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Psych of Personality
Final Exam Review
384
Psychology
Undergraduate 2
12/11/2010

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Term
Individual Difference
Definition
Differences in personality from one person to another
Term
Intrapersonal Functioning 
Definition
Psychological processes that take place within the person
Term
Metatheory 
Definition
A set of orienting assumptions about reality that provides guidelines for what kinds of ideas to use to create theories
Term
Parsimony 
Definition
The quality of requiring few assumptions; simplicity 
Term
Personality 
Definition
A dynamic organization, inside the person of psychophysical systems that create the  person's characteristics patterns of behavior, thoughts, and feelings
Term
Theory 
Definition
A summary statement, a principle or set of principles about a class of events
Term
Case Study
Definition
An in-depth study of one individual
Term
Causality 
Definition
A relationship such that variation in one dimension produces variation in another
Term
Clinically significant
Definition
An association large enough to have some practical importance
Term
Correlation
Definition
A relationship in which two variables or dimensions covary when measured repeatedly 
Term
Correlation Coefficient
Definition
a numeric index of the degree of correlation between two variables
Term
Dependent Variable
Definition
The variable measures as the outcome of an experiment; the effect in a cause-effect relation
Term
Descriptive Statistics
Definition
Statistics used to describe or characterize some group
Term
Experimental Control
Definition
the holding constant of variables that are not being manipulated
Term
Experimental Method
Definition
The method in which one variable is manipulated to test for casual influence on another variable
Term
Experimental personality research 
Definition
a study involving a personality factor and an experimental factor
Term
Generalizability
Definition
the degree to which a conclusion applies to many people
Term
Independent Variable
Definition
The variable manipulated in an experiement, tested as the cause in a cause-effect relation
Term
Inferential Statistics
Definition
Statistics used to judge whether a relationship exsists between variables
Term
Interaction
Definition
A finding in which the effect of one predictor variable differs depending on the level of another predictor variable
Term
Main Effect
Definition
A finding in which the effect of one predictor variable is independent of other variables
Term

 

Multifactor Study

Definition
a study with two (or more) predictor variables
Term
Personology 
Definition
The study of the whole person, as opposed to studying only one aspect of the person
Term
Practical Significance 
Definition
An association large enough to have practical importance
Term
Random Assingment
Definition
the process of putting people randomly into groups of experiment so their characteristics balance out across groups 
Term
Statistical Significance 
Definition
the likelihood of an obtained effect occuring when there is no true effect
Term
Third-variable problem
Definition
the possibility that an unmeasured variable caused variations in both of two correlated variables
Term
Variable
Definition
A dimension along which two or more variations exist
Term
Anal Stage
Definition
The second stage of development, centered around issues in toilet training
Term
Anticathexis
Definition
The investment of energy in suppressing an impulse or image
Term
Apoptosis
Definition
Biologically programmed cell death
Term
Castration Anxiety
Definition
A boy's fear (from the phallic stage) that his father will preceive him as a rival and castrate him 
Term
Catharsis
Definition
the release of emotional tension
Term
Cathexis 
Definition
the 
Term
Cathexis 
Definition
the investment of psychic energy in a desired activity or image
Term
Conscience
Definition
the part of the superego that punishes violations of moral standards 
Term
Death instincts 
Definition
self-destructive instincts, often turned outward as aggression
Term
Displacement
Definition
the shifting of an impulse from its original target to a different target
Term
Ego 
Definition
the rational part of the personality that deals pragmatically with realtiy
Term
Ego cathexis
Definition
binding psychic energy in an ego-guided activity
Term
ego ideal 
Definition
the part of the superego that represents perfection and rewards for good behavior
Term
Ego Strength
Definition
the ability of the ego to function despite the competing demands of the id, superego, and reality
Term
Erogenous Zone
Definition
a sexually responsive area of the body
Term
Fixation
Definition
the condition of being partly stuck in a stage of psychosexual development
Term
Genital Stage
Definition
The final stage of development, characterized by mature and mutual sexual involvement with another
Term
Id
Definition
the original, primitive component of personality; the source of all energy
Term
Identify
Definition
to develop feelings of similarity to and connectedness with another
Term
Introjection 
Definition
absorbing the values of one's parents into one's superego 
Term
Latency period
Definition
the period in which the crises of the phallic stage give way to a temporary calm
Term
Libido
Definition
the collective energy of life instincts
Term
Life instincts
Definition
Survival and Sexual instincts 
Term
Oedipus complex
Definition
the mix of desire for the opposite-sex parent and fear of or hatred for the same-sex parent
Term
Oral Stage
Definition
the first stage of psychosexual development, in which oral needs create a crisis over weaning
Term
Penis Envy
Definition
A girl's envy of males, from feelings of having been castrated
Term
Phallic Stage
Definition
the third stage of development, in which a crisis occurs over sexual desire for the opposite sex parent
Term
Pleasure principle
Definition
the idea that impulses should be gratified immediately
Term
Preconscious
Definition
the region of the mind that corresponds to ordinary memory
Term
Primary Process
Definition
the id process that creates an unconscious image of a desired object
Term
Reality Principle
Definition
the idea that actions must take into account the constraints of external reality
Term
Reality testing 
Definition
the ego's checking to to see whether plans will work before the are put into action 
Term
Repression
Definition
preventing an idea or impulse from becoming conscious
Term
Secondary process
Definition
the ego process of rationally seeking an object to satisfy a desire
Term
Structural Model
Definition
freud's model of three components of personality
Term
Sublimination
Definition
Altering an unacceptable id impulse to an activity that's more socially acceptable
Term
Superego
Definition
the component of personality that seeks moral perfection
Term
Topographical model 
Definition
freud's model of three regions, or areas, of the mind
Term
Unconscious
Definition
the region of the mind that's not accessible to consciousness
Term
Wish Fulfillment 
Definition
the creation of an unconscious image of a desired object
Term
Anxiety
Definition
a feeling warning the ego that something bad is about to happen
Term
Current Concerns 
Definition
preoccupations in one's current waking life
Term
Defense mechanism 
Definition
an ego-protective strategy to hide threats from yourself and thereby reduce anxiety 
Term
Denial
Definition
a refusal to believe that some real condition exists
Term
Displacement
Definition
the shifting of an impulse from its original target to a different one
Term
Dream work
Definition
processes that distort latent dream content and transform it into manifest content
Term
free association
Definition
a therapy procedure of saying without hesitation whatever comes to mind
Term
Identification
Definition
linking oneself symbolically with someone who has a desired quality that is missing from the self
Term
Insight
Definition
an emotional re-experiencing of earlier confilicts in one's life that occurs during therapy
Term
Intellectualization
Definition
the process of thinking about something clinically and without emotion
Term
Latent Content
Definition
the underlying sources of symbolic dream images
Term
Manifest content
Definition
the images that make up the dream experience as it is recalled
Term
Mechanism of opposites
Definition
a process in which an unacceptable element of latent content is expressed manifestly as its opposite
Term
Moral Anxiety
Definition
the fear of behaving in conflict with the superego's moral code
Term
Neurotic Anxiety
Definition
the that your id impulses will get out of control and get you into trouble
Term
Parapraxis
Definition
a slip of the tongue, behavior, or memory
Term
Projection 
Definition
ascribing a threatening urge or quality in yourself to someone else
Term
Projective techniques
Definition
an  assessment in which you project yourself to someone else
Term
Rationalization
Definition
finding a plausible but incorrect explanation for an unacceptable action or event
Term
Reaction formation
Definition
doing the opposite of what your impulses are
Term
Reality anxiety
Definition
the fear of danger in the world
Term
Regression 
Definition
a return to a mode of coping from an earlier developmental stage
Term
Repression
Definition
the process of keeping an idea or impulse in the unconscious
Term
Resistance
Definition
an attempt to avoid becoming conscious of threatening material in therapy 
Term
Rorschach inkblot test
Definition
a projective test that uses inkblots as ambiguous material in therapy 
Term
Sublimation
Definition
the alteration of an impulse into a socially acceptable act
Term
Symbolization 
Definition
the alteration of an id impluse into a socially acceptable act
Term
Transference
Definition
the displacement onto you therapist of feelings that are tied to an object of conflict
Term
Archetypes
Definition
Aspects of the world that people have an inherited tendency to notice or perceive
Term
collective unconscious
Definition
memories everyone has from human and even prehuman ancestors
Term
Competence Motivation
Definition
the motive to be effective or adept in dealing with the environment
Term
Effectance Motivation 
Definition
The need to have an impact on the environment
Term
Ego control 
Definition
the extent to which a person modifies or inhibits impulse expression
Term
Ego psychology
Definition
the neoanalytic theories that give ego functions central importance
Term
Ego Resiliency
Definition
the capacity to modify one's usual level of ego control to adapt to new situations
Term
Feelings of inferiority
Definition
the realization that one is deficient in some way, minor or major
Term
Functional autonomy
Definition
the continuance of an act even after its initial purpose no longer exists
Term
Inferiority complex
Definition
feelings of inferiority bad enough to suggest an inability to solve life's problems
Term
Lifestyle
Definition
a person's pattern of inferiority feelings and manner of striving for superiority
Term
Mistaken Lifestyle
Definition
a lifestyle that isn't effective in adapting or attaining superiority
Term
Need for Cognition
Definition
a need to think about and impose meaningful structure on experiences
Term
Organ Inferiority
Definition
a weakness in an area of the body, making one vulnerable to illness there
Term
Primary ego autonomy
Definition
the idea that the ego exists independently from the id from birth on
Term
Principle of opposites
Definition
the idea that life consists of polarities that oppose and balance each other
Term
Secondary ego autonomy
Definition
the idea that an ego function can become satisfying in its own right
Term
Superiority Complex
Definition
Exaggerated striving to excel to compensate for deep inferiority feelings
Term
Attachement
Definition
an emotional connection to someone else
Term
Basic Anxiety 
Definition
a sense of insecurity, a feeling of being abandoned and isolated
Term
Ego identity
Definition
the overall sense of self that emerges from transactions with social reality
Term
Ego quality
Definition
the quality that becomes part of one's personality through successful management of a crisis
Term
Epigenesis
Definition
the idea that an internal plan for future development is present at the beginning of life
Term
Identity commitment
Definition
the adoption of a specific identity
Term
Identity Crisis
Definition
A time of intense exploration of alternative ways of viewing oneself
Term
Identity Status
Definition
the condition of whether an identity crisis has occurred and whether an identity has been attained
Term
Life-span development
Definition
the idea that developmental processes continue throughout life
Term
Mirroring
Definition
the giving of positive attention and supportiveness to someone
Term
Narcissism
Definition
a sense of grandiose self-importance and entitlement
Term
Neurotic needs
Definition
maladaptive needs that emerge form overuse of strategies to combat basic anxiety
Term
Object relations
Definition
an individuals symbolized relations to other persons (such as parents)
Term
Play therapy
Definition
the use of play as a procedure for conducting therapy with children
Term
Psychosocial crisis
Definition
a period when some interpersonal issue is being dealt with and growth potential and vulnerablity are both high
Term
Self-psychology
Definition
kohut's theory that that relationships create the structure of the self
Term
Selfobject
Definition
the mental symbol of another person who serves functions for oneself
Term
Separation-individuation
Definition
the process of acquiring a distinct identity; seperating from fusion with the mother
Term
Strange situation
Definition
a procedure used to assess the attachment pattern of infant to mother
Term
Symbiosis
Definition
a period in which an infant experiences fusion with the mother
Term
Transference 
Definition
the viewing of other people through selfobject representations originally developed for parents
Term
Vicious Cycle
Definition
a cycle of needing affection, failing to obtain it, and thereby increasing the need
Term
Aversion Therapy
Definition
the conditioning of an aversive reaction to whats now a positive stimulus
Term
Behavior Modification
Definition
the changing of behavior or therapeutically through conditioning processes
Term
Behavioral assessment
Definition
an assessment made by observing a person's overt behavior
Term
biofeedback
Definition
the technique of learning to control an internal activity by instrumental conditioning
Term
Classical Conditioning
Definition
the pairing of a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus
Term
Conditioned response
Definition
a response to the CS that's acquired by classical conditioning
Term
conditioned stimulus
Definition
a neutral stimulus that's paired with a US to become conditioned
Term
Conflict
Definition
the simultaneous arousal of two incompatible behavioral tendencies
Term
Contingency management
Definition
programs in which reinforcement is increased for a desired behaviors and withheld after undesired behaviors
Term
Continuous Reinforcement
Definition
a schedule in which reinforcement follows each instance of the behavior
Term
Counterconditioning
Definition
the linking of an emotion to a stimulus that differs from the emotion the stimulus now causes
Term
Discrimination
Definition
responding in a different manner to different stimuli
Term
Discriminative stimulus
Definition
a cue that controls the occurence of a behavior
Term
Drive
Definition
a motivational state that increases behaviors that are high in the habit hierarchy
Term
Emotional Conditioning
Definition
Classical Conditioning in which the CR is an emotional reaction
Term
Epiphenomena
Definition
Phenomena that occur along with behavior but have no casual role in behavior
Term
Exposure Treatments
Definition
treatments in which people stay focused on the distressing topic until well after their anxiety reaction dissipates
Term
Extinction
Definition
In classical conditioning, the reduction of a CR by repeating the CS without the US; in instrumental conditioning, the reduction of a behavioral tendency by removing reinforcement
Term
Generalization
Definition
Responding in a similar manner to somewhat different stimuli
Term
Habit hierarchy
Definition
the ordering of a person's potential responses by their likelihood
Term
Higher-order conditioning
Definition
event in which a former CS now acts as a US in a new instance of conditioning
Term
Instrumental conditioning
Definition
conditioning in which a behavior becomes more likely because it is followed by a desirable event or less likely because it is followed by an undesirable event
Term
Negative Reinforcement
Definition
The removal of an aversive stimulus
Term
Partial Reinforcement
Definition
A schedule in which the behavior is reinforced less often than everytime it occurs
Term
Partial Reinforcement effect
Definition
the fact that a behavior acquired through partial reinforcement is resistant to extinction
Term
Phobia
Definition
an inappropriately intense fear of some specific class of stimuli
Term
Physiological assessment
Definition
the measuring of physiological aspects of emotional reactions
Term
Positive reinforcement
Definition
a reinforcement involving addition of a desired stimulus
Term
Punisher
Definition
an undesired event that weakens the behavior that came before it
Term
Radical Behaviorism 
Definition
the position that behavior should be explained solely on the basis of observable events
Term
Reflex
Definition
An event in whihc a stimulus produces an automatic response
Term
Reinforcer
Definition
an event that strengthens the behavior that came before it
Term
Shaping
Definition
changing the nature of ongoing behavior by reinforcing a specific aspect of the behavior
Term
Successive approximation
Definition
Shaping by reinforcing closer approximations of the desired behavior
Term
Systematic Desensitization
Definition
a therapeutic procedure intended to extinguish fear
Term
Timeout
Definition
a punishment in which a child is temporarily removed from an enjoyable activity
Term
Unconditioned Response
Definition
a reflexive response to an unconditioned stimulus
Term
Unconditioned stimulus
Definition
a stimulus that causes a reflexive response
Term
Androgyny
Definition
the condition of having both masculine and feminine qualities
Term
Cognitive-behavioral modification
Definition
A therapeutic technique that attempts to change behaviors by changing thought patterns
Term
Coping model 
Definition
A model that displays fear but ultimately handles it
Term
Efficacy expectancy
Definition
confidence of being able to do something successfully
Term
Expectancy
Definition
judgement about how likely a specific behavior is to attain a goal
Term
Incentive
Definition
the desirability of an outcome
Term
Learned helplessness
Definition
a state of low motivation and effort following extensive exposure to lack of control
Term
Locus of control
Definition
a dimension of believing that one's outcomes are caused by oneself or by external forces
Term
Mastery Model
Definition
a model that displays no fear
Term
observational learning
Definition
acquiring the ability to do a new behavior by watching someone else do it
Term
Participant modeling
Definition
the act of practicing a behavior that's hard for oneself while using the therapist as model
Term
Self-control
Definition
the regulation and sometimes restraint of one's own activities
Term
self-efficacy
Definition
confidence of being able to do something successfully
Term
self-reinforcement
Definition
the approval one gives to oneself for one's own behavior
Term
Semantic generalization
Definition
generalization along a dimension of meaning
Term
Sex role
Definition
the behaviors associated more with members of one sex than the other
Term
Skill deficit
Definition
the absence or insufficiency of a needed behavior or skill
Term
Social Reinforcer
Definition
praise, liking, acceptance, or approval received form someone else
Term
Stress inoculation
Definition
a therapy to develop the ability to cope with a broad range of stressors
Term
Symbolic models
Definition
models in print, movies, TV, and so on
Term
Vicarious Classical Conditioning
Definition
Conditioning in which the unconditioned response occurs via empathy
Term
Vicarious Emotional Arousal
Definition
the tendency to feel someone else's feelings along with them;also called empathy
Term
Vicarious Reinforcement
Definition
an event in which a reinforcement experienced by someone else has a reinforcing effect on one's own behavior
Term
Anxiety
Definition
the response to inability to impose a construct adequately on an event one is experiencing
Term
Constructive Alternativism
Definition
the idea that any event can be construed in many ways
Term
Coping 
Definition
the effort to handle a threat by executing whatever response has been chosen
Term
Core Roles
Definition
the roles that are central to one's life, contributing to one's identity
Term
Defensive Reappraisal
Definition
the process of defining a threat out of existence
Term
Definition
Definition
the applying of a construct in a familiar way, causing its refinement
Term
Emergent pole
Definition
the end of a construct that's being applied to the event being construed
Term
Extension
Definition
the applying of a construct to an unfamiliar event in an attempt to increase its range of convenience
Term
Fixed-role therapy
Definition
a therapy in which the client enacts a role that differs somewhat from his or her current self-perception
Term
Focus of convenience
Definition
the range of applicable events for which a construct has the best prediction
Term
Guilt
Definition
the sensing of a discrepancy between one's acts and another's role expectations for oneself
Term
Implicit Pole
Definition
the end of the construct that isn't being applied to the event being construed
Term
Permeability
Definition
the degree to which a construct extends to events to which it hasn't yet been applied
Term
Personal Construct
Definition
A mental representation used to interpret events
Term
Predictive efficiency
Definition
the degree to which a construct can be applied successfully to events
Term
Primary Appraisal
Definition
the process of perceiving a threat in the environment
Term
Range of convenience
Definition
the range of events for which a construct is useful
Term
Rep test
Definition
a test used to identify a person's major constructs
Term
Role taking
Definition
the process of construing how another person construes oneself
Term
Secondary appraisal
Definition
the process of determining how to respond to a threat
Term
threat
Definition
the perception of an impending reorganization of one's construct system
Term
Attribution
Definition
the process of making a judgement about the cause of an event
Term
Automatic Thoughts
Definition
self-related internal dialogue that often interferes with behavior
Term
Cognitive Assessment
Definition
procedures used to assess cognitive processes and contents of consciousness
Term
Cognitive restructuring
Definition
the process of taking a different and more positive view of one's experience
Term
Cognitive therapy
Definition
procedures aimed at reducing cognitive distortions and the resulting distress
Term
Cognitive Triad
Definition
negative patterns of thinking about the self, world, and the future
Term
Connectionism
Definition
an approach to understanding cognition based on the metaphor of interconnected neurons
Term
default
Definition
something assumed to be true until one learns otherwise
Term
Dual-mode models
Definition
models assuming two different modes of cognition- one effortful, one automatic
Term
Episodic Memory
Definition
memory organized according to sequences of events
Term
Exemplar
Definition
specific examples of a category memeber
Term
Fuzzy set
Definition
a category defined by a set of attributes that aren't absolutely necessary for membership
Term
implicit knowledge
Definition
associations between things in memory that are not directly accesible
Term
mirror neurons
Definition
neurons that are active both when perceiving an action and when doing the action
Term
node
Definition
an area of memory that stores some elements of information
Term
possible self
Definition
an image of oneself in the future
Term
priming
Definition
the process of activating an element in memory by using the information contained in it
Term
prototype
Definition
the representation of a category in terms of a best member of the category
Term
schema
Definition
an organization of knowledge in memory
Term
Script
Definition
a memory structure used to represent a highly stereotyped category of events
Term
self-complexity
Definition
the degree to which one's self-schema is differentiated and compartmentalized
Term
Self-schema
Definition
the schematic representation of the self
Term
Semantic Memory
Definition
memory organized according to meaning
Term
Social Cognition
Definition
Cognitive processes focusing on socially meaningful stimuli
Term
Subliminal
Definition
occurring too fast to be consciously recognized
Term
Action Identification
Definition
the way one thinks or labels whatever action he or she is performin
Term
Attitude
Definition
a personal evaluation of the desirability of an action
Term
Comparator
Definition
a mechanism that compares two values to each other
Term
Deliberative mindset
Definition
a careful mindset that is used while deciding whether to take an action
Term
disengage
Definition
to cease and put aside self-regulation with regard to some goal
Term
Feedback Hierarchy
Definition
an organization of feedback loops, in which superordinate loops act by providing reference values to subordinate loops
Term
Feedback Loop
Definition
A self-regulating system that maintains conformity to some comparison value
Term
Goal conflict
Definition
An attempt to self-regulate toward two incompatible goals at the same time
Term
Goal intention
Definition
the intention to attain some particular outcome
Term
Homeostasis
Definition
Regulation around a constant steady state
Term
Implemental Mindset
Definition
A positively biased mindset used while implementing an intention to act
Term
Implementation Intention
Definition
the intention to take specific actions in specific contexts
Term
Means-end analysis
Definition
the process of creating a plan to attain an overall goal by break it into successively more concrete goals (means)
Term
Principle
Definition
a broad, abstract action quality that could be displayed in any of several programs
Term
Program
Definition
a guideline for the actions that take place in some category of events (as a script)
Term
Subjective Norm
Definition
A person's impression of how other people value an action
Term
Subliminal Stimuli
Definition
stimuli presented too quickly to be consciously recognized
Term
System Concept
Definition
a very abstract guide for behavior, such as an ideal sense of self
Term
Diathesis-stress model
Definition
a theory holding that a vulnerability plus stress creates problems in behavior
Term
Extravert
Definition
a person who is outgoing and prefers social and exciting activities
Term
factor
Definition
a dimension that underlies a set of interrelated measures, such as items on a self-report inventory
Term
factor analysis
Definition
a statistical procedure used to find basic dimensions underlying a set of measures
Term
Factor Loading
Definition
A correlation between a single measure and the factor to which it is being related
Term
Diathesis-stress model
Definition
A theory holding that a vulnerability plus stress creates problems in behavior 
Term
Extravert
Definition
A person who is outgoing and prefers social and exciting activities
Term
Factor
Definition
A dimension that underlies a set of interrelated measures, such as items on self-report inventory
Term
Factor Analysis
Definition
A statistical procedure used to find basic dimensions underlying a set of measures
Term
Factor Loading
Definition
a correlation between a single measure and the factor to which it is being related
Term
Idiographic
Definition
pertaining to an approach that focuses on an individual person's uniqueness
Term
Interactionism
Definition
the idea that situations and personality interact to determine behavior
Term
Interpersonal circle
Definition
personality patterns deriving from varying levels of dominance and love
Term
Introvert
Definition
A person who prefers solitary activities
Term
Lexical criterion
Definition
An index of the importance of a trait from the number of words that refers to it
Term
Nomothetic
Definition
pertaining to an approach that focuses on norms and on variations among persons
Term
Personality coefficient
Definition
A stereotypic correlation between personality and behavior of about .30
Term
Second-order factor
Definition
a factor that emerges from a factor analysis performed on a set of perviously found factors
Term
Situationism
Definition
the idea that situations are the primary determinants of behavior
Term
Traits
Definition
dimensions of personality on which people vary
Term
Types
Definition
distinct and discontinuous categories of persons
Term
Apperception
Definition
the projection of a motive onto an ambiguous external stimulus via imagery
Term
Diagnosticity
Definition
the extent to which a task provides information about something
Term
Implicit motive
Definition
A motive assessed indirectly by fantasy or other narrative
Term
Incentive
Definition
The degree to which an action can satisfy a particular need for a person
Term
Inhibited power motivation
Definition
the condition of having more need for power than for affiliation but restraining its use
Term
Motive
Definition
Cognitive-affective clusters organized around readiness for a particular kind of experience
Term
Need 
Definition
An unsatisfactory internal condition that motivates behavior
Term
Need for achievement
Definition
the need to overcome obstacles and attain goals
Term
Need for affiliation
Definition
the need to form and maintain relationships and to be with people
Term
Need for intimacy
Definition
the need for close communication with someone else
Term
Need for power
Definition
the need to have influence over other people
Term
Personology
Definition
the study of the entire person
Term
Press
Definition
An external stimulus that increases the level of a motive
Term
Primary Need
Definition
a biological need, such as the need for food
Term
Secondary Need
Definition
A psychological or social need
Term
Self-attributed motive
Definition
a motive that is consciously reported
Term
Thematic Apperception Test
Definition
A method of assessing the strength of a motive through narrative fantasy
Term
Activity Level
Definition
the overall output of a person's energy or behavior
Term
adoption study 
Definition
a study of resemblances between children and their adoptive and biological parents
Term
Allele
Definition
Some version of particular gene
Term
assortative mating
Definition
mating based on choice of specific characteristics rather than random
Term
Behavioral Genetics
Definition
the study of inheritance of behavioral qualities
Term
Cerebrotonia
Definition
a mental overintensity that promotes apprehensiveness and social inhibition
Term
Concordance
Definition
agreement on some characteristic between a twin and a co-twin
Term
directional selection
Definition
evolution in which one extreme of a dimension is more adaptive than the other
Term
Dizygotic Twins
Definition
fraternal twins
Term
Ectomorphy
Definition
a tendency toward frail thinness
Term
Effortful Control
Definition
a tendency to be focused, restrained, and planful
Term
Emotionality
Definition
the tendency to become emotionally aroused easily
Term
Endomorphy
Definition
a tendency toward obesity
Term
Ethology
Definition
the study of animals in their natural environment
Term
Genetic Similarity Theory
Definition
the idea that people work toward reproducing genes similar to their own
Term
Genome 
Definition
the sequence of the genes contained in the full complement of chromosomes
Term
Genotype
Definition
the particular version of gene that a given person or group or group has
Term
Heritability
Definition
an estimate of how much variance of some characteristic is accounted for by inheritance
Term
Inclusive Fitness
Definition
the passing on of genes through the survival of relatives
Term
Mesomorphy
Definition
a tendency toward muscularity
Term
Molecular genetics
Definition
the study of how alleles of specific genes relate to other observed differences
Term
Monozygotic Twins
Definition
Identical twins
Term
Polymorphism
Definition
the characteristic of having more than one allele for a given gene
Term
Reciprocal Altruism
Definition
helping others with the expectation the help will be returned
Term
Siblings
Definition
Brothers and sisters
Term
Sociability
Definition
the tendency to prefer being with people over being alone
Term
Sociobiology
Definition
the study of the evolutionary basis for social behavior
Term
Somatotonia
Definition
Energetic desire for adventure and physical activity
Term
Somatotype
Definition
the description of a person's body configuration along three dimensions
Term
Stabilizing selection
Definition
Evolution in which intermediate values of a dimension are most adaptive
Term
Temperaments
Definition
inherited traits that appear early in life
Term
Twin Study
Definition
a study comparing similarity between MZ twins against similarity between DZ twins
Term
Viscerotonia
Definition
A relaxed sociability and love of comfort
Term
Anabolic Steroids
Definition
Chemicals that mimic the body's tendency to rebuild muscle tissues
Term
Antisocial personality
Definition
a person who displays impulsive action with little thought to consequences 
Term
Behavioral approach system
Definition
the part of the brain that regulates pursuit of incentives 
Term
Behavioral Inhibition System
Definition
the part of the brain that regulates anticipation of punishment
Term
Dopamine
Definition
A neurotransmitter believe to be especially important to approach regulation
Term
EEG
Definition
A record of overall electrical activity in the higher regions of the brain
Term
fMRI
Definition
Use of MRI to create a picture of activity inside the brain in different mental states
Term
Impulsive unsocialized sensation seeking
Definition
trait involving the capcity to inhibit behavior in the service of social adaptation
Term
Incentives
Definition
things that people desire
Term
MRI
Definition
a picture of activity inside the brain based on the brain's electromagnetic energy
Term
Negative emotionality
Definition
the predisposition to experience negative feelings frequently
Term
Neurotransmitter
Definition
a chemical involved in sending messages along nerve pathways
Term
orienting response
Definition
the shift of attention to a stimulus that suddenly appears
Term
Pharmacotherapy
Definition
a therapy based on use of medication
Term
Positive Emotionality
Definition
the predisposition to experience positive feelings frequently
Term
PET
Definition
a picture of activity in the brain based on the brains metabolism
Term
Sensation Seeking
Definition
The tendency to seek out varied, unusual, and exciting stimuli
Term
Seotonin
Definition
a neurotransmitter that some believe is involved in behavioral inhibition
Term
Actual Self
Definition
one's self as one presently views it
Term
Actualization
Definition
the tendency to grow in ways that maintain or enhance the organism
Term
Clarification of Feelings
Definition
the procedure in which a therapist restates a client's expressed feelings
Term
Client-centered Therapy
Definition
A type of therapy that removes conditions of worth and has clients examine their feelings
Term
Conditional Positive regard
Definition
Affection that is only given under certain conditions
Term
Conditional Self-regard
Definition
self-acceptance that is only given under certain conditions
Term
Conditions of Worth
Definition
Contingencies placed on positive regard
Term
Congruence
Definition
An integration within the self and a coherence between the self and one's experiences
Term
Content Analysis
Definition
The grouping and counting of various categories of statements in an interview
Term
Contingent self-worth
Definition
self-acceptance that's based on performance in some domain of life
Term
Dasein
Definition
"being in the world"; the totality of one's autonomous personal existence
Term
Deficiency-based motive
Definition
A motive reflecting a lack within the person that needs to be filled
Term
Existential Guilt
Definition
A sense of guilt over failing to fulfill all of one's possibilities
Term
Existential Psychology
Definition
the view that people are responsible for investing their lives with meaning
Term
Flow
Definition
the experience of being immersed completely in an activity
Term
Fully functioning Person
Definition
a person who's open to the experiences of life and who's self-actualizing
Term
Growth-based Motive
Definition
a motive reflecting the desire to extend and elaborate oneself
Term
Humanistic Psychology
Definition
a branch of psychology emphasizing the universal capacity for personal growth
Term
Ideal Self
Definition
the personal values to which one aspires
Term
Organismic Valuing Process
Definition
The internal signal that tells whether self-actualization is occuring
Term
Peak Experience
Definition
A subjective experience of intense self-actualization
Term
Positive Regard
Definition
Acceptance and Affection
Term
Q-Sort
Definition
An Assessment technique in which descriptors are sorted according to how much they apply to oneself
Term
Reactance
Definition
A motive to regain or reassert a freedom that's been threatened
Term
Restatement of content
Definition
a procedure in which a therapist rephrases the ideas expressed by a client
Term
Self-actualization
Definition
a process of growing in ways that maintain or enhance the self
Term
Self-concordance
Definition
Pursuing goals that are consistent with one's core values
Term
Self-detemination
Definition
deciding for oneself what to do
Term
Self-guides
Definition
Qualities of the self one desires to be or feels compelled to be
Term
Self-handicapping
Definition
Creating situations that make it hard to succeed, thus enabling avoidance of self-blame for failure
Term
Stereotype Threat
Definition
Having a negative perception of the self because of feeling prejudged
Term
Transcendent Self-actualizers
Definition
People whose actualization goes beyond the self to become more universal
Term
Unconditional Positive Regard
Definition
Acceptance and affection with "no strings attached"
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