requiring a person to think critically about an argu-
ment; usually results in stable change of attitudes.Central tendency—average or most typical scores of
a set of research data or distribution.
Central trait—a general characteristic that shapes
much of our behavior (according to Allport).
Cerebellum—part of the brainstem that controls
posture, equilibrium, and movement.
Cerebral cortex—convoluted part of forebrain that is
the center for higher order processes such as think-
ing, planning, judgment; receives and processes
sensory information and directs movement.
Chaining—an operant conditioning technique used
to teach complex behaviors; a number of behaviors
must be done successively before the reward is
given.
Chromosome—structure in the nucleus of cells that
contains genes determined by DNA sequences.
Chunking—grouping information into meaningful
units; expands the capacity of short-term memory
beyond seven unrelated bits of information.
Circadian rhythms—daily patterns of changes that
cycle approximately every 24 hours such as the
sleep/wake cycle.
Classical conditioning—learning which takes place
when two or more stimuli are presented together;
unconditioned stimulus is paired repeatedly with a
neutral stimulus until it acquires the capacity to
elicit a similar response.
Client-centered or person-centered therapy—
humanistic therapy introduced by Carl Rogers in
which the client rather than the therapist directs
the treatment process.
Clinical depression—also called major depression,
characterized by persistent and severe feelings
of sadness (dysphoria) and worthlessness
accompanied by changes in appetite, sleeping, and
behavior.
Clinical psychologists—psychologists who evaluate
and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral
disorders.
Cochlea—snail-shaped, fluid-filled tube in the inner
ear with hair cells on the basilar membrane that
transduce mechanical energy of vibrating mole-
cules to the electrochemical energy of neural
impulses.
Cognition—all the mental activities associated
with thinking, knowing, and remembering
information.
Cognitive approach—psychological perspective con-
cerned with how we receive, store, and process
information; think/reason; and use language.
Cognitive dissonance—according to Festinger, the
theory that changes in attitudes can be motivated
by an unpleasant state of tension caused by a dis-
parity between a person’s beliefs or attitudes and
behavior.
Cognitive illusion—systematic way of thinking that
is responsible for an error in judgment.
Cognitive learning—a type of learning that involves
mental events, problem solving, and rule
formation.
Cognitive map—a mental picture of the layout of
one’s environment.
Cognitive restructuring—cognitive therapy in
which clients discuss their fears and are led to
change their attitudes and beliefs about the situa-
tions that frighten them.
Cognitive therapy—therapy that teaches people
more adaptive ways of thinking and acting in order
to eliminate maladaptive thinking and emotional
reactions.
Cognitive triad—Beck’s cognitive therapy which
looks at what people think about their Self, their
World, and their Future.
Cohort—group of people in one age group.
Cohort effect—observed group differences based on
the era when people were born and grew up expos-
ing them to particular experiences which may
affect results of cross-sectional studies.
Cohort-sequential—research design that combines
aspects of cross-sectional and longitudinal research
to correct for cohort effect.
Collective unconscious—according to Jung, the
powerful and influential system of the psyche that
contains universal memories and ideas that all
people have inherited from our ancestors over the
course of evolution.
Collectivism—primary identification of an individ-
ual as a member of a group (family, school, com-
pany, community) and goals of the group as one’s
goals.
Color blindness—sex-linked trait more common in
males where individual cannot see certain colors,
most often red and green.
Compliance—modification of our behavior at
another person’s request.
Compulsion—an irresistible impulse to repeat some
action over and over although it serves no useful
purpose.Glossary Ü 317