心理学名词解释.docx

1、心理学名词解释AAB DesignA single subject research design that contains one baseline (A) and one treatment (B). ABAB Design A single subject research design that contains a baseline (A1), treatment (B1), a second baseline (B2) and a second treatment phase (B2) Alpha (lowercase) The abbreviation for probabil

2、ity of error in statistical results. See Type I Error. (a) Alternative Hypothesis The hypothesis that states there is a difference between two or more sets of data. Absolute ZeroCharacteristic of a scale of measurement that contains a point where the scale has no value.AccommodationThe creation of n

3、ew cognitive schemas when objects, experiences, or other information does not fit with existing schemas.Action PotentialThe firing on a neuron. Occurs when the charge inside the neuron becomes more positive than the charge outside.AcetycholineA neurotransmitter associated with voluntary movement, sl

4、eep and wakefulness.AggressiveAn interpersonal style where only the immediate needs of the self are considered rather than the needs of others. (As opposed to passive or assertive) Agoraphobia An anxiety disorder characterized by an intense fear of leaving ones home. All or None Law Either a neuron

5、completely fires or it does not fire at all. Alpha (lowercase)The abbreviation for probability of error in statistical results. See Type I Error. (a)Alternative HypothesisThe hypothesis that states there is a difference between two or more sets of data.AltruismBehavior that is unselfish and may even

6、 be detrimental but which benefits others.AmnesiaLoss of memory. Usually only a partial loss such as for a period of time or biographical information.Amygdala A part of the brains limbic system that attaches emotional significance to information and mediates both defensive and aggressive behavior. A

7、nal Expulsive PersonalityStemming from the Anal stage, a child who becomes fixated due to over control transfers his or her unresolved anal (or control) issues into characteristics such as cruelty, pushiness, messiness, or disorganization.Anal Retentive PersonalityStemming from the Anal stage, a chi

8、ld who becomes fixated due to under control transfers his or her unresolved anal (or control) issues into characteristics such as compulsivity, stinginess, cleanliness, organization, and obstinance.Anal StageFreuds second stage of psychosexual development where the primary sexual focus is on the eli

9、mination or holding onto feces. The stage is often thought of as representing a childs ability to control his or her own world.AnalysisSee Psychoanalysis.Analysis of VarianceAn inferential statistical procedure used to test whether or not the means of two or more sets of data are equal to each other

10、.ANOVAAnalysis of Variance.AnxietyThe physiological and psychological reaction to an expected danger, whether real or imagined.AphasiaThe impairment of the ability to communicate either through oral or written discourse as a result of brain damage.Approach-Approach ConflictThe conflict presented whe

11、n two opposite but equally appealing choices are available but can not both be obtained.Approach-Avoidance Conflict The conflict presented when the best positive choice will result in a negative outcome as well as positive. Arousal TheoryThe theory stating that we are motivated by our innate desire

12、to maintain an optimal level of arousal. Assertive Style of interpersonal interaction where both the needs of the self and others are considered. (As opposed to passive or aggressive) Assimilation Incorporating objects, experiences, or information into existing schemas.AssociationsThe phenomenon in

13、learning that states we are better able to remember information if it is paired with something we are familiar with or otherwise stands out.Attachment The strong bond a child forms with his or her primary caregiver.Attribution An idea or belief about the etiology of a certain behavior. Attribution T

14、heory The theory that argues people look for explanation of behavior, associating either dispositional (internal) attributes or situational (external) attributes. Authoritarian parents Parenting style focused on excessive rules, rigid belief systems, and the expectation of unquestioned obedience.Aut

15、horitative parents Parenting style focused on setting reasonable rules and expectations while encouraging communication and independence.Autonomic Nervous System Part of the peripheral nervous system that regulates the involuntary actions of the body (e.g., breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, pup

16、il dilation). Also regulates the Fight or Flight Phenomenon. 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 p

17、aired with a negative behavior in hopes that the behavior will change in the future to avoid the aversive stimuli.Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict The conflict where both possible choices have an equal negative outcome. AxonThe tail-like part of the neuron through which information exits the cell.BBehav

18、ior ModificationThe application of behavioral theory to change a specific behavior.Behavior TherapyThe application of behavioral theory (e.g. conditioning, reinforcement) in the treatment of mental illness.BehaviorismThe school of psychology founded on the premise that behavior is measurable and can

19、 be changed through the application of various behavioral principles.Bell-Shaped CurveAlso referred to as a normal distribution or normal curve, a bell-shaped curve is a perfect mesokurtic curve where the mean, median, and mode are equal.Beta (uppercase)Abbreviation for Power in statistical results.

20、 See Type II Error. (b)Binocular Cues Visual cues (convergence and retinal disparity) that require both eyes to perceive distance (as opposed to monocular cues) BisexualityBeing attracted to or aroused by members of both genders. See Sexual Orientation. Blind StudyAs a way to avoid the placebo effec

21、t in research, this type of study is designed without the subjects knowledge of the anticipated results and sometimes even the nature of the study. The subjects are said to be blind to the expected results. Brocas AphasiaAn aphasia associated with damage to the Brocas area of the brain, demonstrated

22、 by the impairment in producing understandable speech. BurnoutChanges in thoughts, emotions, and behavior as a result of extended job stress and unrewarded repetition of duties. Burnout is seen as extreme dissatisfaction, pessimism, lowered job satisfaction, and a desire to quit. CCanonical Correlat

23、ionA correlational technique used when there are two or more X and two or more Y. (Example: The correlation between (age and sex) and (income and life satisfaction) Castration AnxietyAccording to Freuds Stages of Psychosexual Development, the fear a boy in the phallic stage experiences due to a fear

24、 that his father will render him powerless if his father finds out about his attraction toward his mother.CatharsisThe emotional release associated with the expression of unconscious conflicts.CEEB ScoreA standard score that sets the mean to five-hundred and standard deviation to one-hundred. Used o

25、n the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) Cell BodyThe main part of a neuron where the information is processed.Central Nervous SystemThe brain and the spinal cord.Central Tendency A statistical measurement attempting to depict the average score in a distribution (see mean, median, and/or mode) Centratio

26、n A young childs 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. Cerebellum Part of the brain associated with balance, smooth movement, and posture. Cerebral Hemispheres The two halves of the brain (right a

27、nd left) Chemical Imbalance A generic term for the idea that chemical in the brain are either too scarce or too abundant resulting in or contributing to a mental disorder such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Others believe that the disorder precedes the imbalance, suggesting that a change in m

28、ood, for example, changes our chemicals rather than the chemical changing our mood.Chunk A unit of information used in memory Chunking Combining smaller units of measurement or chunks into larger chunks. (e.g., a seven chunk phone number such as 5-5-5-1-2-1-2 becomes a five chunk number such as 5-5-

29、5-12-12) 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 Rogers beliefs that an individua

30、l has an unlimited capacity for psychological growth and will continue to grow unless barriers are placed in the way.Coefficient of Determination The statistic or number determined by squaring the correlation coefficient. Represents the amount of variance accounted for by that correlation. Coercive

31、Power Power derived through the ability to punish.CognitionThe process of receiving, processing, storing, and using information. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Treatment involving the combination of behaviorism (based on the theories of learning) and cognitive therapy (based on the theory that our cog

32、nitions or thoughts control a large portion of our behaviors). Cognitive Dissonancehe realization of contradictions in ones own attitudes and behaviors. Cognitive Psychology The sub-field of psychology associated with information processing and the role it plays in emotion, behavior, and physiology. Cognitive TherapyThe treatment approach based on the theory that our cognitions or thoug