StudyGuide1-1 Key Terms
physiological having to do with an organism’s physical processes (page 7)
cognitive having to do with an organism’s thinking and understanding (page 7)
psychology the scientific study of behavior that is tested through scientific research
(page 9)
hypothesis an assumption or prediction about behavior that is tested through
scientific
research (page 11)
theory a set of assumptions used to explain phenomena and offered for scientific
study
(page 11)
basic science the pursuit of knowledge about natural phenomena for its own sake
(page 11)
applied science discovering ways to use scientific findings to accomplish practical
goals
(page 11)
scientific method a general approach to gathering information and answering
questions so
that errors and biases are minimized (page 12)
StudyGuide1-2 Key Terms
structuralist a psychologist who studied the basic elements that make up conscious
mental
experiences (page 16)
introspection a method of self-observation in which participants report on their
thoughts and
feelings (page 16)
functionalist a psychologist who studied the function (rather than the structure) of
consciousness
(page 16)
psychoanalyst a psychologist who studies how unconscious motives and conflicts
determine
human behavior (page 19)
behaviorist a psychologist who analyzes how organisms learn or modify their
behavior based
on their response to events in the environment (page 20)
humanist a psychologist who believes that each person has freedom in directing his
or her
future and achieving personal growth (page 20)
cognitivist a psychologist who focuses on how we process, store, and use information
and
how this information influences our thinking, language, problem solving, and
creativity
(page 20)
psychobiologist a psychologist who studies how physical and chemical changes in our
bodies
influence our behavior (page 21)
StudyGuide1-3
Key Terms
psychologist a scientist who studies the mind and behavior of humans and animals
(page 25)
clinical psychologist a psychologist who diagnoses and treats people with emotional
disturbances (page 25)
counseling psychologist a psychologist who usually helps people deal with problems
of living
(page 25)
psychiatry a branch of medicine that deals with mental, emotional, or behavioral
disorders
(page 25)
developmental psychologist a psychologist who studies the emotional, cognitive,
biological,
personal, and social changes that occur as an individual matures (page 26)
educational psychologist a psychologist who is concerned with helping students learn
(page 26)
community psychologist a psychologist who may work in a mental health or social
welfare
agency operated by the government or private organization (page 26)
industrial/organizational psychologist a psychologist who uses psychological concepts
to
make the workplace a more satisfying environment for employees and managers
(page 26)
experimental psychologist a psychologist who studies sensation, perception, learning,
motivation, and emotion in carefully controlled laboratory conditions (page 28)
StudyGuide3-1
Key Terms
developmental psychology the study of changes that occur as an individual matures
(page 61)
grasping reflex an infant’s clinging response to a touch on the palm of his or her
hand
(page 62)
rooting reflex an infant’s response in turning toward the source of touching that
occurs anywhere
around his or her mouth (page 62)
maturation the internally programmed growth of a child (page 64)
telegraphic speech the kind of verbal utterances in which words are left out, but the
meaning
is usually clear (page 67)
StudyGuide3-2
Key Terms
schema a conceptual framework a person uses to make sense of the world (page 71)
assimilation the process of fitting objects and experiences into one’s schemas (page
71)
accommodation the adjustment of one’s schemas to include newly observed events
and
experiences (page 71)
object permanence a child’s realization that an object exists even when he or she
cannot see
or touch it (page 72)
representational thought the intellectual ability of a child to picture something in his
or her
mind (page 72)
conservation the principle that a given quantity does not change when its appearance
is
changed (page 73)
egocentric a young child’s inability to understand another person’s perspective (page
73)
imprinting inherited tendencies or responses that are displayed by newborn animals
when
they encounter new stimuli in their environment (page 75)
critical period a specific time in development when certain skills or abilities are most
easily
learned (page 75)
StudyGuide3-3
Key Terms
authoritarian family parents attempt to control, shape, and evaluate the behavior and
attitudes
of their children and adolescents in accordance with a set code of conduct (page 79)
democratic/authoritative family children and adolescents participate in decisions
affecting
their lives (page 79)
permissive/laissez-faire family children and adolescents have the final say; parents are
less
controlling and have a nonpunishing, accepting attitude toward children (page 79)
socialization the process of learning the rules of behavior of the culture within which
an individual
is born and will live (page 81)
identification the process by which a child adopts the values and principles of the
same-sex
parent (page 82)
sublimation the process of redirecting sexual impulses into learning tasks (page 82)
role taking children’s play that involves assuming adult roles, thus enabling the child
to experience
different points of view (page 84)
StudyGuide4-1
Key Terms
initiation rites ceremonies or rituals in which an individual is admitted to new status
or
accepted into a new position (page 94)
puberty sexual maturation; the end of childhood and the point when reproduction is
first
possible (page 95)
menarche the first menstrual period (page 96)
spermarche period during which males achieve first ejaculation (page 96)
asynchrony the condition during adolescence in which the growth or maturation of
bodily
parts is uneven (page 96)
StudyGuide4-2
Key Terms
rationalization a process whereby an individual seeks to explain an often unpleasant
emotion or behavior in a way that will preserve his or her self-esteem (page 102)
identity crisis a period of inner conflict during which adolescents worry intensely
about who
they are (page 105)
social learning theory Albert Bandura’s view of human development; emphasizes
interaction (page 107)
StudyGuide4-3
Key Terms
clique a small, exclusive group of people within a larger group (page 111)
conformity acting in accord with group norms and customs (page 111)
anorexia nervosa a serious eating disorder characterized by a fear of gaining weight
that
results in prolonged self-starvation and dramatic weight loss (page 114)
bulimia nervosa a serious eating disorder characterized by compulsive overeating
usually followed
by self-induced vomiting or laxative abuse (page 115)
StudyGuide4-4
Key Terms
gender identity the sex group (masculine or feminine) to which an individual
biologically
belongs (page 117)
gender role the set of behaviors that society considers appropriate for each sex (page
117)
gender stereotype an oversimplified or distorted generalization about the
characteristics of
men and women (page 117)
androgynous combining or confusing traditionally male and female characteristics
(page 117)
gender schema a set of behaviors organized around how either a male or female
should think
and behave (page 122)
StudyGuide6-1
Key Terms
central nervous system (CNS) the brain and spinal cord (page 156)
spinal cord nerves that run up and down the length of the back and transmit most
messages
between the body and brain (page 156)
peripheral nervous system (PNS) nerves branching out from the spinal cord (page
156)
neurons the long, thin cells of nerve tissue along which messages travel to and from
the brain
(page 157)
synapse the gap that exists between individual nerve cells (page 157)
neurotransmitters the chemicals released by neurons, which determine the rate at
which
other neurons fire (page 158)
somatic nervous system (SNS) the part of the peripheral nervous system that
controls voluntary
movement of skeletal muscles (page 158)
autonomic nervous system (ANS) the part of the peripheral nervous system that
controls
internal biological functions (page 158)
StudyGuide6-2
Key Terms
hindbrain a part of the brain located at the rear base of the skull that is involved in
the basic
processes of life (page 160)
midbrain a small part of the brain above the pons that integrates sensory information
and
relays it upward (page 161)
forebrain a part of the brain that covers the brain’s central core (page 161)
lobes the different regions into which the cerebral cortex is divided (page 162)
electroencephalograph (EEG) a machine used to record the electrical activity of
large portions
of the brain (page 165)
computerized axial tomography (CAT) an imaging technique used to study the brain
to pinpoint
injuries and brain deterioration (page 167)
positron emission tomography (PET) an imaging technique used to see which brain
areas are
being activated while performing tasks (page 167)
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) an imaging technique used to study brain
structure and
activity (page 167)
StudyGuide12-1
Key Terms
motivation an internal state that activates behavior and directs it toward a goal (page
314)
instincts innate tendencies that determine behavior (page 314)
need a biological or psychological requirement of an organism (page 314)
drive a state of tension produced by a need that motivates an organism toward a goal
(page 315)
homeostasis the tendency of all organisms to correct imbalances and deviations from
their normal
state (page 315)
incentive an external stimulus, reinforcer, or reward that motivates behavior (page
316)
extrinsic motivation engaging in activities that either reduce biological needs or help
us obtain
external incentives (page 316)
intrinsic motivation engaging in activities because they are personally rewarding or
because they
fulfill our beliefs and expectations (page 316)
StudyGuide12-3
Key Term
emotion a set of complex reactions to stimuli involving subjective feelings,
physiological
arousal, and observable behavior (page 329)
StudyGuide14-1
Key Term
personality the consistent, enduring, and unique characteristics of a person (page
375)
StudyGuide14-2
Key Terms
unconscious the part of the mind that contains material we are unaware of, but that
strongly
influences conscious processes and behaviors (page 379)
id the part of the unconscious personality that contains our needs, drives, and
instincts, as
well as repressed material (page 379)
ego the part of the personality that is in touch with reality and strives to meet the
demands of
the id and the superego in socially acceptable ways (page 380)
superego the part of the personality that inhibits the socially undesirable impulses of
the id
(page 380)
defense mechanisms certain specific means by which the ego unconsciously protects
itself
against unpleasant impulses or circumstances (page 380)
collective unconscious the part of the mind that contains inherited instincts, urges,
and
memories common to all people (page 384)
archetype an inherited idea, based on the experiences of one’s ancestors, which
shapes one’s
perception of the world (page 384)
inferiority complex a pattern of avoiding feelings of inadequacy rather than
trying to overcome
their source (page 385
StudyGuide14-4
Key Terms
humanistic psychology a school of psychology that emphasizes personal
growth and the
achievement of maximum potential of each unique individual (page 392)
self-actualization the humanist term for realizing one’s unique potential (page
392)
self one’s experience or image of oneself, developed through interaction with
others (page 395)
positive regard viewing oneself in a positive light because of positive feedback
received from
interaction with others (page 395)
conditions of worth the conditions a person must meet in order to regard
himself or herself
positively (page 395)
unconditional positive regard the perception that individuals’ significant
others value them for
what they are, which leads the individuals to grant themselves the same regard
(page 396)
fully functioning an individual whose person and self coincide (page 396)
StudyGuide19-2
Key Terms
conformity acting in accord with group norms or customs (page 556)
obedience a change in attitude or behavior brought about by social pressure to
comply with
people perceived to be authorities (page 558)
StudyGuide20-1
Key Terms
attitude predisposition to act, think, and feel in particular ways toward a class of
people,
objects, or an idea (page 577)
self-concept how we see or describe ourselves; our self-perception (page 580)