G-2 GLOSSARY
applied behavior analysis (ABA) modern term for a form of functional
analysis and behavior modification that uses a variety of behavioral tech-
niques to mold a desired behavior or response.
applied psychology the use of psychological concepts in solving real-world
problems.
applied research research focused on finding practical solutions to real-
world problems.
approach–approach conflict conflict occurring when a person must choose
between two desirable goals.
approach–avoidance conflict conflict occurring when a person must
choose or not choose a goal that has both positive and negative aspects.
arbitrary inference distortion of thinking in which a person draws a con-
clusion that is not based on any evidence.
archetypes Jung’s collective, universal human memories.
arousal theory theory of motivation in which people are said to have
an optimal (best or ideal) level of tension that they seek to maintain by
increasing or decreasing stimulation.
association areas areas within each lobe of the cortex responsible for the
coordination and interpretation of information, as well as higher mental
processing.
attachment the emotional bond between an infant and the primary
caregiver.
attitude a tendency to respond positively or negatively toward a certain
person, object, idea, or situation.
attribution the process of explaining one’s own behavior and the behavior
of others.
attribution theory the theory of how people make attributions.
auditory canal short tunnel that runs from the pinna to the eardrum.
auditory nerve bundle of axons from the hair cells in the inner ear.
authenticity the genuine, open, and honest response of the therapist to the
client.
authoritarian parenting style of parenting in which parent is rigid and
overly strict, showing little warmth to the child.
authoritative parenting style of parenting in which parent combines
warmth and affection with firm limits on a child’s behavior.
autobiographical memory the memory for events and facts related to one’s
personal life story.
automatic encoding tendency of certain kinds of information to enter long-
term memory with little or no effortful encoding.
autonomic nervous system (ANS) division of the PNS consisting of nerves
that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands.
availability heuristic estimating the frequency or likelihood of an event
based on how easy it is to recall relevant information from memory or
how easy it is for us to think of related examples.
aversion therapy form of behavioral therapy in which an undesirable
behavior is paired with an aversive stimulus to reduce the frequency of
the behavior.
avoidance–avoidance conflict conflict occurring when a person must
choose between two undesirable goals.
axon tubelike structure of a neuron that carries the neural message from the
cell body to the axon terminals for communication with other cells.
axon terminals enlarged ends of axonal branches of the neuron, specialized
for communication between cells.
basal metabolic rate (BMR) the rate at which the body burns energy when
the organism is resting.
basic anxiety anxiety created when a child is born into the bigger and more
powerful world of older children and adults.basic research research focused on adding information to the scientific
knowledge base.
behavioral genetics field of study devoted to discovering the genetic bases
for personality characteristics.
behaviorism the science of behavior that focuses on observable behavior
only.
behavior modification or applied behavior analysis the use of learning
techniques to modify or change undesirable behavior and increase desir-
able behavior.
behavior therapies action therapies based on the principles of classical and
operant conditioning and aimed at changing disordered behavior without
concern for the original causes of such behavior.
benevolent sexism acceptance of positive stereotypes of males and females
that leads to unequal treatment.
benzodiazepines drugs that lower anxiety and reduce stress.
beta waves smaller and faster brain waves, typically indicating mental
activity.
bilateral anterior cingulotomy psychosurgical technique in which an elec-
trode wire is inserted into the anterior cingulate gyrus, with the guidance
of magnetic resonance imaging, to destroy a very small portion of that
brain area with electric current.
bimodal condition in which a distribution has two modes.
bimodal distribution frequency distribution in which there are two high
points rather than one.
binge-eating disorder a condition in which a person overeats, or binges, on
enormous amounts of food at one sitting, but unlike bulimia nervosa, the
individual does not then purge or use other unhealthy methods to avoid
weight gain.
binocular cues cues for perceiving depth based on both eyes.
binocular disparity binocular depth perception cue; the difference in
images between the two eyes, which is greater for objects that are close
and smaller for distant objects.
bioethics the study of ethical and moral issues brought about by new
advances in biology and medicine.
biofeedback using feedback about biological conditions to bring involun-
tary responses, such as blood pressure and relaxation, under voluntary
control.
biological model model of explaining thinking or behavior as caused by bio-
logical changes in the chemical, structural, or genetic systems of the body.
biological preparedness referring to the tendency of animals to learn cer-
tain associations, such as taste and nausea, with only one or few pairings
due to the survival value of the learning.
biological psychology or behavioral neuroscience branch of neuroscience
that focuses on the biological bases of psychological processes, behavior,
and learning.
biomedical therapies therapies that directly affect the biological func-
tioning of the body and brain; therapies for mental disorders in which a
person with a problem is treated with biological or medical methods to
relieve symptoms.
biopsychological perspective perspective that attributes human and ani-
mal behavior to biological events occurring in the body, such as genetic
influences, hormones, and the activity of the nervous system.
biopsychosocial model perspective in which abnormal thinking or
behavior is seen as the result of the combined and interacting forces of
biological, psychological, social, and cultural influences.
bipolar disorder periods of mood that may range from normal to manic,
with or without episodes of depression (bipolar I disorder), or spans of
normal mood interspersed with episodes of major depression and epi-
sodes of hypomania (bipolar II disorder).Z03_CICC7961_05_SE_GLOS.indd 2 9/3/16 12:59 AM