Midterm

Question 1

What is psychology?

Answer 1

The study of human behavior and mental processes

Question 2

Empirical evidence

Answer 2

Knowledge obtained through systematic observation and experimentation.

Question 3

Pseudoscience

Answer 3

Claims that appear scientific but lack empirical support (e.g., phrenology).

Question 4

Operational Definition

Answer 4

A precise definition that specifies how a conceptual variable is measured

Question 5

Three main research designs

Answer 5

descriptive, correlational, experimental

Question 6

objective research

Answer 6

free from personal bias or emotions

Question 7

characteristics of good theories

Answer 7

applied to different outcomes, simplest explanation, predictions can be correct or incorrect

Question 8

independent variable also known as

Answer 8

manipulated variable

Question 9

placebo effect

Answer 9

improvement due to expectations rather than treatment

Question 10

emotion

Answer 10

mental and physiological state that directs attention and behaviour

Question 11

three components of emotion

Answer 11

biological, cognitive, sociocultural

Question 12

Primary emotions include

Answer 12

Universal emotions like happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust

Question 13

Facial feedback hypothesis

Answer 13

Facial expressions can influence emotions

Question 14

Part of the brain crucial for emotional experience

Answer 14

Amygdala

Question 15

Secondary emotions are

Answer 15

more complex emotions shaped by culture and cognition

Question 16

What is misattribution of arousal?

Answer 16

When physical arousal is incorrectly labeled as a different emotion.

Question 17

What is excitation transfer?

Answer 17

The process where arousal from one event amplifies emotions in another event.

Question 18

What are mirror neurons?

Answer 18

Neurons that fire both when performing an action and when observing others perform it.

Question 19

Motivation

Answer 19

force that initiates and directs behaviour

Question 20

What are drive states

Answer 20

Physiological needs that create motivation to act.

Question 21

What are goals?

Answer 21

Cognitive representations of desired end states.

Question 22

What is set-point theory?

Answer 22

The idea that body weight is regulated around a genetically determined level.

Question 23

Role of hypothalamus in hunger

Answer 23

The lateral hypothalamus triggers hunger, while the ventromedial hypothalamus signals satiety.

Question 24

Stress

Answer 24

The physiological and psychological response to challenging situations.

Question 25

Eustress

Answer 25

Positive stress that can enhance motivation and performance

Question 26

Distress

Answer 26

Negative stress that can harm health and well being

Question 27

HPA axis

Answer 27

System involving the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal glands in stress responses

Question 28

Cortisol

Answer 28

Hormone released in response to stress

Question 29

Social support

Answer 29

Emotional and practical assistance from others

Question 30

Role of oxytocin in stress

Answer 30

a hormone that promotes social bonding and reduces stress

Question 31

mindfulness

Answer 31

mental state achieved by focusing on the present moment

Question 32

STOP method

Answer 32

technique to pause and manage stress (Stop, Take a breath, Observe, Proceed)

Question 33

Altruism

Answer 33

Helping others without expecting personal benefit

Question 34

Burnout

Answer 34

state of emotional mental and physical exhaustion due to prolonged stress

Question 35

Social psychology

Answer 35

The study of how people influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Question 36

Social norms

Answer 36

Rules that regulate behavior in society

Question 37

conformity

Answer 37

Changing behavior to align with group norms.

Question 38

What was Asch’s conformity experiment?

Answer 38

A study demonstrating that people conform to group pressure even when they know it's wrong.

Question 39

Obedience

Answer 39

Following orders from an authority figure.

Question 40

What was Milgram’s obedience study?

Answer 40

A study showing that people will obey authority figures even to the point of harming others.

Question 41

What is persuasion?

Answer 41

The process of influencing others' attitudes and behaviors.

Question 42

What is the scarcity effect?

Answer 42

The tendency to value scarce resources more.

Question 43

What is the reciprocity effect?

Answer 43

The tendency to return favors.

Question 44

What is social proof?

Answer 44

The tendency to follow the behavior of others.

Question 45

What is diffusion of responsibility?

Answer 45

The belief that someone else will take action in a group setting.

Question 46

Deindividuation

Answer 46

Losing self-awareness in a group.

Question 47

Implicit Biases

Answer 47

Unconscious prejudices that affect behavior.

Question 48

What is stereotype threat?

Answer 48

The fear of confirming negative stereotypes

Question 49

groupthink

Answer 49

Poor decision-making due to group pressure.

Question 50

Bystander effect

Answer 50

People are less likely to help in a crowd.

Question 51

Social roles

Answer 51

Expected behaviours in specific situations

Question 52

What is attraction based on

Answer 52

Proximity, similarity, and physical appearance.

Question 53

cognitive dissonance

Answer 53

The discomfort from conflicting attitudes or behaviors.