Psychology 101 Flashcards

Piaget's stage of cognitive development characterized by object permanence and symbolic thinking emerging around age 2 is called:

Answer: Sensorimotor stage

The sensorimotor stage (birth to ~2 years) ends with the acquisition of object permanence and the beginning of symbolic representation.

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

Answer: Projection

Projection involves unconsciously attributing one's own threatening impulses or feelings onto someone else.

The bystander effect refers to the phenomenon where:

Answer: Individuals are less likely to help in an emergency when others are present

Diffusion of responsibility causes each bystander to feel less personally obligated to intervene as group size increases.

Which brain structure serves as the brain's relay station, routing sensory signals (except smell) to the appropriate cortical areas?

Answer: Thalamus

The thalamus acts as a sensory switchboard, directing incoming information to the correct cortical region for processing.

In classical conditioning, 'extinction' refers to:

Answer: The gradual weakening of a conditioned response when the CS is repeatedly presented without the UCS

Extinction occurs when the conditioned stimulus no longer predicts the unconditioned stimulus, causing the conditioned response to diminish.

Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs places which category at the very top (highest level)?

Answer: Self-actualization

Self-actualization — realizing one's full potential — sits at the apex of Maslow's five-level pyramid.

Which sleep stage is most strongly associated with vivid dreaming and muscle atonia?

Answer: REM sleep

REM (rapid eye movement) sleep features vivid dreams and temporary paralysis of voluntary muscles, likely to prevent acting out dreams.