the experimenter
Expert Power
Power derived through advanced knowledge or experience in a particular subject
External Locus of Control
The belief that the environment has more control over life circumstances than the individual does
Extinction
The reduction and eventual disappearance of a learned or conditioned response after it is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus-response chain
Extrinsic Motivation
The desire or push to perform a certain behavior based on the potential external rewards that may be received as a result.
Factor Analysis
A statistical technique used to determine the number of components in a set of data. These components are then named according to their characteristics allowing a researcher to break down information into statistical groups
Fixation
In Freud's theory of psychosexual development, the failure to complete a stage successfully which results in a continuation of that stage into later adulthood
Fixed Interval Schedule
A schedule in which the reinforcement is presented after a specific period of time
Fixed Ratio Schedule
A schedule in which the reinforcement is presented after a specific number of responses.
Frequency Effect
The phenomenon in memory which states that we tend to remember information better if it is repeated
Freud, Sigmund
often referred to as the father of clinical psychology. His extensive theory of personality development (psychoanalytical theory) is the cornerstone for modern psychological thought, and consists of (1) the psychosexual stages of development, (2) the structural model of personality (id, ego, superego), and (3) levels of consciousness (conscious, subconscious, and unconscious). See Psychoanalysis
Flooding
A behavioral technique used to treat phobias in which the client is presented with the feared stimulus until the associated anxiety disapears
Fluid Intelligence
The part of intelligence which involves the use, as opposed to the acquisition, of information
Framing
Presenting information either positively or negatively in order to change the influence is has on an individual or group.
Free Association
The psychoanalytic technique of allowing a patient to talk without direction or input in order to analyze current issues of the client
Frontal Lobe
The lobe at the front of the brain associated with movement, speech, and impulsive behavior.
Fundamental Attribution Error
The tendency to over estimate the internal attributes of another person's actions
Generalization
The tendency to associate stimuli, and therefore respond similarly to, due to their closeness on some variable such as size, shape, color, or meaning
Group Polarization
The tendency for members of a cohesive group to make more extreme decisions due to the lack of opposing views.
Group Think
The tendency for members of a cohesive group to reach decisions without weighing all the facts, especially those contradicting the majority opinion.
Gustation
Sense of taste.
Halo Effect
The tendency to assign generally positive or generally negative traits to a person after observing one specific positive or negative trait, respectively
Heuristic
A rule of thumb based on experience used to make decisions
Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow's Theory of Motivation which states that we must achieve lower level needs, such as food, shelter, and safety before we can achieve higher level needs, such as belonging, esteem, and self-actualization
Higher Order Conditioning
Pairing a second conditioned stimulus with the first conditioned stimulus in order to produce a second conditioned response
Humanistic Psychology
A theoretical view of human nature which stresses a positive view of human nature and the strong belief in psychological homeostasis
Humanistic Therapy
Treatment focused on increasing awareness of one's self concept
Hypothesis
A prediction about the relationship between two or more variables
Id
In Psychoanalytical theory, the part of the personality which contains our primitive impulses such as sex, anger, and hunger
Inappropriate Affect
Expressing contradictory behavior when describing or experiencing an emotion (e.g., smiling when discussing something sad; laughing when talking about the death of a loved one).
Independent Variable
The variable in an experiment that is manipulated or compared
Inductive Reasoning
Decision making process in which ideas are processed from the specific to the general.
Innate
Occurring without learning, inborn.
Insight
The understanding of a relationship between current thoughts, feelings, and/or behaviors and where these originated or how they are maintained
Internal Locus of Control
The belief that an individual has more control over life circumstances than the environment does.
Intelligence
The ability to adapt to one's environment.
Intelligence Quotient [IQ]
The scores achieved on psychological tests aimed at quantifying intellectual ability.
Intrinsic Motivation
The motivation or desire to do something based on the enjoyment of the behavior itself rather than relying on or requiring external reinforcement.
Introversion
The tendency to focus energy inward resulting in decreased social interaction.
Latent Learning
Learning that occurs without apparent reinforcement but is not demonstrated until such time as reinforcement occurs.
Locus of Control
A belief about the amount of control a person has over situations in their life.
Long Term Memory
Relatively permanent memory.
Mean
A method of determining an average where the sum of the scores are divided by the number of scores
Measure of Central Tendency
An average (see Mean, Median, and/or Mode)
Median
A method of determining an average by using the score that falls in the middle of the distribution.
Mode
A method of determining an average by using the score(s) which occurs most frequently.
Naturalistic Observation
A research method where the subject(s) is(are) observed without interruption under normal or natural circumstances
Negative Correlation
A correlation where as one variable increases, the other decreases
Neurotransmitter
A chemical found in animals that plays a role in our behavior, cognitions, and emotions
Nightmare
A frightening dream occurring in REM sleep
Nondeclarative Memory
A subsystem within Long term memory which consists of skills we acquire through repetition and practice (e.g., dance, playing the piano, driving a car)
Normal Curve
A graphical interpretation of a population that is 'bell shaped' as it has the highest frequency in the middle and this frequency diminishes the farther you get from the center on either end.
Object Permanence
The understanding that objects exist even when they are not directly observed
Objective Techniques
A generic term for the psychological procedures used to measure personality which rely on measurable or objective techniques such as the MMPI-2 and WAIS-III.
Olfaction
The sense of smell.
Operant Conditioning
Learning that occurs due to the manipulation of the possible consequences
Perception
The process of organizing and using information that is received through the senses
Permissive [parents]
Parenting style consisting of very few rules and allowing children to make most decisions and control their own behavior.
Persuasion
The deliberate attempt to influence the thoughts, feelings or behaviors of another.
Phobia
An intense fear of a specific object or situation. Most of us consider ourselves to have phobias, but to be diagnosable, the fear must significantly restrict our way of life.
Plasticity
The ability of the brain, especially in our younger years to compensate for damage
Population
The entire group to which research is hoping to generalize (e.g., males, adults, U.S. citizens).
Positive Correlation
A correlation where as one variable increases, the other also increases, or as one decreases so does the other.
Primacy Effect
The tendency to remember the first bit of information in a series due to increased rehearsal.
Primary Reinforcer
A reinforcer that meets our basic needs such as food or water.
Projection
In Psychoanalytic Theory, the defense mechanism whereby we transfer or project our feelings about one person onto another.
Psychosis
Break from reality, usually identified by hallucinations, delusions, and/or disorientation
Random Assignment
Assigning subjects to experimental groups based on chance
Random Sample
A group of subjects representing the population who are selected through chance
Rational Emotive Therapy
A Cognitive Therapy based on Albert Ellis' theory that cognitions control our emotions and behaviors; therefore, changing the way we think about things will affect the way we feel and the way we behave
Reaction Formation
A defense mechanism where unacceptable impulses are converted to their opposite
Recency Effect
The tendency to remember the last bit of information due to the shorter time available for forgetting.
Reconstruction
Tendency to fill in the gaps in our memory and often believe these represent true memories
Referent Power
Power given to an individual due to respect and/or desire to be similar to that individual
Reinforcer
Anything that follows a behavior that increases the chances of that behavior occurring again
Regression
A defense mechanism where one reverts to an earlier stage of development
Reliability
A statistical measure of a tests consistency, or ability to result in similar scores if given repeatedly
Retrieval
The process of bringing material out of long term memory and into consciousness
Reward Power
Power derived through an ability to offer rewards
Rogers, Carl
A humanistic Psychologist who developed Client-Centered Therapy
Schema
The cognitive structure utilized to make sense of the world.
Secondary Reinforcer
A reinforcer other than one which meets our basic needs such as food or water (e.g., intellectual stimulation, money, praise).
Selection Bias
Errors in the selection and placement of subjects into groups that results in differences between groups which could effect the results of an experiment
Self Efficacy
One's belief in his or her own ability.
Self Serving Bias
The tendency to assign internal attributes to successes and external factors to failures
Semantic Memory
The part of declarative memory that stores general information such as names and facts
Sensation
Information brought in through the senses
Sensory Memory
The brief storage of information brought in through the senses; typically only lasts up to a few seconds
Shaping
Gradually molding a specific response by reinforcing responses that come close to the desired response
Short Term Memory
The stage of memory where information is stored for up to 30 seconds prior to either being forgotten or transferred to long term memory
Skinner, B. F
Considered the father of behavioral therapy. He once stated that with the ability to control a child's environment, he could raise a child to become anything he wanted.
Social Facilitation
The effect of other's presence on one's performance. Typically we perform simple or well-learned tasks better in front of others and difficult or novel tasks worse.
Standard Deviation
A statistical formula used to determine the amount of difference expected from one score to the next.
State Dependent Memory
The theory that information learned in a particular state of mind (e.g., depressed, happy, somber) is more easily recalled when in that same state of mind.
Stimulus
Anything in the environment to which one responds.
Storage
The process of saving information in long term memory
Stressor
Anything, internal or external, which applies psychological pressure on an individual
Sublimation
A defense mechanism where undesired or unacceptable impulses are transformed into behaviors which are accepted by society
Superego
In Psychoanalytical theory, the part of the personality that represents the conscience.
Syllogism
Aristotle's theory of reasoning where two true statements are followed by a single logical conclusion
Systematic Desensitization
A treatment technique where the client is exposed to gradually increasing anxiety provoking stimuli while relaxing; the goal is for the client to eventually confront a phobia or fear without the previously associated anxiety
Tactile
The sense of touch.
Transference
Intense feelings directed toward the therapist that many clients experience in the process of therapy
Unconditional Positive Regard
The nonjudgmental empathy and respect for another person
Unconditioned Response
The response in a stimulus-response chain that is naturally occurring as opposed to learned.
Unconditioned Stimulus
The stimulus in a stimulus-response chain that is naturally occurring as opposed to learned
Validity
Statistical technique used to determine if a test is actually measuring what it is intended to measure
Variable
Any factor which has the potential to influence another factor in a research study
Variable Interval Schedule
A schedule in which the reinforcement is presented after a varying amount of time
Variable Ratio Schedule
A schedule in which the reinforcement is presented after a varying number of responses
Wernicke's Aphasia
Aphasia resulting from damage to the Wernicke's area of the frontal lobe. Affects written and spoken language.
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