Psychology 101 Flashcards

Which statistical measure describes the spread of scores around the mean by averaging the squared deviations?

Answer: Variance

Variance is the average of squared deviations from the mean; standard deviation is its square root.

The concept of 'learned helplessness,' developed by Martin Seligman, describes:

Answer: Passive acceptance of negative outcomes after repeated uncontrollable failures

Seligman found that animals (and humans) exposed to unavoidable aversive events stop trying to escape even when escape becomes possible.

Which part of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response?

Answer: Sympathetic division

The sympathetic division accelerates heart rate, dilates pupils, and prepares the body for emergency action.

According to social learning theory, Albert Bandura's Bobo doll experiments showed that children learn aggressive behavior primarily through:

Answer: Observation and imitation of a model

Children who watched an adult model act aggressively toward the Bobo doll were significantly more likely to replicate that behavior.

Which measure of central tendency is most resistant to the influence of extreme outliers?

Answer: Median

The median is determined by rank order, so a single extreme value cannot dramatically shift it the way it would the mean.

The DSM-5 is primarily used in psychology and psychiatry to:

Answer: Classify and diagnose mental disorders based on symptom criteria

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, provides standardized diagnostic criteria for mental health conditions.

Which ethical principle requires that research participants understand the nature of a study and voluntarily agree to participate before the study begins?

Answer: Informed consent

Informed consent ensures participants know what they are agreeing to, protecting their autonomy before any research procedures begin.