Bachelor of Social Science Psychology Flashcards

In an experiment run by psychologist Stanley Milgram, subjects were given instructions to provide ____ to "learners" in a different room.

Answer: Electric shocks

In Stanley Milgram's famous obedience experiments, subjects were instructed by an authority figure to administer what they believed were increasingly powerful electric shocks to a 'learner' (an actor) in another room. The experiment aimed to study the extent to which individuals would obey authority figures, even when it meant potentially harming another person. The 'shocks' were not real, but the subjects believed they were.

Psychology research looks beyond ____ to comprehend unconscious motivations.

Answer: outward behaviors

Many fields of psychology, particularly psychodynamic and humanistic approaches, delve into the complexities of the mind that are not always evident through observable actions. To understand unconscious motivations, internal conflicts, and deeper psychological processes, researchers must look beyond superficial outward behaviors. These approaches aim to uncover the underlying reasons for behavior, thoughts, and feelings.

An example from the ____ field of psychology is the law of proximity, which states that humans frequently use how close items are to one another to see a larger image.

Answer: Gestalt

Gestalt psychology is a school of thought that emphasizes that the whole of anything is greater than its parts. It focuses on how the mind organizes sensory information into meaningful wholes, or 'gestalts.' The law of proximity, which states that elements close to one another tend to be perceived as a single group, is a fundamental principle of Gestalt perception, illustrating how we naturally organize visual information.

The objective of "enhancing" a population's genetic make-up is referred to as .

Answer: Eugenics

Eugenics is a set of beliefs and practices aimed at improving the genetic quality of a human population, typically by excluding people and groups judged to be inferior and promoting those judged to be superior. Historically, this has involved controversial and unethical practices like forced sterilization and selective breeding. The core objective is to 'enhance' the genetic make-up of a population.

Which researcher showed that the number of new items we can store in our short-term memory at one time is limited?

Answer: George Miller

George Miller, in his seminal 1956 paper 'The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two,' demonstrated that the capacity of short-term memory is limited to roughly seven 'chunks' of information. This research was crucial in understanding the constraints of human cognitive processing and how we organize information. His work highlighted that we can only hold a small number of items in our conscious awareness at any given time.

Of the following, which contributes to memory distortion?

Answer: All of the answer choices are correct.

Memory distortion refers to the ways our memories can be inaccurate or altered over time. Schemas (pre-existing mental frameworks), source amnesia (forgetting the origin of a memory), and choice-supportive bias (remembering past choices as better than they actually were) are all well-documented factors that contribute to how memories can be reconstructed and distorted. Therefore, all listed options contribute to this phenomenon.

Decide how Freud's stages of psychosexual development should be defined.

Answer: An explanation of personality which rests on the idea that humans go through phases, beginning in infancy through adulthood, in which we are fixated on certain body parts.

Sigmund Freud's theory of psychosexual development proposes that personality develops through a series of stages (oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital), each characterized by a focus on a different erogenous zone. Fixation at any stage, due to unresolved conflicts, can lead to specific personality traits in adulthood. This theory explains personality development as a progression through these biologically driven phases.

What kind of therapy promotes patients coming up with their own solutions to issues?

Answer: Client-centered

Client-centered therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, is a humanistic approach that emphasizes the client's capacity for self-direction and growth. The therapist provides a supportive, non-judgmental environment, fostering empathy and unconditional positive regard, which empowers clients to explore their feelings, gain self-understanding, and ultimately discover their own solutions to problems. The focus is on the client's inherent ability to heal and grow.

Which of the following statements most accurately sums up humanistic psychology?

Answer: Client-centered therapy that helps individuals reach their full potential.

Humanistic psychology emphasizes the inherent goodness of people and their drive towards self-actualization, or reaching their full potential. Client-centered therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, is a core humanistic approach that focuses on providing a supportive environment for individuals to explore their feelings and achieve personal growth.

Which of the following therapies is appropriate?

Answer: All of the answers are correct

Family, relationship, and group therapies are all recognized and effective forms of psychotherapy. Each addresses different dynamics and needs, from improving communication within a family unit to providing peer support in a group setting, making 'All of the answers are correct' the appropriate choice.

Give two suggestions for a therapist to follow in order to improve patient outcomes.

Answer: Be warm and empathetic

A warm and empathetic approach is crucial for building a strong therapeutic alliance, which is a key predictor of positive patient outcomes. When therapists are empathetic, patients feel understood and safe, fostering trust and openness essential for effective treatment. This contrasts with detached or forceful approaches that can hinder progress.

During insulin-shock therapy, a patient experiences .

Answer: Coma

Insulin-shock therapy, a historical and largely abandoned psychiatric treatment, involved injecting patients with large doses of insulin to induce a hypoglycemic coma. The coma was the intended physiological response, believed by some to alleviate symptoms of mental illness, particularly schizophrenia.

Which action is most likely to make the temporal lobe bigger?

Answer: Playing the trumpet every day.

The brain exhibits plasticity, meaning its structure can change in response to experience and learning. Playing a musical instrument like the trumpet heavily engages auditory processing, motor skills, and memory, which can lead to increased grey matter density and connectivity in relevant brain regions, including the temporal lobe responsible for auditory processing.

Which neurotransmitter may have low levels if anxiety and depression are present?

Answer: Serotonin

Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter heavily involved in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and social behavior. Low levels of serotonin are frequently associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression, making it a common target for antidepressant medications.

Serotonin controls .

Answer: Appetite and mood

Serotonin is a crucial neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in various bodily functions, including the regulation of mood, sleep, digestion, and appetite. Imbalances in serotonin levels are frequently linked to mood disorders like depression and anxiety, highlighting its importance in these areas.