Psychological Theories Flashcards

What is the primary focus of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)?

Answer: Changing thought patterns and behaviors.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a widely used psychotherapy that focuses on the interconnectedness of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Its primary goal is to help individuals identify and challenge unhelpful or distorted thought patterns (cognitions) and maladaptive behaviors. By learning new coping skills and reframing negative thinking, clients can develop healthier responses and improve their emotional well-being.

Which of the following is a key principle of humanistic psychology?

Answer: The focus on self-actualization and personal growth.

Humanistic psychology emphasizes the inherent goodness of people and their innate drive towards self-actualization, which is the process of realizing one's full potential. Key figures like Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow focused on concepts such as free will, self-determination, and the importance of personal growth. This perspective highlights individual experience and the capacity for positive change.

What does the psychodynamic theory of personality focus on?

Answer: Unconscious drives and early experiences.

Psychodynamic theory, originating from Sigmund Freud's work, posits that unconscious psychological processes and early childhood experiences significantly shape an individual's personality and behavior. It explores how unresolved conflicts, repressed emotions, and defense mechanisms influence thoughts, feelings, and relationships. The focus is on bringing unconscious material into conscious awareness to resolve inner conflicts.

Which psychological theory emphasizes reinforcement and punishment as key factors in learning?

Answer: Behaviorism.

Behaviorism is a psychological theory that focuses on observable behaviors and how they are learned through interactions with the environment. It posits that learning occurs primarily through conditioning, where behaviors are strengthened or weakened by the consequences that follow them, specifically reinforcement and punishment.

What is the main premise of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Answer: The need to satisfy basic physiological needs before higher needs.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs proposes that human motivation is based on a pyramid of needs, where basic physiological requirements (like food and water) must be met first. Only after these fundamental needs are satisfied can individuals progress to higher-level needs, such as safety, love, esteem, and ultimately, self-actualization.

In what way does the attachment theory relate to childhood development?

Answer: It highlights the role of early caregiver relationships.

Attachment theory, developed by John Bowlby, emphasizes the profound impact of early relationships with primary caregivers on a child's development. It suggests that the quality of these initial bonds shapes a child's sense of security, their ability to form healthy relationships later in life, and their overall emotional well-being.

What does the theory of operant conditioning emphasize?

Answer: The role of reinforcement and punishment in behavior.

Operant conditioning, a concept championed by B.F. Skinner, focuses on how voluntary behaviors are learned through their consequences. It emphasizes that behaviors followed by rewarding consequences (reinforcement) are more likely to be repeated, while those followed by unpleasant consequences (punishment) are less likely to occur.

Which of the following is a key component of social learning theory?

Answer: Learning through observation of others.

Social learning theory, primarily associated with Albert Bandura, highlights that people learn not only through direct experience but also by observing others. This observational learning, or modeling, allows individuals to acquire new behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions by watching the actions of others and the consequences they experience.

What is the primary focus of cognitive psychology?

Answer: Mental processes like perception and memory.

Cognitive psychology is dedicated to the scientific study of internal mental processes. Its primary focus includes how people perceive, think, remember, learn, solve problems, and make decisions, exploring the complex workings of the mind that influence behavior.