Psychological Theories Flashcards

In Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory, what concept describes a person's belief in their own ability to succeed in specific situations?

Answer: Self-efficacy

Self-efficacy is Bandura's term for an individual's confidence in their capacity to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific outcomes.

Which defense mechanism involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to another person?

Answer: Projection

Projection involves unconsciously attributing one's own unacceptable impulses, feelings, or traits onto someone else.

Erik Erikson's stage of 'Intimacy vs. Isolation' occurs during which life period?

Answer: Early adulthood

Erikson placed the Intimacy vs. Isolation stage in early adulthood (roughly ages 18–40), when forming close relationships is the central challenge.

A client consistently arrives late to sessions and 'forgets' homework. From an object relations perspective, this behavior most likely reflects:

Answer: Enactment of early relational patterns

Object relations theory interprets such behaviors as re-enactments of internalized early relationships within the therapeutic frame.

Which theorist introduced the concept of the 'collective unconscious' and archetypes?

Answer: Carl Jung

Carl Jung proposed that the collective unconscious is a shared layer of the unconscious mind containing universal archetypes common to all humans.

In Gestalt therapy, the 'empty chair' technique is primarily used to:

Answer: Facilitate dialogue with an absent person or part of oneself

The empty chair technique allows clients to project significant others or disowned parts onto an empty chair and engage in dialogue with them.

According to attachment theory, an infant who shows distress when the caregiver leaves but is not comforted upon return exhibits which attachment style?

Answer: Anxious-ambivalent

Anxious-ambivalent (resistant) attachment is characterized by high distress at separation and inability to be soothed upon reunion.